Nintendo Switch users baffled by new hardware dropping this year

If there’s one thing you can always rely on Nintendo to do, it’s drop a sudden announcement.

Just yesterday, the company announced the return of a beloved series after 30 years, no, not in a Nintendo Direct. Simply in a tweet on a random Wednesday afternoon.

The confirmation of a Nintendo Switch successor was much the same.

This morning, the company struck again, taking to social media to debut the latest piece of Nintendo hardware.

Nintendo Switch users will soon be able to get their hands on an official Joy-Con Charging Stand.

This is set to launch on 17 October, but pricing is not yet available.

There are already third-party alternatives. Add in the fact that the Nintendo Switch is set to be succeeded next year, it begs the question: Why is Nintendo releasing this product now?

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“Little bit later for that,” one baffled fan wrote.

“That would’ve been useful seven years ago,” said another.

The release of this charging station may offer a hint about what’s to come with the Nintendo Switch’s successor.

If Nintendo wants us to keep our Joy-Cons in tip-top shape, it suggests that the company’s next console will continue to use them.

Rumours claim that the colloquially titled Nintendo Switch 2 will feature magnetic Joy-Cons.

Charge your #NintendoSwitch Joy-Con controllers and Nintendo Entertainment System controllers with the Joy-Con Charging Stand (Two-Way) accessory, available October 17th. pic.twitter.com/ayNdvHTppL

— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) July 18, 2024

Perhaps as the pre-existing ones won’t attach in the same way then, this new hardware is how we’ll be able to keep them charged?

Of course, this is mere speculation. We’ll have to sit tight for concrete confirmation on what’s in store.

Nintendo is set to announce the Switch’s successor by the end of the fiscal year, which runs until April 2025 so the new Switch, or whatever it is titled, should be here before we know it.

Judging by supposedly leaked specs, the console will offer a major technical upgrade, finally offering Nintendo fans boosted frame rates and graphical fidelity.