Nintendo Switch 2 HD Rumble is much quieter than the often-annoying OG Joy-Con vibrations
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The Nintendo Switch 2 HD Rumble feature was revealed alongside its specs and launch games as an improved, more precise version of the original handheld. In a recent website update, the company has revealed one of the most exciting improvements for me: the HD rumble won’t be as damn loud as the original Joy-Cons.
Spotted by VGC, Nintendo has confirmed that the HD Rumble feature is now a lot quieter than the original Switch. In a list of games that either require the original Joy-Con or play better with them, Nintendo confirmed that the new controllers will have quieter vibrations overall.
Nintendo Switch 2 HD rumble won’t be as damn loud
In the list of games, Nintendo explains that the games like 1-2 Switch and Everybody 1-2-Switch will play differently on the new handheld due to the more subtle vibrations of HD Rumble 2.0.
Games like Joy-Con Hide & Seek, a game where you have to hide the controller somewhere in the room and listen to the vibrations to find it, may be harder on account of the quieter volume. Oh well, who’s playing that anyway?
“The volume of the Joy-Con 2 controllers’ force feedback vibrations has been reduced compared to the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers,” Nintendo explained. “So it may be more difficult to find hidden Joy-Con 2 in the minigame Joy-Con Hide & Seek.”
Personally, while first-party Nintendo games typically used the feature well, such as Super Mario Odyssey, quick ports to the platform resulted in extremely loud, almost-violent vibrations from the system. As someone who’s recently been replaying BioShock on the Nintendo Switch OLED in bed next to my sleeping partner, the vibrations can be rather infuriating.
While the volume of the handheld’s powerful vibrations may be lower, Nintendo has described the new feature is, generally, more powerful. However, perhaps better casing for the controllers’ powerful motors mean they won’t be used as an unintentional alarm clock during your partner’s cheeky 6:00 AM gaming sessions.
For more Nintendo Switch 2 coverage, read about how Nintendo has vastly underestimated demand for the system, or how the console’s hype is causing MicroSD cards to sell out. Additionally, read CD Projekt Red’s thoughts on why the new Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077 is the best way to play the game on the go.
