Nintendo has announced its own standalone charger for the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers, releasing on October 17. It’s an accessory that many Switch gamers would have welcomed with open arms when the handheld launched seven years ago, and while third-party alternatives have long been offered, Nintendo’s comes with some added flexibility.
Unlike most wireless controllers, which can be charged with a USB-C cable, the Nintendo Joy-Con and the company’s retro wireless NES and Famicom gamepads can only be charged while connected to the Switch. A separate charger would make it easier to power more than two Joy-Con controllers, so it’s an odd move for the company to release an accessory like this with the original Switch coming to an end and a successor expected to be unveiled early next year.
Nintendo’s Joy-Con Charging Stand (Two-Way) accessory can hold two controllers at once, and draws power from the Switch dock’s USB-C port or another power adapter. The charger’s vertical stand is also removable, improving portability.
Nintendo has not yet announced a price for the accessory. The edge has also reached out to the company to confirm that the charging station will be available in North America. So far, it has only been announced in Europe and Japan.