On August 7, gaming enthusiasts worldwide took notice when Nintendo's February 2024 patent application for an innovative Joy-Con controller attachment became publicly available. This intriguing Nintendo patent reveals the company's exploration of a hand crank peripheral that could potentially revolutionize how players interact with their Switch consoles.

The proposed accessory might incorporate advanced mouse operation sensors designed to work in harmony with the Switch 2's enhanced Joy-Con technology. Current Joy-Con 2 controllers already support mouse functionality for select titles, such as the SNES classic Mario Paint available through Nintendo's Classics app. Upcoming releases including Drag X Drive (requiring mouse mode) and Metroid Prime 4: Echoes (offering it as an optional feature) will further utilize these capabilities.

While some previous Switch 2 Joy-Con accessories have received mixed reactions, this patent demonstrates Nintendo's continued commitment to controller innovation. According to GameSpot's report, the patented design would attach to the side of Joy-Con controllers, though compatibility with original Switch versus Switch 2 models remains unclear.

The most striking feature is a fully rotational hand crank that extends from the attachment. This mechanism would interact with mouse sensors, potentially creating immersive experiences for fishing games or similar activities. Notably, the design allows for detaching and reattaching the crank as needed, offering flexibility for different gaming scenarios.

While third-party fishing controllers exist, Nintendo's approach appears more versatile. The concept bears some resemblance to the Playdate handheld by Panic (publisher of Firewatch and Untitled Goose Game), which features an integrated crank for certain games.