Nintendo designed a Playdate-like crank for the Switch 2<p>Nintendo has eyed adding a <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:1;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playdate/">Playdate-style[/url] crank to the <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:2;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-review-more-of-what-you-love-120048430.html">Switch 2[/url], according to a recently spotted patent from <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:3;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="
https://bsky.app/profile/ninpatentswatch.bsky.social/post/3lvtbv7atlk2l">Nintendo Patents Watch[/url]. The hypothetical accessory would add tracking rotational movement to an existing bag of Joy-Con 2 controller tricks that includes motion and mouse controls. </p>
<p>Based on the patent application, the crank accessory attaches to the side of a Joy-Con 2 magnetically, not unlike the controllers' wrist straps. Whichever game supports the accessory can use the Joy-Con 2's mouse sensor to track the rotations of the crank as an input. Fishing games or games with dedicated fishing mini-games, like <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:4;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="
https://www.engadget.com/2020-03-16-animal-crossing-new-horizons-review-switch.html">
Animal Crossing: New Horizons[/url]
, seem like the obvious contenders for an accessory like this, but knowing Nintendo there are weirder possibilities, too. </p>
<span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><figure><img src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-08/1bdc5c10-7499-11f0-bdef-f2560c50841f" data-crop-orig-src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-08/1bdc5c10-7499-11f0-bdef-f2560c50841f" style="height:1440px;width:2560px;" alt="A patent illustration that shows what looks like a click wheel attachment on a Joy-Con 2 controller." data-uuid="5bb09aa7-b3db-3b1f-8e5e-03561f1d714b"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Nintendo</div></figure>
<p>Another patent imagines a similar setup being used for a clickable wheel. The patent illustrations looks like a lighter, but the accessory could just as easily be used while dragging a Joy-Con 2 along a surface. It might even add extra resistance or friction to the <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:5;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-switch-2s-joy-cons-can-double-as-mouse-like-controllers-133355339.html">Switch 2's mouse controls[/url].</p>
<p>Given that these are patent applications, there's no guarantee Nintendo plans on turning either of them into real products. Still, they're a glimpse at the Switch 2's untapped potential for supporting goofy accessories, something that defined a good portion of the Wii's lifespan. </p>
<p>The wildest Nintendo got with the original Switch was <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:6;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="
https://www.engadget.com/2018-02-01-nintendo-labo-hands-on.html">Nintendo Labo[/url], cardboard accessories that turned the console into everything from <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:7;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="
https://www.engadget.com/2019-05-02-nintendo-labo-vr-review-cardboard.html">a VR headset[/url] to a simple fishing rod. A crank might be the first of several adventurous accessories for Nintendo's new console.</p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-designed-a-playdate-like-crank-for-the-switch-2-211420947.html?src=rssSource:
Nintendo designed a Playdate-like crank for the Switch 2
