Here's the tea. You just dropped a concerning amount of money on the shiny new Nintendo Switch 2, and now you're staring at a pile of old Switch 1 accessories, wondering if they're about to enter their flop era. Are they expensive plastic paperweights now? Is your wallet about to cry?
Deep breaths. Some of your old gear is still invited to the party. But, like, on a conditional basis. It’s complicated. Let's break down what still works and what's about to be collecting dust.
Your Old Joy-Cons: Clinging to Relevancy 💅
Okay, so the most important question: your trusty old Joy-Cons. In a rare moment of mercy for our bank accounts, Nintendo decided that your original Joy-Cons can still connect and play with the Switch 2. We love to see it. This means your four-player Mario Kart nights are safe.
But here’s the gag: they can't physically attach to the new console.
The new Switch 2 has a different body-ody-ody, and the new Joy-Con 2s are larger. So your old controllers are now officially wireless-only. They can't click onto the sides of the main console for handheld mode. It's giving "you can come to my birthday party, but you have to stand outside."
How to Make Them Play Nice (When They're Feeling Shy)
Since they can't physically connect, you have to sync them wirelessly. It's not hard, but it's another step.
Step 1: Wake up your Switch 2. Please. It's tired.
Step 2: Go to the Home screen and find the "Controllers" icon. You can do it.
Step 3: Select "Change Grip/Order" to tell the console you're introducing a new friend.
Step 4: Press the tiny, easy-to-miss "Sync" button on the side of the original Joy-Con. Hold it until the little lights start flashing like they're at a rave.
Step 5: The lights will stop dancing and one will stay lit. Congrats, you did it. They're connected.
A little PSA, though. Your old Joy-Cons have some... limitations. They cannot wake the Switch 2 from sleep mode, and more importantly, they will not charge while you play. You'll need a separate charging dock or your old Switch 1 to juice them up. Your wallet just shed a single tear.
Let's Get Physical: Your Ring-Con & Leg Strap
Here's where your old Joy-Cons get their main character energy back. If you own Ring Fit Adventure or Nintendo Switch Sports, your old accessories are not just useful-they're essential.
Your Ring-Con (The Pilates Circle of Doom)
That big, squeezable ring for Ring Fit Adventure was built specifically for the original Joy-Cons. The new, chunkier Joy-Con 2s? They literally do not fit. So, if you want to keep getting your workout in, you absolutely need to keep your old controllers. Just sync one wirelessly, slide it into the Ring-Con, and you're good to go.
A tip for playing with kids: The story mode can be a legit workout. If your 5-year-old is getting frustrated trying to hold a yoga pose, just pivot to the mini-games. Smashing boxes and making pottery is way more fun, anyway.
Your Leg Strap (The Thing You Forgot You Owned)
Same story for the Leg Strap. It's designed for the original Joy-Con to slide into its little pocket for games like Switch Sports Soccer. The new Joy-Cons are too thick. To get your kick-on, you need the old gear. Make sure a grown-up helps strap it on securely, or you might accidentally yeet a controller across the room. We don't want that.
More Games Where Your Old Joy-Cons Can Shine
Your old controllers are still the life of the party for plenty of motion games.
For games like Just Dance, you only need one Joy-Con per person, so your collection is perfect for multiplayer. Pro-tip for parents: don't bother setting up a million user profiles. Just have everyone join as a "guest" on one profile to avoid the headache. Say less.
And for Nintendo Switch Sports, whether you're bowling, playing tennis, or volleyball, the original Joy-Cons work perfectly. It's still one of the best family games out there, and now you don't have to buy four new controllers for it.
A PSA For The Person Paying The Bills 💸
Listen up, grown-ups. If a kid is playing these active games, you need to be involved.
- Supervise them. Seriously. The stories we could tell about controllers flying into expensive TVs... it's a horror film.
- Set expectations. Ring Fit Adventure is a workout, not a cartoon. If your kid is getting frustrated, pivot to something else. A gaming session that ends in tears is a flop.
- Remember to charge! We can't stress this enough. Your old Joy-Cons do not charge from the new console. You need a plan. Get a dock. Find your old Switch. Something.
So, Are We Saving Money or Not?
Okay, let's be real. The fact that your old Joy-Cons, Ring-Con, and Leg Strap still work with the Switch 2 is a win. Nintendo could have forced us to rebuy everything, and they... mostly didn't. Your old gear isn't useless, but it comes with strings attached. You'll be juggling wireless connections and separate charging solutions.
But hey, you're saving a bit of cash, and that's what we call a successful vibe check. Now go enjoy the new console. You've earned it.
