Nintendo Joy-Cons
Nintendo Reveals New Switch 2 Joy-Cons with Light Purple and Light Green Colors Launching February 12 Alongside Mario Tennis Aces.
After spending seven months on the market with zero personality upgrades, the Nintendo Switch 2 is finally getting something fans have been waiting for: new Joy-Con colors. Nintendo officially revealed the update today through the Nintendo Today app, followed by posts on its social media channels. Two fresh Joy-Con 2 color options—Light Purple and Light Green—are set to launch on February 12, the same day as Mario Tennis Fever.
At first glance, these changes sounds like a small but exciting win for Switch 2 owners who have been stuck with limited customization options. And while it is a step forward, it’s also one that comes with a few disappointing compromises.
The newly announced Joy-Con 2 controllers follow the same design language as the original Switch 2 Joy-Cons. The shells remain mostly dark gray, while the color only appears as accents around the joysticks and connection rails. In other words, the color is there—but not as boldly as many fans may have hoped.
Until now, the only Joy-Con 2 color option available was the standard red and blue set that comes bundled with the console. That’s actually fewer choices than what the original Nintendo Switch launched with, which at least offered a red/blue version and an all-gray model. While this may seem like a minor issue, it becomes more noticeable in homes where multiple Switch 2 systems are being used. When everything looks the same, it’s hard to tell whose console is whose. These new colors finally offer an official way to add a bit of personality.
The new Light Purple and Light Green Joy-Cons are already available for pre-order on Nintendo’s website, but they don’t come cheap. Just like the red and blue Joy-Con 2s, the new colors are priced at a hefty $99.99. That price point reflects Nintendo’s recent trend of raising hardware costs, though it hasn’t stopped the Switch 2 from having a strong launch overall. That said, a report from last November did note that Nintendo experienced its lowest console sales in a long time, so how successful the Switch 2 truly is depends on how you look at the numbers.
Nintendo officially raised the price of Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers to $100 in August 2025, up from $94.99. While the Switch 2 console itself avoided a price increase, Nintendo raised prices across nearly its entire hardware lineup. The original Switch jumped from $299.99 to $339.99, the Switch OLED increased to $399.99, and the Switch Lite climbed to $299.99. Even Nintendo’s quirky Alarmo clock wasn’t spared, rising by $10 to $110.
Nintendo never gave a specific reason for these price hikes, but analysts largely blamed U.S. tariffs on imports from China, Japan, and Vietnam, where much of Nintendo’s manufacturing takes place.
Interestingly, the price isn’t what disappoints many fans—including me. Given the current gaming market, expensive hardware is sadly the norm. The real frustration comes from how little these new Joy-Cons actually stand out.
Like the original Switch Joy-Cons, the Switch 2 versions use a two-color design. In this case, that means a soft pastel purple and a bright aqua shade Nintendo calls “Light Green”—even though it looks more blue than green to some eyes. Despite the questionable naming, the colors themselves are genuinely appealing. Compared to the extremely saturated and sometimes clashing color combinations of the original Switch era, these new shades feel more modern and tasteful.
In fact, it took a long time for many players to warm up to any of the original Switch Joy-Con colors at all. Some fans even bought special editions—like the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch—mainly because they liked the Joy-Con colors better than the standard options. From that perspective, Light Purple and Light Green are definitely an improvement.
Unfortunately, there’s a major downside: you barely see the colors. When the Switch 2 is used in handheld mode or attached to the Joy-Con grip, the colored sections are completely hidden. What you’re left with is mostly dark gray, with just two small colored rings around the thumbsticks peeking through. For something meant to add flair, the impact is surprisingly minimal.
image credit- Nintendo Switch
So yes, if you simply need a second pair of Joy-Cons, these are a perfectly fine choice. At least they look a little different from the standard red and blue set. But for anyone hoping for the same creativity, charm, and bold design choices seen with the original Switch’s Joy-Cons, this release feels underwhelming.
The good news is that there’s a workaround—if you’re willing to spend more money. Shortly after Nintendo revealed the new colors, accessories company Dbrand announced Joy-Con skins that perfectly match the Light Purple and Light Green design. It’s not an official Nintendo solution, but as the company cheekily puts it, it “does what Nintendon’t.”
So, with all that said, are these pastel Joy-Cons worth $100? They’re stylish, subtle, and finally offer some customization—but they also feel like a missed opportunity. Still, if you’ve been desperate for something new, February 12 might be the day your Switch 2 finally gets a splash of color.