Nintendo Launches New Charging Stand for Switch Controllers
Nintendo continues to surprise fans with new releases, including Princess Zelda as a playable character in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, the upcoming revival of the Mario & Luigi RPG series, and now the debut of the first official Switch Joy-Con charging stand.
If you’ve been eagerly awaiting an official charging stand for your Nintendo Switch controllers, your prayers have been answered. The Joy-Con Two-Way Charging Stand by Nintendo is now available for purchase at $30 from various retailers.
Nintendo’s Two-Way Charging Stand Overview
$30
Announced in July, Nintendo’s two-way charging stand can charge your Joy-Con controllers while connected to the stand or while you’re playing. Priced at $30, the stand is available at Best Buy, Target, and GameStop. Although it’s not currently on store shelves, you can order it online for pickup at your local Best Buy within a week.
The stand essentially turns your Joy-Con controllers into a single USB-C wired controller. This release in 2024 marks the first official charging stand by Nintendo, and speculation is high about its compatibility with the rumored Nintendo Switch successor.
While this is Nintendo’s first official charging stand for Joy-Con controllers, the company previously released the now-discontinued Joy-Con Charging Grip in 2017. This new two-way option replaces the grip with a stand for added convenience.
For those interested in the original Joy-Con Charging Grip, a preowned version is available at GameStop for $20. Alternatively, you can purchase a new Japanese edition on Amazon for $32, compatible with North American Joy-Con controllers.
But Nintendo’s charging stand is not the only option for Joy-Con controllers on the market.
Officially Licensed Charging Stations
Several third-party charging stations for Joy-Con controllers are available, but only a few carry the official Nintendo seal of approval. Options include PowerA’s Joy-Con Charging Dock for $20 on Amazon, capable of charging four controllers simultaneously, and Hori’s charging station, also supporting four controllers, for $30.
When choosing a charging stand this holiday season, you’ll need to decide between the convenience of charging four controllers at once or the flexibility of playing while charging two controllers.
Considerations for Gift Giving
Nintendo’s Two-Way Charging Stand is expected to be a popular holiday gift due to its practicality. It may be one of the most common accessories gifted alongside new consoles. Nintendo has also released two holiday bundles this year, offering the Nintendo Switch OLED bundled with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and 12 months of Switch Online for $350, or the regular Switch console with the same bundle for $300.
For additional controllers to pair with your new charging stand, Walmart is offering the Neon Red/Blue Joy-Con for $65 and the Neon Purple/Orange for $66.
While Joy-Con controllers are ideal for many multiplayer games, there are alternative controllers available. Check out our list of the best Nintendo Switch controllers in 2024, featuring Nintendo’s Pro Controller and 8BitDo’s Bluetooth Ultimate Controller for TV play, as well as Hori’s Split Pad Pro and CRKD’s Nitro Deck for portable gaming.