The Nintendo Switch 2 is getting some extra buttons with specific set-ups, like the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip and Pro Controller 2. The GL and GR buttons, as they’re called, add extra buttons on the underside of the Switch’s handles, and Nintendo has shared some examples of just how easy it will be to do so.
As shared on the Nintendo Today app, the new buttons are remappable and can be set to any button on the controller. This means anything from a face or shoulder button to, quite possibly, the screenshot button. No more moving that left thumb over for quick screenshots.
According to Nintendo’s update, the system will “remember each user’s button assignments for each game they play.” This could make it easy to set up game-specific, maybe even user-specific, mappings for GR and GL.
To assign these buttons out, just press and hold the HOME Button while playing a game to access quick settings, and then key in your button on the GR/GL settings. This might not help at the time of this writing, as the Switch 2 is still a few weeks away. But if you’re here from the future, you’re welcome for the tip! It all seems pretty quick and easy to set, and the per-game functionality is nice to see.
It’s important to note that this particular Switch 2 functionality only works with the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip and Pro Controller 2, at least at this time. The base Joy-Con 2’s don’t have GR and GL buttons on the underside. Both of these accessories are sold separately from the base Switch 2 console and its Mario Kart World bundle, and both got a price bump due to the current trade situation.
It won’t be long now until the June 5 release date for the Nintendo Switch 2, as it debuts with Mario Kart World and several Switch 2 versions of Switch 1 favorites, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Digital Foundry recently revealed the tech specs for NIntendo’s upcoming hybrid handheld console, and its report expressed some concerns over GameChat’s effect on performance. You can read more about that here.
Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.
