To enable 4 players on your Nintendo Switch, you will need a minimum of 4 individual Joy-Cons. This setup allows each player to use one Joy-Con (either a left or right Joy-Con) as their personal controller, which is supported by many multiplayer games.
Understanding Joy-Con Usage for Multiple Players
The Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons offer flexible control options for multiplayer gaming. Each Joy-Con unit (Left or Right) can function as a standalone controller when held horizontally, or a pair can be combined into a single, traditional-style controller by attaching them to a Joy-Con grip.
Minimum Requirement (One Joy-Con per Player):
For 4 players, the most common and often sufficient setup involves each player using one individual Joy-Con.
- Total Joy-Cons needed: 4 Joy-Cons (e.g., two sets of Joy-Cons, as each set typically includes one Left and one Right Joy-Con).
- This approach is supported by the versatility of the Joy-Cons, where even with only 1 Joy-Con grip in use, up to 7 people can play simultaneously, indicating that individual Joy-Cons can effectively serve as separate controllers for multiple players.
Preferred Setup (Joy-Con Grip per Player):
If each of your 4 players prefers a more traditional controller feel by combining a left and right Joy-Con into a Joy-Con grip, then the total number of Joy-Cons required increases:
- Total Joy-Cons needed: 8 Joy-Cons (4 pairs of Joy-Cons, as each Joy-Con grip requires one Left and one Right Joy-Con).
- Nintendo's support information indicates that when 4 Joy-Con grips are in use, up to 4 people can play, meaning each player uses their own dedicated grip.
Controller Configurations for 4 Players
Here's a breakdown of the Joy-Con requirements for 4 players based on the preferred controller setup:
| Scenario | Joy-Cons Required (Individual Units) | Joy-Con Grips Required | Players Supported |
|---|---|---|---|
| Each player uses one individual Joy-Con | 4 (1 per player) | 0 | 4 |
| Each player uses a Joy-Con pair in a grip | 8 (2 per player) | 4 | 4 |
It's important to note that while 4 individual Joy-Cons is the minimum to enable 4 players in many games, some specific titles or game modes might require a full Joy-Con pair or a Pro Controller for each player, or offer a more optimal experience with them. Always check the specific game's controller compatibility.
For more information on setting up and using controllers with your Nintendo Switch, you can visit the official Nintendo Support page.
