I'm planning to design my own version of a Nintendo Switch 2 pro controller for several reasons. I want to incorporate higher quality joysticks, improve the feel of the case, and add some weight to it—all while learning along the way. My main question is whether there's a public source for the software or firmware that allows a controller to interact with and pair to a Switch. I believe the communication happens over Bluetooth, so I'm considering intercepting signals between genuine controllers and the console to understand the structure. Is it feasible to reverse engineer the signaling? If this isn't the right place for my question, I apologize!
2 Answers
While it’s true that it might cost more upfront, the learning experience could be invaluable. Plus, acquiring tools that you'll use for future projects will make it worth the investment. On Bluetooth, yes, most signals are encrypted. The controllers typically involve some kind of rotating authentication key during the pairing handshake, meaning just copying the signal directly won’t work. However, you might be able to sniff packets and replicate them with the right setup! Regarding the case, buying third-party options is totally fine, and using something like a Raspberry Pi for the inside is a great idea, as long as you're comfortable with that. Letting go of micro soldering could save you a lot of stress!
I'm pretty sure there aren't any publicly available repositories for the firmware at the moment. It’s possible someone might release open source firmware in the future, though. As for actually constructing the case and the controller itself, it can be quite a challenge. If you're asking advice on this, it often means you might need some experience first—they say if you have to ask, you might not be ready yet. A more practical approach could be modifying existing controllers by changing out the joysticks or adding weight. You'll likely end up spending more trying to develop your own than just customizing a few off-the-shelf models.