The internet has a funny way of hyper-focusing on the weirdest details. Right now, it's a "fish." Or a button that looks like a fish. Honestly, if you’ve been following the breadcrumbs of the Nintendo Switch 2 leaks, you know that the hype train has officially left the station and is currently hurtling toward a very specific, very strange hardware rumor.
Let's be real. We are all desperate for news. Nintendo has been quiet—unusually quiet—about the successor to the most successful handheld in history. But then, a series of manufacturing leaks from shipping manifests and factory renders started circulating on forums like Famiboards and Reddit’s r/GamingLeaksAndRumors. Amidst the talk of 12GB of RAM and NVIDIA’s T239 chip, people spotted it. A mystery input. A toggle. The Switch 2 fish button.
It sounds ridiculous. Why would a multibillion-day company put a marine animal on their console? They wouldn't. But the shape of the internal component leaked in late 2024 has a distinct, piscene silhouette that has sent the community into a tailspin of speculation.
What is the Switch 2 fish button exactly?
First, let's clear up the "fish" part. It’s not a literal fish.
When CAD renders and blurry photos of what are claimed to be the Switch 2's inner chassis leaked, observers noticed a specific cutout on the side of the unit, near where the Joy-Cons attach. In the technical drawings, this component looks sort of like a simplified fish icon—a triangle tail attached to an oval body. To a hardware engineer, it's likely just a specific latching mechanism or a new type of sync button. To a bored gamer waiting for Metroid Prime 4, it’s a "fish button."
This isn't just a meme, though. It represents a genuine change in how the controllers interact with the console. The current Switch uses a physical rail system where you slide the Joy-Con down until it clicks. It’s mechanical. It’s also prone to wear and tear. The Switch 2 fish button is rumored to be part of the new magnetic attachment system.
If the rumors from accessory manufacturers like Mobapad are true, the Switch 2 is ditching the rails for magnets. This is a huge deal. Magnets are cleaner, but they need a way to "release" or "lock" so your expensive handheld doesn't just fall apart in your hands. That "fish-shaped" component is likely the physical release trigger or a specialized toggle for these new magnetic Joy-Cons.
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The technical reality behind the meme
People forget that Nintendo loves weird hardware quirks. Remember the "Share" button on the original Switch? It felt revolutionary for Nintendo at the time, even if Sony and Microsoft had been doing it for years.
If this new button exists, it’s probably a multi-function input. Some insiders suggest it could be a dedicated "Function" button, similar to what you see on high-end Pro controllers. Imagine being able to toggle your mic, change brightness, or even swap between handheld and "TV mode" without opening a menu. That’s the dream.
But let's look at the hardware specs that actually matter for a second. We’re looking at a jump from the old Tegra X1 to a customized NVIDIA Orin-based chip. We’re talking DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). This means the Switch 2 won’t just be a "Switch Pro"; it will be a device capable of upscaling 1080p images to 4K when docked.
The Switch 2 fish button sits right on the edge of this evolution. It’s a physical manifestation of a shift in design philosophy. Nintendo is moving away from the toy-like plastic rails of 2017 toward something that feels a bit more "Apple-esque" or premium.
Why a magnetic system needs a dedicated button
Think about the Steam Deck. Think about the ASUS ROG Ally. These are beasts, but they are bulky. Nintendo's magic trick is portability.
If you use magnets to hold controllers on, you run into a safety issue. You don't want a child—Nintendo's core demographic—accidentally snapping a Joy-Con off while playing Mario Kart. You need a lock. The Switch 2 fish button might be the "unlock" mechanism.
There’s also talk of "backward compatibility" being tied to this. If the new console uses magnets, how do your old Joy-Cons work? They probably don't. At least, not physically attached. This has caused a bit of an uproar. People have spent hundreds on specialized controllers. Nintendo knows this. There are rumors of an adapter or a specific bridge that uses—you guessed it—the same port area where this mystery button is located.
Misconceptions and the "Fish" frenzy
Let's kill some myths. No, it is not a dedicated button for Animal Crossing fishing. I’ve seen that on Twitter. It’s funny, but no.
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It’s also likely not a "Home" button replacement. The Home button is iconic. You don't hide that in a weird fish-shaped toggle on the side of the device.
The most realistic explanation comes from the supply chain. Companies like Hosiden, which have long-standing relationships with Nintendo, have seen increased orders for specialized tact switches. These aren't standard buttons. They are "side-actuated" switches. When you look at the schematics for these switches, they have a mounting bracket that—if you squint really hard—looks like a fish.
That’s it. That’s the mystery. It’s a mounting bracket.
But in the world of SEO and hype, "Mounting Bracket for Side-Actuated Switch" doesn't get clicks. Switch 2 fish button does. It’s a classic case of the internet taking a tiny, boring piece of industrial design and turning it into a cryptid.
What this means for the actual launch
We are likely looking at a reveal in the first half of 2026, or perhaps a late 2025 announcement depending on who you believe. The "fish button" is just one piece of a larger puzzle that includes:
- An 8-inch LCD screen (yes, LCD, not OLED initially, which is a bummer).
- Massive improvements in thermal management.
- A redesigned dock with more ports.
Nintendo is notoriously litigious and secretive. The fact that we even have a name for a button based on a leaked CAD file is proof of how high the stakes are. The original Switch saved the company after the Wii U disaster. The Switch 2 just has to not mess it up.
If the Switch 2 fish button turns out to be a dedicated "Quick Resume" button—allowing you to jump between three or four games instantly like on the Xbox Series X—it would be a game-changer. That kind of functionality requires a specific hardware interrupt, which is exactly what a dedicated side button could provide.
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Moving past the hype
It is easy to get bogged down in the minutiae. You can spend hours on Reddit looking at blurry photos of factory floors in China. But at the end of the day, the hardware is just a vessel for the software.
Whether the Switch 2 fish button is a magnetic release, a function toggle, or just a weirdly shaped bracket, it signals that Nintendo is iterating on the physical experience of gaming. They aren't just bumping the RAM; they are changing how the device feels in your hands.
Actionable Steps for the Switch 2 Wait:
- Don't sell your current Switch yet. Every indication suggests that while the new controllers might be magnetic, the software will be backward compatible. You’ll want your library ready.
- Watch the shipping manifests. If you really want the "truth" before Nintendo speaks, keep an eye on import/export data from Vietnam and China. That’s where the "fish" was first found.
- Budget for the "Pro" price. Expect a price hike. This isn't a $299 console. Between the new NVIDIA tech and the specialized hardware (like our fishy friend), $399 to $499 is the likely range.
- Ignore "confirmed" leaks on TikTok. Unless it comes from a verified supply chain analyst like Ming-Chi Kuo or a reputable outlet with actual sources, it’s just noise.
The "fish" might be a fluke of design or a stroke of genius. Either way, it’s the most interesting thing to happen to a button since the N64 put a trigger on the bottom of a controller. We’ll know for sure when Nintendo finally decides to stop being the most mysterious company in Kyoto. Until then, keep an eye on the side rails. The future of handheld gaming is literally hanging on by a magnet and a mystery toggle.