Switch Firmware 3.0.0 Out, Adds “Find Controllers” Feature

person holding a switch with neon joy-cons

Last night, Nintendo rolled out Switch system version 3.0.0 to all users. The update provided a number of nifty features, most notable of which being a new “Find Controllers” feature, where the console will ping any connected controllers using vibration—surely to be of use for those of us who tend to misplace our Joy-Cons.

Other updates includes the ability to update any connected controllers, the ability to register to a particular game’s channel to receive news updates on that game, and some new Splatoon 2 avatars to use for your profile. You can check out the full changelog below:

Added the following system functionality

  • Register a channel to receive News for specific games
  • Add friends from your Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Friend Lists
    • To add friends, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Friend Suggestions
  • Receive notifications when your Friends go online
    • To turn this ON/OFF, head to System Settings > Notifications > Friend Notifications
  • Find paired controllers within communication range by activating the vibration feature
  • Change the user icon order on the Home Menu
    • To change order, head to System Settings > Users > Change Order
  • Select from 6 new Splatoon 2 characters for user icon
    • To edit your user icon, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Profile
  • Change the system volume from the Quick Settings
  • Lower the maximum volume for headphone or speakers connected to the audio jack
    • To lower the max headphone volume, head to System Settings > System > Lower Max Headphone Volume
      * This settings will be ON when Parental Controls are enabled
  • Change display colors to Invert Colors or Grayscale
    • To use this feature, head to System Settings > System > Change Display Colors
  • Use the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller via wired communication by connecting the USB charging cable
    • To enable, head to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Pro Controller Wired Communication
      * The NFC touchpoint on the Pro Controller will be disabled while the controller is using wired communication.
  • Update connected controllers
  • Added a feature that suggests deletion of software data if there is insufficient space when downloading other software
    • To use this feature, head to System Settings > Data Management > Quick Archive
      * User save data is not deleted

General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience, including:

  • Resolved an issue that caused game software updates to fail and prevented the software from starting
  • Improvements to prevent unintended HDMI input change with certain TVs while the console is docked in Sleep Mode

One of the added features, the ability to use the Switch Pro Controller via wired communication, is of most interest to me. I’m wondering if that would reduce input latency, which would make a world of difference for serious Ultra Street Fighter II and Pokkén Tournament DX players. I’m sure someone will run some tests to see if that makes a difference.

About Nick Chevalier 304 Articles
Nick Chevalier is a gamer and writer doing what he loves. When not working his two day jobs or gaming, he can usually be found daydreaming about all the games he doesn't have time to play. Chat with him via Twitter @NickChevalier.