Joy-Cons for the Nintendo Switch have a number of accessorizing options. From custom paint jobs to protective cases, there are many ways gamers can change the appearance of Joy-Cons. However, when using them with a Switch, the controllers will still appear as their original color. Not for long, if you use this simple program.
Created by GBAtemp user CTCaer, the Joy-Con Toolkit v1.3 program for Windows syncs with the Joy-Cons and overwrites the code that indicates what color it is. The process is quick and easy, and there’s even back-up functionality built into the program if you ever want to revert your Joy-Cons back to how they were.
The program can be downloaded in a zip file from right here.
Ultimately, this program doesn’t do much, but it will allow you to customize the icons on your screen when it shows your Joy-Cons are paired. While this may sound a little silly, if you have two sets of gray controllers, it’s an easy way to help differentiate between them. Also, it’s fun.
To do this, you’ll need to pair a Joy-Con to your computer via Bluetooth. If you don’t have built-in Bluetooth, you’ll need a dongle to give your computer Bluetooth.
First, you’ll want to download the Joy-Con Toolkit v1.3 program and get it installed. Once done, pair a Joy-Con to your computer and open up the program. The controller’s information should load up, showing you the serial number, firmware version and more.
Next, back up the controller before doing anything else by clicking the “Backup SPI” button. According to the video above from YouTube user Spawn Wave, this takes roughly 10 minutes, so be prepared for a bit of a wait.
Once done backing up your info, the fun part can begin. You have the ability to change both the controller body’s color as well as the buttons. Pick whichever colors you want with the color selection box that pops up, then hit the “Write Colors” button. It’s as simple as that!
From here, unpair the controller from your computer and repeat the steps above for the second Joy-Con. If you want to go crazy, you can even have the Joy-Cons be different colors. After both are the colors you want them to be, pair them back with your Switch and be amazed.
The video from Spawn Wave also mentions that the color override is saved to the Joy-Con itself, so if you pair your controllers with a friend’s Switch, your custom look will still be saved. As an added bonus, minor effects will also be modified with this trick, like the little glow that pops out from the side of the Switch screen when you click a Joy-Con into place.
So what do you think? Are you going to go change up your Joy-Cons right now? Will you customize your controllers now that you can also customize their look on your Switch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
