After seven years of relying on the Switch console itself or third-party options to keep Joy-Con controllers juiced, Nintendo is finally entering the Joy-Con charging station arena with its own official offering. Announced for an October 17th release, the Nintendo Joy-Con Charging Stand (Two-Way) arrives a bit late to the party for some Switch owners, but it does bring a few unique features to the table.

For many Switch gamers, a dedicated Joy-Con charging station has been a dream since the console’s 2017 launch. Unlike most modern wireless controllers that can be topped up with a standard USB-C cable, the Joy-Con’s design requires them to be physically connected to the Switch console for charging. This has limited players who want to keep multiple pairs of Joy-Cons powered up for extended gaming sessions or multiplayer battles.

Third-party manufacturers have filled the gap with various charging station options, but Nintendo’s official entry comes with a twist: the ability to charge not only Joy-Cons, but also the company’s retro wireless NES and Famicom gamepads. This caters to players who enjoy revisiting classic titles on the Switch through Nintendo Switch Online.

The timing of this announcement is a bit curious, however. With the original Switch nearing the end of its lifecycle and rumors swirling about a potential Switch successor arriving next year, some might question the necessity of a first-party charging station at this point.

Regardless, the Joy-Con Charging Stand (Two-Way) offers functionality that wasn’t previously available from Nintendo. The stand itself can hold two Joy-Cons at a time and draws power from either the Switch dock’s USB-C port or any other compatible power adapter. For added portability, the vertical support can be detached, making it easier to take on the go.

Pricing details haven’t been revealed yet, but Nintendo has confirmed the charging stand will be available in North America, joining previously announced releases in Europe and Japan. While it may be a case of “better late than never,” Nintendo’s official Joy-Con charging station offers a welcome option for Switch owners who crave a more convenient way to keep their controllers powered up.