I have to ask… why? The only device I’ve connected to hardwired Ethernet is a desktop PC in the same room as my router. I’ve not used ethernet for any portable device for eons. Why would you need it?
Because they’ve been standard for literally decades and Nintendo has released/probably will continue to release games that depend on streaming, such as Kingdom Hearts, which is unplayable over wifi.
Latency on wireless controllers isn’t a big deal (and a lot of Smash players are using wired Gamecube controllers anyway), but it’s not a big deal on wi-fi either. The problem with wi-fi is packet loss and not being able to send and receive at the same time, which feels like latency in fits and starts, because it has to wait until the packet sends successfully. Ethernet helps with Smash, but it still sorely needs rollback netcode regardless. Even on a wire, you’re still on delay-based netcode.
they do use bluetooth. However, it should be noted that not all BT devices are created equally. Check out this table from RTINGS.com of reviews of wireless bluetooth headsets. You can see that the very worst headsets have 300+ milliseconds of latency, while the very best have almost 0 ms of latency. I imagine that the Joycons hit a similarly low latency.
I have to ask… why? The only device I’ve connected to hardwired Ethernet is a desktop PC in the same room as my router. I’ve not used ethernet for any portable device for eons. Why would you need it?
For a TV console? For better download speeds and more consistent connection for online gaming
WiFi works okay but it can’t have cost that much to put an Ethernet port into the switch dock
Because they’ve been standard for literally decades and Nintendo has released/probably will continue to release games that depend on streaming, such as Kingdom Hearts, which is unplayable over wifi.
Also more reliable MP/faster speeds.
Smash players are real serious about their latency
I’m not sure if you’re serious (I don’t do consoles, so if that was sarcasm it’s lost on me), but does that mean they use a wired pro controller too?
Latency on wireless controllers isn’t a big deal (and a lot of Smash players are using wired Gamecube controllers anyway), but it’s not a big deal on wi-fi either. The problem with wi-fi is packet loss and not being able to send and receive at the same time, which feels like latency in fits and starts, because it has to wait until the packet sends successfully. Ethernet helps with Smash, but it still sorely needs rollback netcode regardless. Even on a wire, you’re still on delay-based netcode.
Don’t the Joycons use Bluetooth, which are pretty laggy on their own? I know I absolutely do not like using BT mice.
they do use bluetooth. However, it should be noted that not all BT devices are created equally. Check out this table from RTINGS.com of reviews of wireless bluetooth headsets. You can see that the very worst headsets have 300+ milliseconds of latency, while the very best have almost 0 ms of latency. I imagine that the Joycons hit a similarly low latency.