According to Eurogamer, a major new study by the British consumer group “Which?” has found evidence that the Nintendo Switch’s infamous Joy-Con handle rocker drift is likely caused by a mechanical malfunction, indicating a fundamental design flaw.
The study found that despite only a few months of use, the Joy-Con’s plastic circuit boards showed noticeable wear at the joystick slider contact points, and it was this wear that ultimately led to stick drift.
In addition, dust and other contaminants were found in the Switch’s internal components, although Nintendo has tried to keep the above-mentioned areas dust-proof by design, indicating that it is not effective in dust-proofing.
The group called on Nintendo to offer a compensation or refund scheme to any UK consumer who can prove they have bought replacement Joy-Con controllers due to drifting since 2017, saying the scheme should be widely rolled out.
The group also called for Nintendo to offer a completely free “hassle-free” repair or replacement for all Joy-Cons that have drifted since 2017.
In response to the study, Nintendo issued the following statement: “While a small percentage of Joy-Con joystick drift has been reported in the past, we have continued to improve the Joy-Con joystick since its introduction in 2017. .We expect all of our hardware to perform as designed, and, if something does not meet this goal, we always encourage consumers to contact Nintendo’s customer support, who will be happy to openly and leniently resolve any issues with Consumer issues related to joysticks for Joy-Con controllers, including where the warranty may no longer apply.”
If your Joy-Con is drifting, the first point of contact should be Nintendo Customer Support, and they may repair your stick for free, including shipping.
Which? also released a report earlier this year that said two out of five of Nintendo’s original Switch Joy-Cons had drift issues.
The problem surrounding Joy-Con rocker drift has been going on for several years. In 2019, the United States filed a class action lawsuit against Nintendo on this issue. Last year, the European Commission stated that it was considering launching an investigation.
