The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally reaching consumers after much anticipation, and the console is better than its predecessor in multiple scenarios. However, it seems that there is a sensitive area that does not bring a big upgrade, or at least, not quite what was expected.
To recall, the Nintendo Switch was quite a phenomenon when launched and revolutionized the portable gaming segment with games that were far from the usual on mobile. One of the device’s most interesting features was the detachable Joy-Cons that had multiple ways of usage depending on the game. The standard controllers for the Switch were nice, but came with a huge quality issue.
iFixit Disassembly Shows Switch 2 Joy-Cons are Nearly Identical to Their Predecessors
The Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons were very susceptible to the so-called “drift” issue. For those unaware, the drift issue on Joy-Cons was a well-known issue that affected many owners. It occurs when the analog stick begins to register movement when it’s not being touched. As a result, characters or camera angles in games can move on their own, making gameplay frustrating or difficult.
This issue is believed to be caused by wear and tear on the joystick’s internal components, the buildup of dust or debris, or design flaws in the mechanism itself. Joy-Con drift has sparked widespread complaints, legal actions, and criticism toward Nintendo. In response, the company has offered free repairs for affected controllers in several regions, though the issue has persisted through multiple Switch hardware versions.
Back in 2020, IGN called the Joy-Con Drift a disaster in hardware design and one of the biggest console design problems of recent years. When the Switch 2 was announced, news broke out that the console would finally solve the long-standing problem of analog stick drift. This brought some relief to owners, but it seems that reality tells us a different, not so optimistic, story.
The renowned iFixit has taken a close look at the new Joy-Cons, and according to their analysis, the controller design is remarkably similar to the original design from the first-generation Switch. In other words, the technology is virtually the same, including potentially problematic sensors. These become clogged or worn out over time, leading to the infamous drift on the analog stick. You can have a look at the entire disassembly in the video below:
Nintendo Changed Its EULA with the Switch 2
Nintendo’s approach is even more worrying. The company’s US subsidiary already included a clause in its new EULA (end user license agreement). It significantly limits customers’ legal options. It says that any lawsuits against the company can only be brought individually. This effectively makes class action lawsuits, the very kind that have cause Nintendo trouble in the past, impossible.
It seems that rather than solving the issue, Nintendo went down the path of protecting itself from possible class actions. The move sounds like a shield from issues that can emerge with the Switch 2. However, let’s not go into conspiracy theories. The Switch 2 just reached the market, and only time will tell if the issues have been fixed.
Nintendo Could Have Solved This Issue By Adding Hall-effect analog Sticks
We can’t end this article without saying that Nintendo could easily have solved this issue on the Nintendo Switch 2 by adding a Hall effect.
Hall-effect joysticks are a type of analog stick technology that uses magnetic sensors instead of physical contact to detect movement. Inside the joystick, a small magnet moves relative to a sensor as you move the stick. This change in the magnetic field is then translated into directional input. Because there is no physical friction or contact between parts, Hall-effect sensors are far less prone to wear and tear. It makes them much more resistant to issues like stick drift. This technology has gained attention as a reliable alternative to traditional potentiometer-based sticks used in most controllers.
This technology can already be found in affordable controllers for PC made by Chinese brands. Unfortunately, this isn’t available on mainstream controllers, and the Switch 2 and the PS5 controllers are susceptible to this.
