by it_citizen on 4/4/23, 2:36 PM
I don't know how it is in Europe, but in North America, their repair service is top-notch.
2 months ago I sent them a joycon of my 5 year old switch because it started to drift.
I simply filed a form on their website and dropped the joycon at a UPS store. Two weeks later, I received a new joycon by mail. I didn't pay for anything, not even UPS shipping.
by Fire-Dragon-DoL on 4/4/23, 4:55 PM
They should. We have 6 different joycons and 2 have been repaired, the other 2 are showing the damn drift again.
Shipping them is a pain. This whole thing is a mess and the fact that they have to repair is the minimum
Joycons happen to also cost 100$ in Canada, so it's not something cheap.
I'm really bothered. So many years making videogames and they still can't get the analog stick right.
by pupppet on 4/4/23, 7:08 PM
I've had to ship back 4 different pairs of controllers twice now. This BS has me second-guessing ever purchasing another Nintendo console.
by unwind on 4/4/23, 3:39 PM
Very cool post by, uh, the European Commission. Yay casual-tone governance.
Does anyone have a link to some reputable third-party explaining the actual issue?
by MisterBastahrd on 4/4/23, 3:51 PM
Virtually all controllers share similar technology and one of the features for most of the console manufacturers is that they will break the moment a piece of lint gets stuck between the stick and the sensor. Given how difficult it is to access the sensor in order to fix the issue, and also how open-air the design of these sticks are, I've always assumed that this is on purpose.
I've started using the Power A controllers with the back paddles on PC (or a Razer Wolverine when I was being fancy and wanted LEDs), and I'm much happier now. The only problem I've had with Power A's controllers is that the USB cable has a plastic housing that is a bit oddly shaped and thus it's nigh-impossible to find a replacement, so I'm still stuck with a scenario that I have to RMA a replacement from time to time because they won't sell the cord by itself.
by KennyBlanken on 4/4/23, 4:02 PM
The entire controller industry has this problem. From the base to the top end, controllers fail like crazy due to "stick drift." It's planned obsolescence.
by igravious on 4/4/23, 2:59 PM
Be nice if they did the same for Sony PS5 controllers, I've had two go on me (in a different way each) and god knows the PS5 isn't out all that long.
by fmsf on 4/4/23, 2:44 PM
Any guidance on how to get controllers repaired under this directive? (EU based but don't have the receipts anymore)
by spiznnx on 4/4/23, 5:01 PM
I know many will want this covered by Nintendo out of principle, but it is a very easy fix to perform yourself for the average hacker. The parts and tools are inexpensive as well. I have replaced 5 joycon sticks now and I find it rather satisfying.
by FreeFull on 4/4/23, 3:20 PM
Hall effect joysticks seem really promising. Fundamentally, due to the way they work, they should be much less likely to develop drift compared to potentiometer-based joysticks.
by szoszon on 4/4/23, 3:03 PM
Oh, so it's not my poor motor skills, and fat fingers - it's the controller.