Update: Seemingly confirming many worst fears, a new video shows Joy-Con drift now plaguing the recently released Nintendo Switch Lite. What makes the issue even worse on this portable machine is that the permanently attached controllers make repairs that much more difficult and expensive. Here’s hoping this isn’t the start of a larger trend.
To save you a click with my own headline, no I don’t think any of the Nintendo Switch’s current hardware issues have approached the sheer dysfunction of the original Xbox 360. But count me among the players who have noticed little rough edges Nintendo couldn’t polish off before launching its first console/handheld hybrid. Remember the special foam for improving wireless connectivity or melted face stickers from using the dock?
Now Joy-Con drift has become the next Switch hardware issue to reach critical mass. If you’ve unfortunately avoided the problem, Joy-Con drift is when the analog stick registers movement even when you aren’t touching the $50 controller, possibly caused by trapped dust or worn inner components. While calibrating the sticks you can see it as the little dot moves around erratically like it’s possessed.
Moving your character when you don’t want to can, uh, really mess you up in a lot of games. And while some have found temporary successful with home repair solutions like compressed air or replacement parts, folks like me have just shipped Joy-Con back to Nintendo for costly out-of-warranty fixes that don’t even fully solve the issue.
In a very Microsoft-esque move, Vice reported that Nintendo’s new internal company policy is to replace Joy-Con free of charge as well as offer refunds for previous repairs. I inquired about this change in policy, since I previously paid to have my Joy-Con repaired, and can confirm I got my money back.
Joy-Con drift has become so widespread that the law firm Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith has filed a class-action lawsuit calling the controllers straight-up defective. If that goes through customers may be entitled to some kind of refund. You’d think legal action would prompt a detailed response and plan from Nintendo, but the only statement they put out is just some vague words of commitment to product quality and a link to the same support page to request repairs.
It’s a shame because if anything else so many players noticing Joy-Con drift just shows how many people are playing Nintendo Switch. And with numerous big games still left to come this year like Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Link’s Awakening, Luigi’s Mansion 3, and Pokemon Sword and Shield, there’s more we want to play without worrying about the analog sticks disobeying us. Here’s hoping the Switch Lite, which doesn’t even have removable Joy-Con, doesn’t have the same issues with its embedded analog sticks.
For more on Nintendo Switch here are some cool games to play right now, gawk at upcoming Joy-Con colors, and learn why Wendy’s can make Super Mario Maker 2 levels but a beloved speedrunner can’t.
from Geek.com https://ift.tt/30Lw12y
via IFTTT
0 comments:
Post a Comment