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New Nintendo patent suggests Switch 2 may solve joycon drift (www.dexerto.com)

submitted 1 year ago by simple@lemm.ee to c/games@lemmy.world

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A patent filed by Nintendo suggests that they’re working on Hall Effect style joysticks for the Switch 2 that would eliminate stick drift almost entirely.

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[-] Paradox 126 points 1 year ago

Joycon drift, and all other thumbstick drift, is already a solved problem.

Use bushings that actually have some abrasive resistance and aren't softer than a fingernail.
Use a non-contact based sensor to determine the XY position of the stick. Hall effect, optical, strain gauge, whatever, we've had the tech for 50 years.

The reason why they haven't done this is one very simple reason: $$$

[-] cordlesslamp@lemmy.today 9 points 1 year ago

Isn't the N64 controllers using optical sensor and those are one of the worst controller ever existed?

[-] Paradox 15 points 1 year ago

N64's issues came from the bushings wearing out, the sensors were still very good

[-] Royal_Bitch_Pudding@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Primarily the plastic bowl

[-] Paradox 2 points 1 year ago

Yup. If they'd just made the bowl out of something OTHER than ABS, they would have been good. Delrin, PTFE, even a thin layer of brass or broze, and those controllers wouldn't have had anywhere near the amount of issues they're known for having.

There are third-party manufacturers who sell replacement bowls and sticks, made from everything from POM to steel.