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Joysticks: Probably Still Drifty

Joy-Con joysticks use a potentiometer to read the voltage at a wiper that slides across a strip of resistive material. That material wears down over time, or plastic and dust can dirty the sensors.

Stick drift is a huge problem with other Switch models. One survey found that 40% of Switch owners had problems with their Joy-Cons drifting, and things didn’t get any better with the Lite or OLED editions. After a bunch of lawsuits, Nintendo’s president even admitted it and apologized, setting up a free repair program for customers in some parts of the world.

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[–] missingno@fedia.io 15 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm a little tired of the fearmongering from people who seem to be racing to the assumption that JoyCon 2s will definitely be as brittle as JoyCon 1s. We don't know that yet. Yes, we know it's not Hall Effect, but that's been true of the majority of video game controllers for a long time. JoyCon 1s were just anomalously defective in a way specific to that controller, and I highly doubt they haven't considered this with the 2. Until we actually start seeing a failure rate comparable to JoyCon 1s, can people just... wait and chill for a sec?

[–] Phelpssan@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago (2 children)

While I agree with the overall message, I'd say this is on Nintendo for not doing proper communication on the topic. They must know this is a major concern for most people who had a Switch.

Yes, I get they don't want to acknowledge the drift problem publicly, but surely someone on their marketing team can still come up with a way to discuss the improvements they made and alleviate fears.

[–] ChairmanMeow@programming.dev 7 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

I think they did briefly mentioned they improved the sticks, but they never clarified what exactly.

[–] Stovetop@lemmy.world 3 points 19 hours ago

I remember during the initial console reveal, basically the only thing they had to say was that the sticks are larger and smoother (in motion, not the caps themselves).

I don't know if they mentioned much else later, but they were very tacit about their durability/longevity. I don't have much hope that things will be better, at any rate. I still bought a Switch 2, because I know it will still bring me joy to play, but as much as I enjoyed the comfort of playing with a Joycon in each hand, I've learned from the original Switch to avoid using the Joycons where possible and opt for a separate controller when playing docked (I'm just using the Pro Controllers I have left over from my original Switch).

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 2 points 23 hours ago

Given the casual nature of the target audience, I doubt it's a major concern for most owners. For enthusiasts, yes absolutely, but if you went around to random Switch owners, I doubt they'd even know what you're talking about. Most of my friends haven't had significant issues.

[–] NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 14 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I like that ifixit are specifically explaining the fundamental problem with pot based analog sticks because this IS an issue with every (pot based) controller.

That said: I still firmly believe the reason joycons last like a month and my XBONE controller is still going is because of the flap. Like... I'll always remember that the god damned PCB on my DS3 failed before the stick (you try platinuming Dark Souls 2 when pushing R3 triggers random buttons on the entire gamepad...).

For the "real" console sticks? The analog stick is a big plastic dome and you have to disassemble the entire gamepad to clean it out. For the joycons (not sure on pro controller)? It is a rubber flap that you lift up with a pair of tweezers... or just shove the nozzle of the electronic contact cleaner spray can through to clean. The former keeps both you and dirt out while the latter lets everything in and gets those specs trapped between the contacts a lot faster.

Don't get me wrong. If I am buying a third party controller (the gamesirs look shockingly good these days...) it better have hall effect or the other one. But potentiometers are fine IF you protect them. Like, the vast majority of knobs and the like are pots and people STILL use stereos and the like from the 80s with no issues.

[–] RaptorBenn@lemmy.world -5 points 10 hours ago (3 children)

If its still there and its obviously a well known issue, they left they in there so you artards would have to give them more money for repairs 🤣🤣

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[–] Stern@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Shoulda used the magnets for hall effect sticks rather then clacking joycons on the thing

[–] ms_lane@lemmy.world 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Fear is a hell of a drug.

First gen switches were broken through the connector for the joycons. Now it's wrapped in 3 layers of plastic when live.

[–] FinalRemix@lemmy.world 3 points 22 hours ago

Increased

S t a b i l i t y

[–] arudesalad@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I think the reason the connectors are magnetic is because it is something nintendo's designers always wanted to do. So once their engineers figured out how to do it (after the launch of the original switch) they designed the switch 2 around the magnetic connectors. I think it's incredibly stupid when one of the most important things to do for a sequel to the switch is fixing the drift but it's a reason at least I guess?

Here's the video I watched about it: https://youtu.be/JDhj8s-i--s

[–] socsa@piefed.social 2 points 20 hours ago

I wil say that the gen 1 slides were clumsy and early units could be broken by forcing them in backwards. It always felt like the part which was the least well designed. I like the new magnetic interface but I agree it's kind of an odd thing to have a minor quality of life update be the top line.

[–] ieatpwns@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Lmao they added magnets even after Iwata told them it was fucking stupid

[–] arudesalad@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Did iwata ever say they were a bad idea? I thought it was that they had no idea how to make them secure but easy to remove, not because iwata said it was stupid.

[–] ms_lane@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago

My first takeaway opening the box was WTF is going on with the speaker grille/fan intake?

Every phone/tablet has dust/waterproofing mesh, it's standard. Everyone puts in on the inside layer of the device with the meatier grille outside it, so the mesh doesn't get scuffed up or cut.

Nintendo had to think different and put the mesh on the outside. Good luck to the handheld players, luckily mine will live in a dock for eternity.

[–] Gearheart@lemmy.world 0 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago)

Oh, yeah!

You gotta get sDrifty

You gotta get sDrifty in here

It's time to get sDrifty.

[–] net00@lemmy.today 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (3 children)

I can't understand why they still ship a plastic screen. Surely there are other ways to keep glass from exploding that don't involve a top plastic layer.

I got a screen protector first thing for mine. In a matter of months any unprotected screens will turn into shit.

I guess this is typical nintendo, haven't bought anything from them since the 3ds.

[–] greybeard@feddit.online 12 points 1 day ago

There are two major advantages to what Nintendo did. The plastic top significantly increases shatter resistance. Look at Jerryrig Everything's review to see, it's almost impossible to break the screen now via blunt force, which is a big problem for people with kids. Surface scratches are far better than a shattered screen.

The second advantage is that you can put a glass screen protector on it and get the best of both worlds. A replaceable glass surface that is nice and hard. What I think would have made it better is if the console came with a pre-installed glass protector that was replaceable.

[–] kn0wmad1c@programming.dev 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Your post is a little confusing. If you haven't bought anything from them since the 3ds, then how did you put a screen protector on your Switch 2?

[–] net00@lemmy.today -3 points 1 day ago

I meant that prior to the switch 2 I only had a 3ds. I've been out of the loop on nintendo stuff during all that time

[–] ms_lane@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Is glass exploding even that much of a problem?

Dropping an iPad doesn't even break the screen all the time and when it does it's garbled.

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[–] FerretyFever0@fedia.io -2 points 1 day ago

Yet, millions will buy it. Because they hold onto their exclusives for dear life. Getting literally anything else is a better decision.

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