Switch 2 Has to Fix a Troubling Issue That’s Haunted Nintendo for 8 Years

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Nintendo has consistently led the handheld gaming world, with a loyal fanbase stretching back to the original Game Boy and continuing today with the incredibly popular Switch. Beyond its hardware, Nintendo is known for iconic franchises like Mario and The Legend of Zelda. However, despite all its success, even the upcoming Switch 2 hasn‘t solved one persistent problem for the company.

Nintendo has struggled with joystick drift in its controllers ever since they first appeared. The problem became especially noticeable with the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons. Many players hoped the new Switch 2 would solve this issue, but initial reports suggest the controllers still experience drift. However, Nintendo improved the original Switch over time, so there’s optimism they can do the same for the Switch 2.

From N64 Onwards, Joystick Drift Has Plagued Nintendo

The Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con controllers are well-known for a frustrating problem called joystick drift. This happens when the game thinks you’re moving the joystick even when you’re not touching it, causing unwanted movement in the game. Many players have tried to fix this themselves instead of buying new controllers. How well these fixes work depends on what’s causing the drift – it could be something simple like dust, or a more serious hardware problem. Either way, joystick drift can really ruin your enjoyment of a game.

Okay, so this whole stick drift thing with the Switch? It’s not new, honestly. Nintendo’s been dealing with it for a while. The old NES didn’t have this problem because it used a D-pad, but when they switched to analog sticks with the N64, that’s when people started noticing it. Basically, the stick itself would wear down over time and wouldn’t snap back to the center properly, making your character move on their own. That’s stick drift in a nutshell!

Like the Nintendo 64, the Wii also had problems with joystick drift, causing characters to move without player input. This issue affected both the Nunchuck and the Wiimote. While cleaning with compressed air or recalibrating the controllers sometimes fixed the problem, the N64 and Wii demonstrate that drift has been a recurring issue with Nintendo controllers, even if it’s more noticeable on the Switch.

Look, controller drift happens – it’s just a fact of life with controllers from PlayStation, Xbox, and pretty much everyone else. They get damaged, stuff gets inside… it’s annoying, but normal. But honestly, the Switch Joy-Cons seem to get drift way more often than other controllers I’ve used. I was really hoping the new Joy-Cons with the Switch 2 would fix this, but from what I’m hearing, it’s still happening, which is super frustrating!

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Stick Drift Returns on Switch 2, But There’s Still Hope

The new Switch 2 improves on the Joy-Con controllers in a couple of important ways. They now connect to the console magnetically instead of sliding into place. Plus, the Joy-Cons can function as a mouse, which will be great for games that play better with mouse controls. However, it looks like the issue of Joy-Con drift hasn’t been fully resolved.

While the Joy-Cons for the Switch 2 have seen a few upgrades, they’re largely the same as the original Switch’s controllers. As a result, some users are already experiencing the same stick drift issue. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to be happening as often as it did with the first Switch. It’s still early days though, so we’ll need more time to see how these controllers hold up with regular use and potential wear and tear.

Nintendo has confirmed they will continue to fix or replace Joy-Cons with stick drift for free, even if the warranty has ended. This applies to both the original Switch and the new Switch 2 Joy-Cons, thanks to Nintendo’s repair program. While offering free repairs suggests Nintendo knows the stick drift issue hasn’t been fully solved with the Switch 2, it’s still very early days for the new console.

The first Nintendo Switch had some initial problems, like overheating and Joy-Con drift, but Nintendo addressed many of these issues in later versions. While Joy-Con drift still happens on newer Switches, it’s not as common. This gives hope that the upcoming Switch 2 might finally fix the problem with its Joy-Cons. However, it seems likely that some level of stick drift will continue to be an issue, just as it has been with many previous Nintendo consoles.

Experiencing stick drift with your Joy-Cons? Share your story in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-09-26 23:18