For eight plus years now we as consumers have dealt with the drift on our joy-cons for the current Nintendo Switch models. After much discussion on whether this was an issue, Nintendo decided to allow us to send in our drift ridden thumb sticks to get them repaired free of charge. With all this repair, you would assume that research and development would be key to solving future issues if they continued the use of these types of controls. Well, let’s discuss that topic.
Working in an engineering environment, I understand the give and take of quality and cost. The perfect balance of shaving off an ounce of plastic or making a smaller imprint with metal can save pennies to dollars based on design, but not sacrificing the quality and integrity of a product is what is most important when it comes to improvement and doing the right thing for the customer. So, what has Nintendo potentially done in the Joy-con situation?
As someone who tests parts for new products and configurations, I can safely say if an issue arises in a product, we immediately look for a root cause. So, my thoughts on what Nintendo has taken away from the analysis of the issue. Either it is an expensive fix which can be remedied by a series of smaller fixes, or the issue has not been fully repeatable to the point that gives them confidence in a certain fix or it’s a complex multilayered or faceted fix. Either way I believe that a lot of it can be resolved by incorporating hall effect analog sticks. However, they are costly and could tack on additional price points to the system.
I believe Nintendo wanted to keep a lower price point for the consumers, but I think in the long run Nintendo should ultimately pay for the cost to incorporate better technology or address the root cause of the drift. Nintendo made a significant profit on Switch and to put the money into the fix would bolster more customers to buy these controllers, make them happy, reduce downtime to gamers, phone calls to Nintendo, and shipping costs for repairs. I don’t know the full story obviously, but if you do these things you will have better quality products, and more people will continue to purchase hardware and software.
If the cost is an issue, then maybe come out with a premium Joy-con that incorporates the fix and/or better technology that customers who are willing can pay for. Microsoft and Sony already do this and plenty of third-party companies also have a line up their own products to help deal with issues such as drift. Either way an option or a solution should be made available.
Did you have issues with your Switch joy-con? Did you ever send them into get repaired? Would you pay more for a better quality or premium controller? Maybe the new Joy-con already has been dealt with but let us know your thoughts on this.
Image Source: GameRant.com
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