Nintendo needs to improve the build quality of Switch hardware

— Nintendo Enthusiast:

The Nintendo Switch is amassing a growing list of hardware issues reported by numerous owners. Nintendo really needs to do something about its quality.

[_SilverHawk_]

"Another issue that has been developing for a growing number of users (myself included) and that has gained a lot of attention is the infamous “Joy-Con drift” problem. It’s characterized by the analog stick’s axis being off-center and usually getting stuck moving in one direction. While this is fixed relatively easily by using a bit of electronic contact cleaner, it appears that this issue is the result of a design flaw and will inevitably affect all Joy-Con eventually."

Sucks

[Jin_Sakai]

Someone disassembled the Joy-Con and found out why the drift is happening. Nintendo should take notice and fix the problem.

https://youtu.be/Z7um_1jr2v...

[RosweeSon]

Like Xbox did with theirs I’ve had mine 2 years no drift issues 360 controllers used to get drift issues within weeks.
If you’ve had problems read logic wins comment Nintendo customer service is amazing
I’ve used them myself sent my Wii in for a clean as it stopped reading dual layer discs dust issue probablly yet even years out of warranty they came collected fixed had it back in days for free. Can’t fault them and their hardware is built to last. Failure fault rates and minimal out the 20/30+ million sold.

[Sono421]

I haven't had any problems since launch... until about 2 months ago I dropped my switch for the very first time, not from some extreme height or anything, it just fell off the couch, and the joycon analog stick snapped clean off, I wouldn't have been so upset... but it was the super smash bros ultimate joycon from the Smash ultimate switch bundle.... still annoyed honestly.

[Neonridr]

I haven't noticed any major problems with my Switch. I am sure some are affected more than others. That being said I primarily use a Pro Controller when playing in docked mode and I play with the joycons attached to the system when in handheld (or a Pro controller if in table-top mode). I don't typically use the joycons on their own, unless I don't have a choice.

[yomfweeee]

@Imortus_san

Reading comprehension, do you have any?

[Zeldafan64]

My original joy cons only started drifting after I dropped them on the floor. Haven't had any problems with the ones I got for Christmas.

[LOGICWINS]

I had the drift issue and Nintendo customer service was amazing! They actually sent me a brand new console freshly made from the factory even though only the left Joy-Con was the issue.

[Neonridr]

@Imortus - I use the Pro controller because I prefer the way it feels when playing on the TV. I don't like the joycons in the shell, doesn't feel as comfy.

I also use a SCUF controller on my PS4. Again, another optional purchase.

Not sure what you "just read" but clearly comprehension isn't your strong suit. You actually need to own a Switch to understand if your joycons are affected at all.

[opc]

If this happens to your joycons, don't throw them out. Use them on a PC. Connect them to Steam and add a tiny bit of deadzone to the center of the stick to stop the drifting. I do this with my old 360 controllers.

Every console maker and PC launcher needs to copy this feature from Steam.

[Redlife2g]

Happened to both of my joycons and cleaning them didn't work. I had to resort to ordering the parts through Amazon and fixing them myself... Cost about 30.00

[Majinzo]

This happened to me and my speaker also popped playing DBFZ.

[RizBiz]

You can send them in for repair at Nintendo for $0.01. It only takes a few days, too.

[Alek83]

Yep the drift is ridiculous. I had to repair 4 different ones so far. Terrible design.
The overheating while playing certain games is lame as well.

[Lore]

And add an achievement/incentive system.

[Kumakai]

yup... and while you're in there maybe hit the ram, and storage... oh. and cpu... well and the gpu is pretty dated.

[Razmiran]

So, how do we do all that while keeping it portable and affoardable?

[King_Noctis]

So basically you are asking for an entirely new generation console?

[SkatterBrain]

https://youtu.be/is8odoL1-k...

[SkatterBrain]

can you solder on a Tegra X2 and get dock mode quality on the Go?

[mcstorm]

I find comments like this funny. Why do Nintendo need to do this? Is this to be the same as Sony and Microsoft in terms of power?

This power things dose my head in never has power mattered in a gen. Look at the psx, ps2, wii as a few examples of this.

Its all about the games they offer and no one comes close to matching the quality of the Nintendo ips in its own gore and this is what Nintendo needs not a me to console.

[Pennywise138]

I have a day 1 switch and had the joycon drift issue and while it was annoying I have to give credit to Nintendo’s customer service. With no questions asked they emailed me a label to send it to them free of charge and had it fixed and back to me within 5 days.

[Question_Mark]

I’ve always been impressed whenever I had to use Nintendo’s customer service. I’ve only used it three times in the past, but it was all quick and easy.

[jaycptza]

If it was day one it should have been replaced not fixed

[RosweeSon]

Try that with Sony and Microsoft. I can tell you now that wouldn’t happen and it certainly wouldn’t be done for free outside of the years warranty.

[Atomicjuicer]

I had to pay €45 to send it to Nintendo UK. Day one model.

Customer service UK don’t give a crap about Ireland and said I could take it or leave it.

Scum.

[KeenBean345]

Whilst the specs reflect the price for portability the dock is severely lacking. Definitely would love a better dock

[jjb1981]

Both my joy cons slide off without pushing the button which is frustrating sometimes.

[RizBiz]

I heard that happens when people put the grips on backwards. Did you put your grips on backwards?

[Father__Merrin]

Usually Nintendo consoles are definitely best built.

[averagejoe26]

Haha what?

Everyone in the gaming industry knows Nintendo is the worst quality build. They make great games but don't make up BS over other stuff.

The xbox360 is the only thing that was worse than a nintendo console.

[NotoriousWhiz]

Aside from the Wii, all of Nintendo's hardware has aged very well. My NES, SNES, and Nintendo 64 still work very well.
My ps1 is also still working. My PS2 and PS3 stopped reading discs. I've sold all of my older xboxes, but they were working when I sold them.

[RosweeSon]

Yeah NES/SNES gameboys they not still working 25/30 years later 😑😑 you have seen the one in the museum that survived the gulf war shiiii my 360 couldnt even survive dust.

[RosweeSon]

When has a Nintendo console ever come remotely close to 360 levels of failure Microsoft are the worst out of 3 gens 125 million ish consoles sold a solid 20/25% have broken or died that’s 20% off all their consoles they’ve ever manufactured that’s pathetic so 1 in 5 die.
That’s bad.
Sony ps1s were prob next closest they didn’t fully die but I’ve never had to use a Nintendo console upside down because the laser was too far down to read the disc due to overuse ala PlayStation1s back in the day.
Pretty certain my ps2 was struggling towards the end and my launch PS3 died after the blu ray gave up the will to live. PS4 has been much more reliable even Xbox1 has but I’d expect nothing less when their last console was so pathetic why do you think they sold so many last Gen, everyone had to keep replacing their console every 2-3 years I easily had 3/4 and solid 3 repairs awful console.
I mean seriously who puts a visual display that your console is dead on the front with RROD.
How about spending that time and effort just making the thing work for more than the length of the warranty 😑😑

[WickedLester]

For me, the worst design flaw is the D pad on the pro controller. Good luck playing Tetris 99 with it!

[EricLane]

My daughter and I were playing Stardew a few days ago and SIMULTANEOUSLY, our L buttons stopped working. Went through troubleshooting and nothing worked. Hers is 1.5 years old, mine is 3 months old. Gotta send them out to Nintendo now. BS...

[Fraggle1987]

In fairness poor quality systems are a forte of Nintendo's. They are always cheaper made than the competition.

[RosweeSon]

So why do they last for years then?

[XxINFERNUSxX]

I noticed after long periods of play the back side where you hold it the plastic stains somewhat. They should use better plastic.

[Mulletino]

Within 4 months My right joycon keeps “disconnecting” when in handheld mode.

[Mulletino]

Started playing dark souls and left stuck is now drifting

[Mr Marvel]

The system itself seems fine, but the joy-cons are complete garbage. I have 2 pairs of joycons and the left stick drifts on both.

[Xaevi]

If they're gonna sell those joycons for 80 bucks then they needa make sure they work properly. My right joycon has the drift problem and I barely use my switch. I've also had issues with the connection, while in table top, not even a foot away.

[ShadowWolf712]

Had to send mine in for repair already. Just stopped charging one day. Left JoyCon just slips right off while I'm holding it, too.

[SkatterBrain]

dark screen on mine has all these weird shimmery, dead pixels ,noticable mostly in dark games like skyrim, and my left joycon Thinks im pressing the joystick upwards half the time, And The Lag sometimes play a few feet away from the TV made playing mario bros U Deluxe with my bro a pain

the Kickstand is Unusable on most surfaces impossible to set it up on a blanket or pillow, it tips over sooo easily, and sometimes in my pocket the controllers just slide halfway out even when theyre clicked in and supposed to be 1 with the system

[Poopmist]

I wish the joycons were more durable. My left one's thumbstick has trouble moving left now.

[Elronza]

As a Switch owner myself I must admit Nintendo needs to step their game up.

[SR388]

I find the build fine, my Switch never leaves my house and it's always docked and I have never used my joy con for more than an hour in total lol

[SoulWarrior]

The Switch itself is fine, but I completely agree about the joy cons, the drift/sync issues are unacceptable and Nintendo should be replacing them no questions asked, instead they overcharge for those cheap feeling faulty controllers, the amount of times I've played MK8 or Mario Tennis and my character has just veered off to the side is annoying lol.

Wish all games supported the Pro controller, that is excellent piece of hardware.

[Vetgamer]

It feels cheap and nasty something ud buy of amz for £60. But with a touch of Nintendo magic it works and surprisingly powerful. Not had any issues works as advertised.

[Scatpants]

I would pay extra for an elite switch. I want an aluminum one.

[madpuppy]

I said it way back when it was released, all that click together stuff wasn't going to be robust.

[Batchild27]

I have not had this issue with my Joycon but I have recently started having this issue with one of my DS4's. Very upsetting. Maybe I will just get in there and do a little clean...

On a more broad note: Nintendo treats their electronics like toys, historically. Durable hunks of plastic. My NES and SNES, and all my Game Boy's still work perfectly. But the Switch has a TON of tech crammed into a very sleek package. I think a Switch Lite, as rumored, would be a nice way to make it more durable and "cheap". I do agree that if they are selling the Switch as a premium electronic, they need to tighten the durability a bit.

[micdagoat19]

anybody else have an issue where it doesn't seem like the joy cons lock in tight to the switch like they did when you first got it? I can touch it lightly and it slides right up

[Fantasticzig]

Four of my joycons have consistent drift problems. One of them has a analog stick button that no longer works. Another of them has a shoulder button that no longer works. If I hadn’t purchased the Mario Party joycon bundle, I would have no good joycons. That’s really inexcusable. Also, the kickstand snapped off relatively early on.
As someone who loves the Switch, I still couldn’t agree more - the build quality is bad.

[Bleucrunch]

I am sure Nintendo will make a nother sku that is a better alternative to the initial one. I have physical issues with mine as well dealing with the Joy-cons that come off rather easily (without even using that button on the back of to release the latch.

The latch seems to not lock my joy-cons in place. I have been planning to purchase another set, however, Joy-cons are really over priced man. Lower it Nintendo cause you all are bugging with those prices....

And DONT LET ME GET STARTED on the Online aspect of the switch....#TERRIBLE!!!!!