this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2025
253 points (99.2% liked)

Games

39658 readers
1453 users here now

Welcome to the largest gaming community on Lemmy! Discussion for all kinds of games. Video games, tabletop games, card games etc.

Rules

1. Submissions have to be related to games

Video games, tabletop, or otherwise. Posts not related to games will be deleted.

This community is focused on games, of all kinds. Any news item or discussion should be related to gaming in some way.

2. No bigotry or harassment, be civil

No bigotry, hardline stance. Try not to get too heated when entering into a discussion or debate.

We are here to talk and discuss about one of our passions, not fight or be exposed to hate. Posts or responses that are hateful will be deleted to keep the atmosphere good. If repeatedly violated, not only will the comment be deleted but a ban will be handed out as well. We judge each case individually.

3. No excessive self-promotion

Try to keep it to 10% self-promotion / 90% other stuff in your post history.

This is to prevent people from posting for the sole purpose of promoting their own website or social media account.

4. Stay on-topic; no memes, funny videos, giveaways, reposts, or low-effort posts

This community is mostly for discussion and news. Remember to search for the thing you're submitting before posting to see if it's already been posted.

We want to keep the quality of posts high. Therefore, memes, funny videos, low-effort posts and reposts are not allowed. We prohibit giveaways because we cannot be sure that the person holding the giveaway will actually do what they promise.

5. Mark Spoilers and NSFW

Make sure to mark your stuff or it may be removed.

No one wants to be spoiled. Therefore, always mark spoilers. Similarly mark NSFW, in case anyone is browsing in a public space or at work.

6. No linking to piracy

Don't share it here, there are other places to find it. Discussion of piracy is fine.

We don't want us moderators or the admins of lemmy.world to get in trouble for linking to piracy. Therefore, any link to piracy will be removed. Discussion of it is of course allowed.

Authorized Regular Threads

Related communities

PM a mod to add your own

Video games

Generic

Help and suggestions

By platform

By type

By games

Language specific

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

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.

all 47 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] aesthelete@lemmy.world 7 points 1 hour ago

Disappointing to say the least.

My wife loves the switch but has gone through 3 or 4 different sets of controllers. I tried my hand at repairing one of them and it was not fun -- to put it mildly -- and I do not savor repeating the experience. I honestly did not know there were hall effect replacements for the original joycon sticks, and wish I had known that when I replaced the one I did.

[–] absquatulate@lemmy.world 10 points 2 hours ago (2 children)

Lack of innovation: checked. Locking users into their ecosystem: checked. Chasing only shareholder value : checked.

The only thing diferentianting them from Apple now is the pricing, which hasn't reached outrageous levels ( yet ).

I used to respect them for doing their own thing - sometimes winning, sometimes losing, but in the end still innovating. Apparently not the case anymore.

[–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 2 points 54 minutes ago

The only thing diferentianting them from Apple now is the pricing, which hasn't reached outrageous levels ( yet ).

Software is priced at Apple levels.

[–] RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world 2 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago) (2 children)

Honestly, I don't mind if Nintendo didn't innovate. I have just wanted a "normal" console from them in a while like a return to their SNES/N64/GameCube days. When they still actually tried to remain competitive, and in the case of the SNES and N64, were technologically ahead of the competition. Sure there were some innovations, but in comparison to the Wii, Wii U, and Switch, their older consoles were more "normal" for their time.

Nowadays they just make underpowered hardware that only truly sells because its usually the cheapest console available and has the Nintendo logo on it. Except Switch 2, which started charging cutting edge tech prices for tech that was cutting edge like 10 years ago. All of the pricing of a better Switch without any of the real improvements except a newer processing unit and slightly bigger screen.

Give me a Switch without a screen. No battery. No detachable controllers. Just a brick that plugs into the wall and the TV, compatible with a Pro controller. Probably could even sell that at a reduced price too. Maybe even overclock it and give it a bigger cooling solution to get better performance. Maybe Nintendo's newer games can actually run at a stable 60 fps on their own hardware finally.

[–] deus@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago

That's wishful thinking, I'm afraid. Nintendo owns the handheld market and now that they've made a handheld their only platform there's no way they're going back to traditional consoles, especially not after the original Switch sold a gazilion units with the same form-factor as the new one but with a hardware 10x weaker. The higher prices are a risky gamble but their profit margins have never been this high so they probaby don't even care if the Switch 2 doesn't sell nearly as much as its predecessor.

[–] aesthelete@lemmy.world 2 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

Give me a Switch without a screen. No battery. No detachable controllers. Just a brick that plugs into the wall and the TV, compatible with a Pro controller. Probably could even sell that at a reduced price too. Maybe even overclock it and give it a bigger cooling solution to get better performance. Maybe Nintendo’s newer games can actually run at a stable 60 fps on their own hardware finally.

I'm actually in the same boat. I hardly ever play the switch in handheld mode. It is incredibly uncomfortable for anyone over the age and/or hand size of a 12 year old. The form factor is terrible for mobile use IMO. Even when we don't play the switch docked on the TV, we have taken to playing it plugged into a small USB-C monitor on a side table in front of the couch.

I really wish Nintendo would offer a different option like you're saying here. The only thing that's nice about the Switch form factor is the size for portability IMO. Scrap the screen (and probably even the battery) and offer an option that's as small as (or even smaller than) one of those NUC-looking mini PCs that are all the rage nowadays.

[–] RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

I mean, realistically its still Nintendo so I still won't buy it. I disagree with their business practices ever since Iwata died. Nintendo has gone way downhill, and I don't want to give them any of my money anymore. It sucks since I really like the old Zelda and Metroid games, but theyre only games. Its not the end of the world. Plus, emulation fixes Nintendos problems anyway.

[–] aesthelete@lemmy.world 1 points 48 minutes ago

Yeah I'm not a huge fan of their recent "direction" either, but it actually would've been a lot more innovative for Nintendo to offer a headless switch in a tiny form factor. Maybe that's just the old, highly innovative ways of Nintendo going by the wayside.

It's a shame because Nintendo is a lot more accessible from a "casual gamer" perspective. I've even gotten my parents to play switch and wii games over the years. I don't think they'd ever touch an xbox or ps.

[–] mintiefresh@piefed.ca 41 points 5 hours ago (2 children)

One thing I will always appreciate about the Steam Deck is how repairable it is. I think that's probably the feature I most desire in any device now going forward.

[–] PieMePlenty@lemmy.world 4 points 2 hours ago

And, as luck would have it, the thing that breaks on mine is the track pad and I cant find a replacement.

[–] kautau@lemmy.world 3 points 3 hours ago

Yeah had to swap out a steam deck joystick and scooped one up from iFixit and it was wonderfully easy to swap. That being said, being able to switch them out on my dualsense edge without a screwdriver and just having a switch on the back of the controller is really neat. Definitely my favorite controller I've owned, I just wish more PC games supported the haptics.

[–] LandedGentry@lemmy.zip 74 points 7 hours ago* (last edited 7 hours ago) (4 children)

Looking forward to the Nintendo fanboys telling me how this is actually good for switch 2 owners.

Seriously Nintendo is so fucking cheap and ridiculous sometimes. They’ve had almost a decade to solve this. Given what they charge this is inexcusable if it’s even half as bad as they’re speculating. Who knows what idiosyncrasies and breakdowns we’re going to see as people explore using the Joycon as a mouse as well

[–] inclementimmigrant@lemmy.world 15 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

I like how they raised the price on the controllers and only used magnets for a non-issue and not for the thing that is the problem.

[–] NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 9 points 5 hours ago

Eh, those rails were a huge issue over time for people who primarily used their switches in handheld but did swap/remove joycons semi-regularly. My launch model (that I ended up giving to a friend's kid when I got my Steam Deck) would often need me to attach and detach the right joycon a few times to make it fully register that it was connected.

But yeah. Tinfoil hat and all but a LOT of speculation is that the magnetic based connection is to prevent hall effect aftermarket sticks from working since those are also magnetic. TMR isn't impacted by that but the vast majority of folk would have never considered TMR for a gamepad until the past year or two.

[–] sampao@lemmy.ml 21 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

Why fix something that is making you even more money?!

[–] Blooper@lemmynsfw.com 2 points 1 hour ago

Exactly this. Lots of companies have figured out that filling our landfills with cheap plastic crap is a lucrative business model. In this case, it's cheaply made and expensive to replace - making it hugely profitable. Shareholders would be furious if they were to fix this issue.

[–] Lyra_Lycan@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (1 children)

And the deluded fucks still charge more than US$250 for their half-a-console. It's got good processing power and stellar shell construction, but charging the same price Xbox and PlayStation do for their full entertainment consoles, for a handheld main with the same defect-prone joysticks, tiny battery, stickers for the Joy-Con socket decal, plastic screen and 1080p display? In 2025?

[–] LandedGentry@lemmy.zip 22 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago)

I do appreciate how hard it is to make a powerful, lightweight, long-battery life handheld. But where they are cutting corners is the real issue to me. $450 isn't even that insane of a price, but at $450 I am right to expect the joysticks - the MAIN, CRITICAL input system - to last more than 6mo lol

[–] kn0wmad1c@programming.dev 36 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

I don't care that people bought a Switch 2 if it makes them happy. For me, this was the first Nintendo console in a long time I had no interest in. There was no innovation here. It's just a minor upgrade in specs over the Switch with maybe better online?

Nothing about the Switch 2 is going to supplant my Steam Deck, so why waste the money?

[–] jerakor@startrek.website -2 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Switch 2 to me is something I'm okay with from the perspective of, I think these consoles need to update more often. Nintendo didn't have anything revolutionary to add this time around, but wanted to update the Switch because it had been 8 years. It's nearly 100% backwards compatible. This is a better choice than the WiiU which basically was Wii without the fun.

I'm curious what Sony and Microsoft do because there isn't any new improved tech for those devices that would really drive a better experience for people. Microsoft seems to be toying with the Xbox isn't a single device it's an experience concept. Sony made the Pro and no one cared.

[–] samus12345@sh.itjust.works 6 points 3 hours ago

Sony made the Pro and no one cared.

A $700 console upgrade is niche, and they know that.

[–] missingno@fedia.io 9 points 5 hours 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 8 points 5 hours 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 6 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

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

[–] Stovetop@lemmy.world 1 points 4 minutes 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 1 points 4 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 11 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours 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.

[–] Stern@lemmy.world 11 points 6 hours ago (2 children)

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

[–] ms_lane@lemmy.world 7 points 6 hours 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 1 points 2 hours ago

Increased

S t a b i l i t y

[–] arudesalad@sh.itjust.works 4 points 6 hours 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 34 minutes 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 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (1 children)

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

[–] arudesalad@sh.itjust.works 4 points 6 hours 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 6 points 6 hours 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.

[–] net00@lemmy.today 2 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours 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 8 points 5 hours 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 8 points 6 hours 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 -2 points 6 hours 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 6 hours ago

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.

[–] FerretyFever0@fedia.io -1 points 6 hours ago

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