UK Regulator Demands Nintendo Address Joy-Con Drift Issue and Provide Consumer Compensation

The UK's consumer protection organization, Which, has called upon Nintendo to offer compensation to customers who have experienced issues with Joy-Con drift. In a recent study, the group tested five pairs of Joy-Con controllers, all of which exhibited drift problems, with the left stick being the most affected. The investigation revealed manufacturing defects, including dust and contaminants inside the controllers, despite the presence of dustproofing measures. Wear on the joystick slider contact points was also identified as a contributing factor to the drift issue. Which is urging Nintendo to provide a free and straightforward repair or replacement service for all faulty Joy-Con controllers sold in the UK since the launch of the original Switch console. The company should also conduct an independent investigation into the causes of drift and make the findings publicly available. In response, Nintendo stated that the percentage of Joy-Con controllers experiencing issues is small and that the company has been continually improving the design since its launch in 2017. Nintendo also encouraged customers to contact their support team for assistance with any Joy-Con-related issues.