Polygon.com / 14.06.25

Switch 2 Joy-Con drift is already haunting Nintendo

Stick drift comes for everyone, but Nintendo Switch hardware has a reputation for being particularly prone to failure. Naturally, everyone is wondering if the Nintendo Switch 2 and its new Joy-Con controller is any better than its predecessor. News that at least one person purchased a brand new Switch 2 that appeared to come out of the box with stick drift isnt helping paranoia around drift. So, whats actually going on and should you be worrying, too? Stick drift refers to the phenomenon where a controllers joystick seemingly has a mind of its own. Your machine will interpret input that isnt actually happening, often causing characters or cursors to perpetually move in a specific direction. You can play around it through new input that overrides the drift, but its a nuisance that begets inaccuracy during gameplay. Usually, you have to either repair the controller or buy new gear. Stick drift is not unique to Nintendo, but there are many potential reasons for the stigma. Joy-Con drift i...
Read more