Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been pondering. Today, Kate discusses rediscovering the joy of Joy-Con following a recent mishap, and her dreams of Joy-Con 2.0...
I'm about to turn 30, so of course, the natural thing to do is learn how to rollerskate. It makes total sense. I never had skates as a kid, so now that my joints are beginning to creak like the Grim Reaper poking his head through the door, what better activity to take up than the one where you tempt fate with wheels on your shoes?
Anyway, you'll be unsurprised to know that I fell and hurt myself. Twice. The first time, I was wearing the skates (they're quads, for the record) in my kitchen with no knee pads, and I suffered for my hubris by injuring my knee. The next time was outside, fully padded up, but I fell backwards (I am told that this is not ideal, but it's hard to stop falling once you've started) and injured my elbow, making me unable to bend my arm for the next week. And I love bending my arm! It's one of my favourite activities!
But let me tell you: when you've messed up your stupid, ageing body, there's nothing better than lying on the sofa, feeling sorry for yourself, but still able to play video games — and there's nothing better for that than the Joy-Con.
I've always enjoyed the chaos of Joy-Con. No longer am I confined to a single controller — I can sprawl across the sofa any which way I damn please, arms askew, and as long as I'm vaguely pointing at the screen, it's all good. And there's nothing better for injuries: if I need to have my arm in a particular orientation, it doesn't matter. I don't have to figure out some weirdly uncomfortable position where I can hold the controller with both hands, because the Joy-Con come to me, not the other way around.
It's hard to mention Joy-Con without the word "drift" in the same breath, though, and I'm currently on my third pair, not counting the Pro Controller I bought to be able to play games without worrying that my control sticks would betray me.
My oldest Joy-Con pair used to drift sideways, and I attempted to do the clean-without-taking-it-apart thing with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab, but all that did was change the drifting direction to "Up". My second oldest pair, wanting to join in on the fun, does exactly the same thing. My new pair is okay for now, and I'm taking EXTRA EXTRA good care of them to keep that going for as long as possible, but I have to be honest: I'm a dusty gal, and it's only a matter of time before my dust gets in there and messes things up.
I don't want to be forced to go back to the confined hand-prison of the all-in-one controller; I just want the Joy-Con to be better.
The thing is, once you've been converted to the joy of Joy-Con sprawling, it's hard to go back. I like feeling like a hedonistic Roman, lounging across a couch, and lazily pressing buttons. I like knowing that I can play games, even when my arm is in a sling. And because I have recurring tendonitis, I like being able to have my hands and wrists in a relatively ergonomic position, too. I don't want to be forced to go back to the confined hand-prison of the all-in-one controller; I just want the Joy-Con to be better.
Seeing as the Switch OLED model doesn't actually have upgraded Joy-Con, though, I wonder how long I'll have to wait for that to be the case.
Other game companies have made huge strides in accessibility, like Xbox's Adaptive Controller and customisable Elite Controller, and Sony's new PS5 controller includes haptic and audio feedback for people with low vision or hearing impairments.
Nintendo, on the other hand, has historically been behind the times when it comes to accessibility features (as the AbleGamers accessibility review of the Switch details) and the Joy-Con were likely accidentally helpful in some ways, like the ability to hold them far apart in any old configuration. They're also pretty unfriendly with those TEENY TINY buttons, and the need for fine motor control in detaching them from the Switch in the first place.
I know I haven't delved too deeply into the utter lack of accessibility options on the Nintendo Switch and in games in general — adjustable text size is a particular bugbear of mine — but fear not, I'm going to keep banging the accessibility drum as much as I possibly can, and this Soapbox certainly isn't my last word on the matter.
For now, I'll leave it at this: I would love to see more controllers that let you split your hands in the way that Joy-Con do. Most accessibility controllers are huge blocks with large buttons on them, like the Hori Flex, although some come with buttons that you can put anywhere you please (as our own Alex demonstrates with his lovely feet). Disabilities, after all, are as wide-ranging as the characters in Smash Bros, and not everyone is served by the same kind of accessibility services.
As we all age, we're all much more likely to need those accessibility services, though — and if I keep up rollerskating, I'll probably have many more injury-related sick days, too.
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Comments 52
Feel better, Kate! Once you fall off the horse, get back on! Roller skating is fun once you get the hang of it.
they fun, versatile get-the-job-done controllers. i use them sideways all the time for multiplayer and in pairs so i can awkwardly lay on my bed as i hold them
but im always on the edge of my seat waiting for them to break, 4 of them started drifting and 2 of the have broken sr and sl buttons
Yea don't feel like staying in one spot move anywhere and you can probably still play with them
I much prefer splitting the controllers and loved the Wiimote and Nunchuck for that reason. Unfortunately the Joy-Cons are the biggest pile of trash on the planet and I have to use my Pro Controller playing off TV. Gonna have to buy a new set probably but they’re unbelievably terribly made.
the Joy-Con are more utility than comfort. and that is perfectly fine (when they work). the ability to split them up is definitely good for lazy days and/or sick days, and being able to pass one to somebody for co-op play is a real boon.
when the Joy-Con aren't drifting or having sync issues, they're marvelous.
@Zag_Man The fact I’ve had four separate sticks die in 3 years makes me think it’s not the actual stick’s fault. Something inside is just crap. I can’t be bothered replacing them anymore, it’s a lot of fiddly work with my sausage fingers.
You're a joy to read Kate. Thank you for your thoughts on this. I completely agree with you as I've had De Quervain’s Tendinosis for a bit now and other disabilities. It really helps that I can detach and play while laying in bed or with my arms to my sides. Especially with more casual games like Mario Golf or RTS games. Otherwise I use my PS4 controller with my Switch instead.
This one had to be a Kate contribution, I could tell before the click.
Was not disappointed as these tend to be whimsical, topical, and timely... I think it's just fun to read slice of life stuff more than it is to get all caught up in rankings and wordy fluff.
@OptometristLime Controversy, thine name isn't Kate.
@nessisonett only had one left joycon have drift since I bought in 2018, it an easy fix to replace the stick and I haven't had problems since. 😉
I love to just flop my arms to my sides when I play. My friend with back probably blens love the freedom it gives her. The design is great, if only they weren't plagued with mechanical issues
This is so true.
I do this constantly so ur definitely not alone.. no better feeling than the JoyCon spread.. legs kicked up just vibin
They aren't bad for most games, I actually really like the dpad which most people seem to disagree on but for shooters the analog sticks are useless, even with gyro to help compensate. But if you just play Zelda and Mario, basically anything but a shooter they are pretty great controllers really, just be prepared to have to maintain them because of the drift.
They’re fun controllers but sadly the joycons are too busted. Never had any that didn’t drift after a month or two, so ridiculous and all my friends have the same experience.
“Aren’t perfect” is a complete understatement.
@Deviant-Dork you'd be surprised haha
Some folks make it a point to wake up on the wrong side of the bed, I don't foresee any such controversies here though!
Ha. Enjoyed that write up. Hope you mend soon (and 30 is not old by the way. Whatcha tryin' to say!).
Yeah the variety of joycons are cool and they remind me of the wiimote era with one major difference.
None of my wiimotes bust so easily even after extensive use by various age groups. None of my nunchucks bust after the same usage. Yet the joycons bust after barely a year if that!
Great when they work but one of the most "brittle" controllers I have ever played with.. Great when they work, but....
I've spent 95% of my docked time on the Switch with joy cons. I thought I'd miss the D-pad but it turns out I kind of just don't. I think the short stick makes them feel fine with 2D games. I beat cuphead no problem, despite my friend thinking I was a madman.
I don't know. It is my preferred way to play. I just love the split control design and wish there were more options for the other consoles. Though I would agree they aren't perfect.
@LEGEND_MARIOID I'M ANCIENT
@KateGray Kate Gray The Eternal
Joy con are nice, when they work.
Joy-con(s). That hurt my eyes...
@KateGray Great. So by Nintendo Life standards I am geriatric. Awesome sauce.
Hoh boy....
(That was from Quantum Leap, way before your time....)
The joy con are my favorite nintendo controllers to date, the failings of analog sticks aside. I couldn’t imagine playing Splatoon without them!
I had a similar experience with the Wiimote and nunchuck. I've had the flu: fever, aching muscles, congested nose, during a pretty cold winter.
I would play Mario Galaxy under a blanket, having my arms crossed like I was a mummy in a sarcophagus holding those scepter-things. It was pretty cozy
@LEGEND_MARIOID I think I just feel old because I have bad knees and wrists! Don't worry, you're not old
I can always tell if an article is Kate's before I even click on it. And I promise that's a compliment! Get well soon x
I am glad you wrote this up. I am an old gamer that have a lot of miles on my wrists and nerves and if I am not careful they can blow up with pain. So for any game that I can just hold the joycons in separate hands and position my arms in a comfortable way those are the go to games to play when you are healing up.
Joy-con are brilliant and are almost exclusively all I've used since March 3rd 2017.
@boxyguy I really like them, I just hate living with the fear that, eventually, they’ll drift, it just shouldn’t be a thing anymore..
I hope you feel better soon.
I’ve played with my arms crossed (and didn’t realize I’d done it until later) so yay for wireless split controller freedom!
Binbok third party joycons. Comfier than official ones. The dpad on them sucks though.
1. I also tried to learn how to skate starting in my mid-20s. I tried inline, then quads, then these weird things from Brookstone. No major injuries, but it just never happened for me. Of course, I don't regret trying something new!
2. If a game journalist plays games when they're incapacitated, are they still working??
3. "I've always enjoyed the chaos of Joy-Con." You mean "freedom." If it the Joy-Cons were "chaotic" you'd have to hold them differently from one time to the next or be unable to predict what buttons did what, etc.
I’ve not had any issues with any Joycons.
Nice REM reference
I will go to bed smarter tonight. I had no idea Joy-Con was the plural of Joy-Con.
Yes! This was my favorite thing about the Wii Remote & Nin-chuck combo. It’s not AS free as the Joy-Cons but I would sprawl with one arm on the back of my chair and the other on the arm of the chair and wiggle my way through Twilight Princess.
I'm still tempted to splurge on the Animal Crossing Switch, even with the OLED model launched. That's how obsessed I am with the color aesthetic...
I wish the AC Direct on Friday would announce an Animal Crossing OLED Switch, even though that probably won't happen >_<
@KateGray 💅Photos of said longer nails.
Asking for a friend 😅
I've always hated the joy-cons, they feel so tiny and cheap. Designed to have multiple functions that all feel mediocre instead of doing 1 thing really well. Everytime I went back to my WiiU the gamepad felt like the best controller ever, just because I was used to the joy-cons.
When my original joy-cons started to drift I got myself the hori split-pad and even though it's to big and clunky for me I'm never going back to regular joy-cons.
I love the splitting feature of them too, but drift has completely ruined that for me. Oh well...
I always play with split Joy-Con - it's just so nice to have the freedom to have my hands wherever I want and sit however I want. Oh, and I feel gyro-aim works best that way too: using the right Joy-Con to aim like a laser pointer. Works great even when resting my arm against the sofa.
@KateGray Your articles always make me happy. I can relate as I have the flu 🤒. I wish I had working joy-cons right now haha.
Damn, get well, Kate.
To be honest though, I've never had much of a problem with Joy Con drift. I've only ever had drift once and I got free repairs for those (they also paid for shipping). The only problem I have with Joy Cons is short control stick range - it's more difficult to do precision with those controllers, especially when playing a game like Splatoon 2 or any other shooter game.
@Pokester99
...and run the risk of damaging the wire in between the Wiimote and Nunchuk, not to mention most of the Wii games require some sort of pointing towards the screen. Plus, the Wii Remote and Nunchuk combined still doesn't have the same number of buttons as a pair of Joy Cons and it also lacks a second control stick. That's why Joy Cons are particularly unique.
You can't get the true Switch experience without Joycon drift.
I shattered my elbow to smithereens in a bike accident last year and I did the same with the Joy-Cons for the first few months of my recovery.
It definitely helped to use the separate Joy-Cons when my hand was too weak to support holding the Pro controller.
I definitely got lucky that I only lost sensation in the parts of my hand that doesn't need to be doing any button inputs or I'd have lost my favorite hobby
It's not just drift, the side rail buttons/lights fail quickly too. I actually really like the joycon design, but they are so unreliable, especially for so expensive a controller.
The JoyCon is the worst controller I've ever used. It has almost no redeeming qualities. Too small, too fragile and too expensive to replace when something inevitably breaks.
I don’t often get ill… if ever come to think of it?!? Don’t recall the last cold or flu I had.
However I flippin love Joycons. I’ve got them all except for the Pokémon ones and Fortnite. Pokémon because as much as it’s known I adore the series I don’t like the Let’s Go-ness of it. And Fortnite because that game is genuine *****.
My fave now are the white joycons that came with my OLED Switch. White and grey make a nice combination.
I'd like to know how many people who complain about drift have actually tried cleaning them (not talking taking them apart!). I've only ever had one Joy-Con from day 1 get sticky (not-drift) and a bit of contact cleaner under the seal sorted it fine. Used my original pair and subsequent pair for hundreds of hours without issue. My original joy-con are a little looser now but that's pretty normal with any joystick.
In my opinion they're no worse than any other controller for drifting. I've had multiple DualShock 4's drift as have friends, same with Xbox controllers, so it's a very common problem.
It still kind of irks me that Nintendo still only do one size of joy-con. For a system that can switch out controllers I’d have thought some larger ones with bigger buttons and better separation between the buttons and sticks would have been a good seller.
I know I’d have bought some! My right thumb frequently knocks the right analogue stick when I’m trying to press the B button because they’re too close together. I know there are third party options but they always seem to be compromised in some way, like no gyro or no rumble.
Also, with things like the upcoming N64 emulator, while it’s cool to be getting a recreation of the original N64 controller, it would have been really cool to get a right joy-con with 2 main buttons and 4 c-buttons for N64 games.
It feels to me like Nintendo haven’t embraced the Switch’s ability to switch as much as they could have. Of course there’s always the danger of a return to the Wii era where it was drowning in random plastic crap.
@Pokester99 But then you won't have an excuse if you die in a extremely easy game or on an easy level
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