Throughout the many comments we read from Nintendo fans on a daily basis, the one recurring theme behind any Switch Lite doubts has revolved around the possibility of stick drift - and particularly how repairing such an issue would be more of a problem in the Lite than with the original model.
We think the Switch Lite is a really decent piece of kit, but the one thing we couldn't assess in our hardware review was this fear of any potential drift. We've seen it be reported by a frightening number of original model owners, but the issues started to appear a year or two into the system's lifespan. With Switch Lite, we'll need more time to figure out whether or not the same problems will occur - the early signs are strangely conflicting.
So, if the Switch Lite does encounter these problems (we emphasise the 'if' because Nintendo may well have tweaked something under the hood to combat the issue without us realising), then how much of a problem will it be to fix? Well, Nintendo's official repair pricing guide for Japan gives us a small indication.
According to Nintendo's website, sending in an original Joy-Con to have stick issues fixed will cost you 2,160 yen including tax, assuming you have no warranty left. That's just for one Joy-Con, so sending in two would cost you 4,320 yen. To have a Switch Lite's sticks fixed, you'd have to pay 4,860 yen, which we're sure would be charged regardless of the number of sticks that have a fault.
So not only does sending in a Switch Lite cost more than having both your Joy-Con sorted, but should you only have an issue with one stick, it would essentially end up costing you more than double the amount it would have cost for a single Joy-Con. Not only that, but you'd obviously be without the whole console for the duration of the repair.
The prices we've mentioned above only relate to Switch owners in Japan, so western players might face completely different pricing structures. Assuming pricing would remain fairly consistent across the board, though, you might be looking at some slightly pricey repairs if the system does develop any issues.
Have you picked up a Switch Lite? Are you at all concerned about the potential risk of stick drift in the future? Share your thoughts with us below.
[source nintendo.co.jp, via nintendosoup.com]
Comments 49
Annnnd yep, even less interest in getting this.
Though largely because I have a perfectly fine original Switch. No need to downgrade.
I think you just gotta live life and enjoy things. I have seen plenty of worn out DS and 3DS consoles but that never stopped me from enjoying mine. Hopefully this won't be an issue and I could see people modding these as opposed to getting them repaired if it does become an issue.
Maybe stop designing analog sticks that have issues after a few months, Nintendo...
Jesus christ. If the Lites are plagued with drifting issues, there needs to be another lawsuit.
Every LITE: No drift...
Everyone: OMG THE LITE DRIFT IS GONNA BE AWFUL!
Hopefully they have changed the design for this because it's simply unacceptable that such products have these problems in this day and age. Somehow I've escaped this issue so far apart from in Mario Maker 2 for some reason but no issues in any other game as of yet. But considering I have Gamecube controllers that are just as good as they were day 1 there really is no excuse, even my N64 controllers work fine and I still have 2 that have never been used just in case.
That lawsuit did nothing for us in Europe. I've sent for repair both right joycons of my 2 sets, being forced to pay for something that should just work in such a small time!
I got my switch on launch day and I've never had drift issues, or met anyone that does. I think this problem is probably more rare than the internet makes it seem.
Is it just me or are we just getting an influx of Switch Lite articles that are just causing anger and same comments over and over.
We get it already, if you are going to buy something there will always be risks. I don’t mind all the info but maybe say hey this will cost 5 US dollars more to repair. It makes it sound like “OMG THIS IS THE WORST THING EVER, DO NOT BUY”
That’s how I read it at least.
Nintendo needs to just bite the bullet and fix all drift issues for free. Yeah it'll cost a fortune but it's worth the hit to keep their reputation for hardware excellence in tact. I've been lucky to avoid the issue on mu launch system (probably because I play mostly docked with a Pro controller) but it seems widespread.
I’ll do my own repairs if it comes to it with replacement sticks. I had to swap out a drifting stick on my Wii U gamepad so this issue ain’t new to me
Ok, but have any of the joycon that were produced after the update gotten drift? the material is the same sure, but the structure is different no?
At least it makes a change from reading about OLED burn in.
@Xelha what are these "new" joycons? I can a pair of the neon green and pink which were one of the later color options, and my left pink one drifts.
I was under the impression the whole stick part is one piece that is basically of the shelf. Ie not designed specifically by Nintendo but chosen. And that part hasn't changed.
Spawn Wave said they could have made changes to the original design. The part number was different from the original Switch, he noted that during his teardown.
As the Asia song goes, “Only Time Will Tell.” I wish Nintendo Life would quit running hit pieces. The OG Switch has this problem, it hasn’t been documented on the Lite model yet.
Why don’t we wait and see? Let new Lite owners enjoy their systems.
@Rika_Yoshitake You do realize none of the drift problems happened straight out the box, right? Give it at least one month.
Honestly, I think people are judging this issue way too early. It’s not even a month, and the Switch Lite has just been released. I think we should wait, and see what happens.
I could see Nintendo already having the Switch Lite designed and ready to manufacture before they "acknowledged" the drifting issue. We'll simply have to wait and see.
@Branovices I got a switch october 2018 and I've played a lot on handheld mode with zero issues. Seems weird how big issue the drifting is supposed to be when you yourself have encountered none of it. Now that I said it my joycons might start to drift soon haha.
I haven't experienced any issues with my only set of joycons on my old switch I got october 2018. That said I'll wait for some time before buying a switch lite (if I even get one) just to see how those things stand heavy gaming. If they have something that breaks easily I'm sure Nintendo has to fix them and maybe release a better model too.
This is why old is much better sometimes.
If the prices for fixing a "switch" lite joycon drift are already known, then it is only logical to assume that not only is nintendo aware of it but also prepared.
F... you nintendo
you would think the stick calibration setting would fix the issues
@aVagabond Hey watch your tone dude..
@ShinyUmbreon
I didn't say anything dude
@BarefootBowser
"Switch Lite Stick Drift Repairs Will Cost More Than Original Joy-Con, In Japan At Least" - that's the title of the article.
My logic is based on that and on mentioned prices
@able_to_think they no longer have a reputation for hardware excellence.
People are thinking of here and now, but what about in 10 years? Most people who are obsessed with the Switch now will move on to the next console, but what about preserving the system and games? Fortunately the system can be docked at least. (The original)
I don't understand why you would want a switch that doesn't switch.
Nintendo's been bad a communicating when it isn't in support of their products.
YES, admitting "there was a problem and we fixed it now" IS supporting the products, but that would still be speaking ill of their prior work. I don't think they ever officially announced they were going to absorb stick drift repairs to the public.
@BarefootBowser
There is no "drift" in my quote? Ooooook?
I guess I can't read then. Whatever.
Adios
I have really bad luck, I bought my old Switch model few months back and immediately noticed the drift on my left Joy-con, I didn't know about the issue for several weeks. Some time it happens like 3 times in one hour playing, some time once a day. But still it was fresh new console and the drift was already there. I will need it fixed some time I think if it gets worse, even now it is a problem since I play some games when you die when you do a mistake, so it ruined my gaming several times.
At least in Europe Nintendo must repair the Switch Lite for free up to two years after purchase.
Time will tell. The Switch Lite is not for me as I play 95% docked but I hope for both consumers and Nintendo the drift issue is not a thing with the Switch Lite.. Let's just see what the next few month's bring...
This is frustrating, because it took them 8 months to repair my joy con that drifted the first two months of me having them
I vote with my wallet. The Lite is doomed. My old PSP's never had this issue.
@spirit_flame
Let's not rush with conclusions. Give it a year or two ☺
I'm actually disappointed by the Non-sensical "ClickBait" nature of this article...
@Dalrint DON'T PANIC! Nintendo has you covered i you want to buy a Switch that Docks to the TV (you can just buy a normal Switch).
Well, more than free is certainly more expensive.
@aVagabond It's been a year and couple of months since I got my Switch. Both Joycons now lost to drift. I play with Pro Controller now. On the one hand gaming has got better, more accurate moves. Negative is the loss of HD Rumble. So, I give it a year top's friend.
@cfgk24 I'm not panicking. I literally just don't understand why you'd want a switch that doesn't switch. It's basically the same size, so it's not really any more 'portable' than the regular switch. But it does less stuff.
It's a broken switch.
@able_to_think This is a multi-billion-dollar company that absolutely refuses to lose a single cent, even when the issue is clearly theirs. Nintendo may sell affordable consoles, but they always make damn sure they get your money through other means.
Granted, maybe other companies would also charge to fix XYZ (not just Nintendo), but that isn't necessarily a valid excuse.
@KRoman47 ive had mine since launch and still no issues
The onus really is on Nintendo to announce how they’ve fixed the drift issue with the Lite - considering they have admitted it is an issue on the original Switch (which took them far too long to acknowledge in my opinion). It’s not up to the customer to ‘wait and see’. If Nintendo don’t release a statement, then I have to assume that nothing has changed, and that rules me out of a second Switch for my daughter (along with the crappy family-share model, but that’s a different story).
@Rika_Yoshitake Yo, update the news feed... Even if you try to claim conspiracy then, just wait.
It can be 100 yen or 5000 yen. Any amount you need to pay to fix the defective Nintendo design is nonsense.
They will just get sued for this also. They fixing both of mine for free, they will end up doing the same for the LITE.
@Darkyoshi98 Yeah, that information really helps me, it fixed mine drifting Joy-con, thanks.
@Jayofmaya there's literally been 3 reports and 2 have been debunked, nice tinfoil.
@Rika_Yoshitake Cool man, I'll enjoy my third party good controllers on my real switch and you can keep your portable only, prone-to-breaking handheld... Or perhaps you just like brown nosing companies like the pre-pubescent fan girl of a pop sensation? Either way, I'll gladly be sceptical with reasonable doubt of a so far flawed product.
What a complete mess!!
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...