Valve's Steam Deck Hopes To Avoid Switch's Joy-Con Drift Issues

I hope they avoid it too. The PlayStation and Xbox get their sticks from the same supplier Nintendo does, so I hope they are using someone else or have a better grade.

I have experienced drift in one of my friend's joy-cons, but not in my three pairs I own. Nor have any of my PlayStation or Xbox controllers exhibit those issues.

@Zuljaras I'm waiting for Gabe's amnesia to kick in next year. "What's a Steam Deck? Just download SteamOS on your PC for free." Haha. Just kidding.

@moodycat I’ve not had it on my DualSense but got awful drift on my DualShock 4.

Got my reservation in, opted for the 512gb version, I think there's room in the market for this system, it's no threat to any of the current players - it is however a threat to the Hong Kong companies such as GPD, Aya etc but it may well make them up their game.

It’s good to see Nintendo is getting competition in this handheld market.

@Zuljaras,

It will need to as the sticks are part of the overall unit.

Interesting! I definitely know that some parts are better than others. My first joy con drifted after 6 months of playing about an hour a day, but my Xbox 360 controller for my PC didn’t start drifting until about 10 years after I got it. So hopefully, Valve is using whatever the best parts are for this thing!

Why would it have drift issues? Lol
This site still can't come to terms that the deck is better than the Switch. Even the users here are not falling for it.

He uses the word 'think' in that paragraph 4 times, he never uses the word 'won't'.

Drift is a hell, but at least it's "only" on the controller, you can use a spare Controller until you fix or spend 80 bucks for another one. Steam deck don't use detached controllers, if it drift you can use spare, but to send to a costumer service you need to send the controller itself or buy other console (at least 399 bucks). Yes, it should be incomparable worst if Steam Deck drift

@The_New_Butler

Most?
Also...you can swap the joycon out and yet, drift still exist. Lol

Name one handheld that had drift issues other than the Switch. Then show me the article stating that handheld was unplayable and couldn't be fixed.

@Thatsalie Sony and Xbox also have stick drift issues. It’s an industry wide problem — not “Nintendont”.

FWIW I think Steam Deck looks awesome and does well.

@moodycat even Xbox controllers do it too but more often in dualsense and joy con. So stick drift isn’t anything really new

I think all these companies need to get in touch with the company who made the clicky sticks for the Neo Geo Pocket. 20 odd years later and it still works perfectly for me.

@Thatsalie it will drift eventually not as bad as Switch joy con. But eventually the Steam Deck will drift eventually

And as others said, Sony and Xbox also have drifting controllers too

@The_New_Butler literally any controller whether it is Steam Deck or Xbox Or PlayStation or Switch will drift at some point in its life. It’s just worse on Switch and also bad on Dualsense for PlayStation

@Zuljaras yeah. Just wait until like late 2022 or early 2023 to get it

Well let's hope so as the switch joy con's canbe replaced easily whilst th steam decks can't

At first I thought it was Valve needlessly trying to throw shade, but that doesn't seem the case. I honestly hope they can avoid having a drift issue like the Big Three seem to all be dealing with in some way.

@progx You can already download and install SteamOS on your PC:

https://store.steampowered.com/steamos/buildyourown

All instructions to do so

And like with the Steam Link, Steam Controllers and Steam Machines (it's basically a portable Steam Machine) which all failed, I don't see a very bright or long future for the Steam Deck. Luckily it's an "open" device so you can always just install an alternative OS on it and use it like that.

@progx Power A Gamepads drifts too.

My Power A Gamepad is used 5 hours at most, and both analogue sticks drifts.

@The_New_Butler I googled it up. And there are reports of Xbox one controllers drifting as well. Dualsense and joy con drift issues are wide well known.

It’s all over google anyway. So there is the evidence there.

I feel stick drift is just one issue that can not go away. Every controller will drift at some point. But some do it early and some do it like later on

@The_New_Butler

So, why would the steam deck have this issue again? Its specific right? The assumption of drift was never a factor in the sense of buyers concern until the Switch arrived. Seems weird to say it will happen eventually since you don't know the degree of said drift.

Just find it funny that drift on a product non Nintendo related is a topic of concern on this site when Nintendo still hasn't figured it out and Switch users literally run out to spend 80 dollars to replace this problem without blinking an eye only to have the problem again.

If you want to live on assumption then let's assume that Value will fix this issue in the future if it comes up.

@Zuljaras I ain’t buying Steam Deck for a while.

I am gonna make a gaming PC instead and KEEP my Switch until a new model or new console from Nintendo will arrive

@sanderev I was kidding about Gabe Newell's comment. I know you can download SteamOS to your X86 based machine. Hopefully, ARM-based PCs will get support at some point. A Raspberry Pi Steam box would rock.

Looking forward to playing my Steam games that haven't/won't ever come to console, on the Steam deck. Portable GTFO, i'm in, portable Battletech, i'm in. Then i have my old copy of Witcher 3, Batman games, Resident evil VII and VIII, a choice of Monster hunter World And Rise, Horizon and Death Stranding. The Steam deck will have an awfully strong library of games to access from day one. Exciting times.

@progx

I don't get it.
Some of their Products didn't kick off, but Steam Link lives on in Software in many Devices.
My Android TV and Smartphone for Example.
The Index is still supported end they sell it, neat Device.

Let's wait a while before confirming this hahaha.

@FargusPelagius just remember, they are not going to optimize games for Steam Deck. You'll be downloading the full fat PC version (size and all). Since Micro SD caps off at 1TB, if you have the top of the line deck 512GB, you'd get a 1.5TB total. Some of these games weigh a ton on PC.

I'll be playing old stuff on my $399 model.

@Azuris, chill out, it's a joke. The Steam Machines were suppose to be console replacements and they pretended it didn't existed not even a year later. I hope the Steam Deck doesn't go that direction. Their non-PC hardware devices have done all right. I wouldn't say Steam Link is a device everyone has in their home compared to an Apple TV, Roku, Fire Stick or Chromecast.

Until some company invests the R&D into some sort of like… sealed enclosure analog stick, this will continue to be a bit of a spectre to some degree for most controllers AFAIK. The Switch has the added hurdle of that graphite dust, but most sticks can drift given the right amount of environmental abuse.

@Lordplops To me, it’s a massive threat to the ‘other players’ - I had already pre-ordered the OLED switch for example (already have the lite)... cancelled to pre-order this instead.

Of course Nintendo still has it’s benefits, mainly in the games themselves, but the one thing Steam is doing here is at least ‘attempting’ to listen to the consumers, the opposite of what we generally see from Nintendo.

Personally, the one thing I’ve always wanted is to play games that come to PS4 / PC etc. but not to Switch, such as Ace Combat, F1, Forza, Killer Instinct, or even Micro Machines (possibly not the best choice, but still not on Switch). Nice to know that all the options are there. I’ll still have a Switch but one way or another it’s definitely in competition with Nintendo regardless of whether Nintendo sees it that way or not - consumers have limited money and ‘most’ are are unlikely to choose two handhelds... or less will at least.

This still "Nintendo Life" right?

Okay im loving this device more and more.
This will be a day one buy from me.
Valve! You convinced a hardcore Nintendo fan.

Don't worry, no company would be dumb enough to have their inbuilt controllers not work correctly OH WAIT

I hope this thing succeeds! It may not be for me necessarily, but i think it looks like an interesting device that seems to address a number of things that a portion of the switch user base wants. Something should force nintendo to improve where they need improvements.

While I don’t trust Valve in the slightest when it comes to hardware, I do hope we see higher quality when it comes to this drifting issue. My Xbox Pro Controller (first series), has a bad drift issue.

@FargusPelagius Truly. I’ve been holding out on the announcements for Dark Souls 2 & 3 for the Switch, but now I don’t have to wait, AND I know they will run more smoothly. Valve is winning.

@FTL
Nintendo has no need to care about other players unless a bunch of those “impossible” ports start dominating the sales charts which hasn’t happened yet and will likely remain that way.

I'll wait to see how this device pans out. Too many folks making some really early decelerations before this thing is actually released.

I'm also a bit skeptical on this being that much of threat to the Switch. Maybe amongst the lot here and other gamers who game both on PC and consoles. But I can't see the casual gamer or a parent of a young child, for that matter, choosing this over a Switch when it comes time for it. But then again, consumers can be a surprising bunch.

Interesting how the first dude talks about how reliable the parts are and then gives himself an out by saying, "I mean, obviously every part will fail at some point..."

@FTL time will tell, but it's win win for us gamers 😀

But.. it looks kinda ugly. Where’s the slick design? Just a plastic brick..

They look like proper analogue-sticks, I don't think there will be much drift.

They may hope all they want, the fact of the matter is this thing is going to be pack with features that at some point drifting may still occur and occur more often. It's like saying you're opening a mall and hope no thieves are coming. Face facts, they will come, not immediately but it'll happen. Like I said in past post, older devices and controller had less features therefore doesn't suffer from drift as much just like a smaller convenience store which doesn't had much in a way of interesting items therefore doesn't had as big of theft issues compare to a mall or supermarket.

I hope to avoid the drift as long as possible...

That's good. As competition has driven prices lower (good for end consumer) the quality has also pushed the boundaries of acceptability.

Switch analogs are highly susceptible to drift. PS5 analogs are highly susceptible to drift. Xbox Elite controller had a ton of issues too, IIRC.

You can never make any guarantees, and all parts will eventually fail, but good on Valve for at least being mindful of the risk and doing what they can to source more reliable parts.

Well I can say that my OLED Vita that I've had since a week after launch in february 2012, has never had a single drifting issue after more than 2000 hours of use. It can be done.

My Switch Lite, which I've had since march 2020 and I've spent 550 hours plus playing, I've had no drifting issues with either.

But then again I bought a case for both when I bought them, and always keep them in those when not using them to avoid dust and dirt to get into them.

Good. Playing Skyward Sword with the drift is making me want to punch something. The game has sensitive camera controls which slowly change my perspective into bird's-eye view and slowly bring my attention towards this system. There is nothing more annoying running around with faulty camera controls. So if it turns out Nintendo continues on selling drifty sticks on OLED I might buy this system and start emulating. Why would I inconvenience myself to play on broken hardware again..

@Dante52uk That is if that company still exist anymore.

How the heck are people having this drift problem with every other controller suddenly? I've never had it with anything. Not when I had Switch either. As for the Steam deck, I couldn't be less interested. I already have a PC and I don't need another portable one.
P.S. If it was just for the games, I would trade my PC to get a new Switch at this point.

@Thatsalie
It's because all current-gen 1st-party controllers experience issues with drift. Joy Cons, Switch Pro, DualSense, and Xbox controller all experience drift, just the Joy Cons are the most common of them all.

It has nothing to do with Nintendo Life reluctant about displaying their opinions - literally the reason why Soapbox articles exist on this site, not exclusively News that is FACTUAL and mostly UNBIASED.

@Cia
Part of it comes from crappy maintenance or usage of the controller - not everyone uses their controllers the same way. I also haven't experienced drift until way later on.

Can we like… stop talking about this thing?

@ModdedInkling in my case it seems to have come about from lack of use for a few months and probably some dust
@Renart

Oh dang yall really trying to lay it on nintendo are ya?

@Shadowmoon522
Yeah, that's the weird issue I also had with my Joy Cons that caused it to drift, even though I put my Switch away in a case for about 3 weeks without touching it.

@Crockin This is an open source device just like every other open source devices out there (MiSter, Retro Pi, Ouya, GPD Win, GPD XD, Pocket Go, AYA Neo, OneXPlayer, Dingoo, Game Station X, Alienware Alpha, DragonBox Pyra, GP32, OpenPandora, Steam Machines, Atari VCS, Nvidia Shield, your phone, your laptop, your PC, etc.). Open source devices had the option to install or upgrade into much better OS and are constantly updating their apps and performances but open source devices also had their own issues. The majority of open source platforms companies are not responsible for fixing issues that occur if the user install any exploit that renders their device unusable or brick their system. Also most fix would be considered but won't be guaranteed.

Basically if you're buying an open source device, you're buying it to do whatever you want with it whether to play games, create a project, use it for gambling, start a business, communication, create a store front, make movies, make games, pirate stuff, make a hobby out of it, etc. This is different from closed source devices like the Switch, PS Vita, 3DS, EverCade, PS4, PS5, GameCube, Dreamcast, and PlayDate which are design to only play proprietary games, apps, or software. You could turn those closed source systems into open source if you want but such system like the PS4, PS5, and Switch which are still supported by their manufacturer may void your warranty or ban your account if you use those device for anything outside their own OS.

While open source devices may sound like the better devices out there, know that your devices aren't protected and aren't guaranteed to last or fix if such an issue like stick drift, screen rot, glitch in the system, damage processor, or battery leak were to happen unlike official close source devices which are cover by the manufacturing company themselves and would see to fix any issue if such are to occur. Think of open source and close source platforms as your own home. Would you rather leave your door open all the time so that any one could come and mess around with it or would you leave it lock all the time so that only you could enter and do your thing? Note what happen to the Ouya, Steam Machines, and Atari VCS and how those don't sell that well compare PSP, PS Vita, 3DS, PS4, and Switch.

While the Steam Deck is an interesting product, it's ambition and offering are pretty much like every other open source devices already out there.

Ninty's design is ultimately better, though the specs could of course be better. I'm sure Ninty will eventually make a Switch2 (preferable to just a slight listen upgrade) if DS to 3DS and all the DS and 3DS iterations in their history are anything to go off of.

But I say Switch is more smartly designed bc 1) has a kickstand, actually quite convenient for portable play and to avoid hand strain and 2) if drift does happen to Steam Deck, then what? With Switch you could always replace the joycon, or sync a different controller, and bc the joycon is electrically a separate device, you can separate it for any attempts to repair so it won't destroy the main system.

The Steam Deck does look cool though and I do think having the Steam library portable would be fantastic. The standard controller buttons/sticks look a bit odd being so high up, I'd be curious to hear how it feels/plays later

@Ghost_of_Hasashi omg I’m not reading all that

weird how it suddenly became a thing with the newer generation, but its good to at least get reassurance from them at all. nintendo could learn a thing or two from them, theyve been on top for so long i hope the steam deck makes nintendo want to do better

@Thatsalie Because stick drift isn’t exclusive to Nintendo products? Also this article isn’t from Nintendo Life, they’re referencing IGN. Did you even bother reading a single word of this thing or did you just read the headline and jump straight to the comments?

@UmbreonsPapa I'm with you. I can't understand all these people who are saying they're abandoning Switch for this. I mean, I get that it looks great on paper, but you're literally jumping ship because some dude said his theoretical product is going to be amazing. Nobody has played games on this yet, no one has even seen one in person, no one knows how it controls or how reliable it is or what the screen experience is like.

For all we know at this point, the sticks could drift just as badly as the Switch's do or worse. The triggers could break, the screen could be terrible, the whole thing could feel like a Soulja Boy console for all we know. But some people here are like, "thanks Gabe, you've convinced a lifelong Nintendo fan" on the basis of a single press kit.

Don't get me wrong, I get the excitement. Steam is a great platform, and - on paper - this thing looks really cool. If it holds up in the field this is definitely an exciting product. But I for one am not just taking Gabe's word for it - I want to hear from some third parties before I spend several hundred dollars on a new toy from a company that is not known for hardware.

(Edited for readability)

@Thatsalie Best is subjective, power wise yes absolutely the Deck is better but Nintendo fans don't buy systems for power we buy them for Nintendo specific IPs which as software are second to none. If you qualify best by consumer sales and reception the Deck is unlikely to dethrone Switch. In the end just buy and play what makes you happy and that's "best" for you.

@BAN

Calm down bud. Typical Nintendo user. Gets really defensive when Nintendo is below a better product. Also...this site refers to a lot of articles. By your logic if its not positive enough it didn't come from here? I read it. Did you?

@CromAstronomy

Sure you buy the games for the graphics...unless they are bad then you pretend you don't.

@yuwarite Cool. I may have to explore that one some day. However, my Steam Deck needs, I'm not too worried about having a lack of storage, especially with my spare 400 GB SD card I used to have in my Switch. I'll be playing older titles on it. Maybe try out the mouse/keyboard thing too with a spare monitor.

Yeah. I caught a YouTube video about the file sizes. The upside about a platform like the Switch, developers will have optimized the storage (most of the time) and you'll have room to store quite a bit on a 512 GB SD Card. While I hope the Steam Deck will get this type of support, I'm not confident it'll happen with how Steam distributes it's software. In fact, the other stores don't have different types of installs for your hardware either. That's on you, which is the point of PC gaming, you create your storage. My homebuilt PC has two 3.5" drives for my data combined for 3.5TB, Windows runs off a 512 GB M2 and Ubuntu on a 250GB SSD (it does not have access to my combined storage).

While I don't know what it looks like on the inside, I could see Valve adding a user accessible slot for storage in future versions. But, I don't want to think about new Steam Decks until we get past the first version.

In that same YouTube video, he mentioned the Steam Deck should be called the "Gabe Gear." Steam Deck could be the Switch's Game Gear competitor, but I think the battery will hold out better than that system ever did. Haha.

@progx Yeah it'll have storage woes like Switch i already know. However it can connect to a USB C dock, which can connect to a bigger HDD, so you can transfer games as and when, much like Xbox Series S/X right now. Which also have woeful storage. It takes up to 20 minutes to transfer a game across HDD or 2-3 hours to redownload. I know which i prefer already.
I totally understand that none of the Steam Decks have what i would class as "adequate" storage. They should have run with at least 2 micro SD slots (i'd have put a bank of 4 on, there cost is negligible). Why they always think 1 is enough baffles me.

@BloodNinja Aye i already own the Dark Souls games on Steam too. All things considered, Valve have timed this right.

Valve are going to be left looking a bit stupid over this one.

They use precisely the same Alps 3d analogue stick module as the Playstation, Xbox and Switch Pro controllers. All of these controllers are prone to drifting and other issues relating to the carbon contacts getting worn and scratched in use.

https://gfycat.com/fabulousmeaslyirishredandwhitesetter-steam-deck-hardware

Pause at 1.3 seconds. That's precisely the same off the shelf component that everyone else uses. As stated above, this isn't a Nintendo specific issue (although the slim Alps unit Nintendo specced for the Joycons is different and seemingly is easier to damage through normal use). It's an industry wide problem thanks to everyone using the same sub $2 part in their $50+ controllers.

The Steamdeck will end up drifting no matter what BS Valve try to spin on this. My hope is that they have at least made some effort to make the stick module easily user replaceable.

Everything wear out eventually. But considering how much more the Steamdeck costs, even for its cheapest model, it had better be built with higher quality components.

These folks have a habit of releasing hardware and abandoning it shortly after. Even though I find the Steamdeck tempting, I do not trust them to support it for very long.

The advantage with switch if you get drift is you can replace the joycon. With steam deck you’d probably have to send it away at best.

I do like the look of this valve machine though I have to say!

@NinChocolate Personally I don't think the Switch looks great, the Lite looks a lot better with the built in controller form but they both look kinda cheap. Much preferred the look and feel of the Vita

@datamonkey I wish the Switch controllers didn't detach as I feel it ruins the build quality.
Tbh I have never had any controller or handheld drift and I have a Switch and Vita, Xbox one/360 and series X and a PS4 and Switch Pro controllers.
I wander is the cause from being a bit heavy handed with the joy cons.

@FargusPelagius Makes you wonder how long they had it planned!

If the Steam Deck controllers develop any issue — be it drift or whatever else — it’s a total unit repair. With the switch, you simply slot in a new set of joycon.

How many times have you seen a 3DS with a messed up circle pad? This is why you want detachable controllers on a handheld. Modularity FTW.

@mereel "How many times have you seen a 3DS with a messed up circle pad?"

Personally? Never. That was with my whole family owning 3DS systems, and my three kids were very rough on them. My youngest daughter's was literally held together with tape, but the damn thing still worked.

Ok, so I just preordered the Steam Deck 64 GB with an upfront 4 € payment (which means I'll have the option to buy it when it becomes available).

I don't have to buy it, but if I choose to cancel my preorder later than 30 days from now, I will loose my 4 € upfront payment.

Now I'm not totally convinced I want a Steam Deck as of now (there's the weight of it - almost 700 gram - that's quite a lot to hold in your hands, then there's how well the games will run, it having a Linux OS - Steam OS - running them).

And then I want to see if Nintendo comes up with some kind of "answer" to the Steam Deck (to be honest a Pro model Switch capable of running Xbox 360 games through emulation).

I'm not sure if the latter is even in the talks, so it might be a far stretch to hope for it. But that's really where the Steam Deck could come to my "rescue", as there's quite a few games from the PS360 generation I would love to play on a handheld (because I actually prefer to play on handhelds).

It's games like Splinter Cell Conviction and Blacklist, Resident Evil games in 60 fps, Dark Sector (a personal favourite of mine), Lost planet games, Bionic Commando and maybe a few others.

But I guess we will see (but exciting times nonetheless IMO).

Well I haven't bought a new console for well over four years and the money is burning a hole in my pocket. Nintendo don't seem to want it, so I was considering giving it to Sony when the PS5 are more readily available. But the Steam Deck looks interesting, especially the high end variant.

Geez, just drop the “Nintendo” and just start calling yourselves GamerLife or something else already.

@shgamer Got all those games you mentioned in my Steam library 👍
If you are getting into PC gaming sign your self up to the Epic Store and pick up this week's 2 free games. You will have quite a few free games in your library before you get your hands on your Steam Deck, Control was given away free a few months ago.. You don't need a PC to get the game's in your Epic library.
Also check out Humble Choice, 12 games a month for £8.46, includes Dirt 5,The Surge 2 and Yakuza 3 this month. Also Steam,Epic and even Ubisoft sales are very competitively priced

Don't think I've had a controller in the past 4 gens that hasn't drifted at some point. The Joy Cons are a major piece of the Switch puzzle, I assume that is why it's been publicise so much.

Am I heavy handed? Or just all controllers made of cardboards?

Yeah, I've already looked into Steam prices and they have some deep discounts (75%) atm. Resident Evil 4, 5 and for totally 15 € etc.

I don't know about Epic Store. Wouldn't I have to install Windows to use it? Windows do cost money unless it comes pre-installed (which is not the case with Steam Deck).

But thanks anyway, there certainly is a lot opportunities.

Testing if I am able to comment now

@shgamer Remember green man gaming, CD keys and Humble Bundle all sell Steam keys so don't just limit yourself to Steam when you're looking for certain games at cheaper prices.
I am not sure if we will be able to play Epic Store games without installing Windows but I'm sure that will come up in the future. You will be able to stream Xbox Game Pass games though as the Steam Deck has a Chrome browser.

@Thatsalie well, I play a lot of pixel art games so swing and a miss for your assumption.

@hammers1man yes Vita form factor is king of them all. The Vita just needed Nintendo’s touch on the face buttons tho

@hammers1man yes true I get what you’re saying about having detachable controllers lowering the build quality. Though I’d probably rather have that for the option to replace them.

We must be as lucky as each other. I’ve never had drift either on my many consoles in the past. I do remember having trouble with the n64 controller but that was because if you held the joystick in a direction when you booted it up, the console thought that was centered but it wasn’t, so in game for example you’d not touch the stick but would be walking forward or something. Luckily all you had to do to sort it was reboot the n64 without touching the stick. Was so happy when I found that out!

@The_New_Butler Quit your lies already. Sony and Microsoft’s drifting issues ARE just as bad as the joycons. How else would you explain both of them going through the exact same lawsuit Nintendo is going through, and the fact that videos exposing drift on PlayStation and Xbox are just as popular as the ones on Nintendo?

@Thatsalie I am calm. I just find you to be profoundly ignorant and annoying. Also you’re on a Nintendo fan site. You do know that, right?

I didn’t even know joystick drift was a thing until I got my Switch … and it’s as annoying as hell

But then I’m an old fogey who would prefer to game with an Atari 2600 joystick, something you grip instead of wriggle your thumbs on.

And they used to break, lots. Me and a mate used to hunt through the second-hand shops looking for Atari joysticks so we could play Sensible Soccer on the Amiga. But at least they only cost five quid

Now I’m rambling … I told you I was an old fogey

@BAN

Which makes this article all the more awkward...for Nintendo fans. Also...you are angry.

I'm not sure how, but I got my Switch on December 2019 and my Joy-Con R started drifting sometime around November 2020 when I was playing Yooka-Laylee (you can imagine how messy the camera was), it also made playing Tetris 99 a pain, but recently I played some Super Mario Odyssey and the drift seems to have gone.

More tests need to be conducted, though.

But yeah, it'll be interesting to see how Valve manages stick drift when/if happens.

Switch is entering its 5th year and drift is still a major issue. It would be very interesting to see just how much Nintendo has profited off drift, I mean they are reporting record profits. It’s a shame they’re making money of something that is in fact a hindrance to its own gamers. Not saying Nintendo somehow premeditated implementing drift in into its ecosystem just to make $. However their response has been one of denial, we know Nintendo has strict quality assurance measures in place so I just can’t see how they weren’t aware of the defect in their joy cons prior to launch. It’s just a shame that gamers can no longer trust the most important peripheral in all of gaming, Steam Deck isn’t even out yet and here we are already bracing ourselves for more drift

I doubt this will be a Switch killer, but I feel like it's proof that we could (and should) expect better from a company that's been around as long as Nintendo. This thing is going to be great for indies. Access to more games and oftentimes sooner- which considering how long it takes for console ports to happen (especially with how delay-happy the industry is) is going to be a major plus. Steam sales are also way, way better than anything the Eshop has ever offered. Not to mention that Valve has an actual refund policy so nobody will get burned as much.

Also...it's hard not to give these guys respect for the way they're handling pre orders. They're clearly aware of how Nintendo has never done anything to prevent scalpers/resellers and seem to be taking steps to avoid that with the reservation system.

@Ghost_of_Hasashi What?

Of course they're still covered by warranty for hardware defects. If I buy a laptop, where I can install anything, they still have to replace the battery if it leaks or the cpu of it fries itself. They have to prove that it was my fault if they want to avoid it.

As for the Nintendo Drift, switch is the only console i ever owned that had this problem, and every single joycon I have exhibited it. On the other hand, I positively tortured my Vita's sticks during exceedingly long sessions of Freedom Wars and other games and they still work perfectly.

Cya
Raziel-chan

@Thatsalie I think the best thing you could do for yourself at this point is ask yourself why you think this is a good way to spend your time, realize that it’s not, and then seek out a better way to spend your time. Which will inevitably lead you to someplace that is not here. So, goodbye to future you. Best of luck wherever you end up (probably back at PushSquare or something)!

Still find it really weird how different people's experiences are with drift.

Personally I've been gaming for over 20 years, including 4 years of Switch as my main console, and I've never experienced drift of any kind. Honestly isn't even a factor when I decide to buy a product.

@Ghost_of_Hasashi So because Valve made the system open source, are you suggesting that means they won’t offer repair services for the hardware?

@Buizel Why is it weird? Stuff breaks.

@Rainz Completely agree with you on all counts. Nintendo has complaints and lawsuits about stick drift, and instead they release a console with an improved screen. Makes them look blind to their customers, and uncaring of this common issue.

@BloodNinja Weird that some people seem to have 12 Joycon break within a year and some have never experienced it in their life!

Not denying that joy-con drift is a thing, but many people make it seem like you're guaranteed to have it in a matter of months...

@Buizel It seems to be a common fault in the hardware. Mine, unfortunately, only lasted about 6 months of frequent use, playing around 1-2 hours/day on games that required the stick, such as Skyrim and Dark Souls. I replaced the joycon and to be honest, I've been very turned off from even using my Switch in handheld mode as a result, so I just use the pro controller if I want to use it, these days.

I built a raft out of analogue sticks and it drifts perfectly.

One thing I don't really understand...is that I don't remember drift ever being an issue (at least not for me) before this generation. It feels like analog stick technology has gone backwards or something....

@BAN

Yikes. You are extremely angry about this article.

@Thatsalie Do any other handheld consoles even have a real joystick?

FWIW I've had drift on two Xbox 360 controllers.

@Dizzard Sadly everyone started buying the same 3d joystick modules from Alps.

We can go out and buy these assemblies for roughly $2 a pop without even going into particularly crazy quantities. That about sums up how build down to a price these things are.

As far as the wildly erratic durability goes, I'm of the mind that it's more vigorous titles that make use of the stick click that do the damage. The internals of these sticks are flimsy plastic with very little resistance to flexing. Clicking the stick down whilst also moving it seems to carry a greatly increased risk of scaring the carbon contacts inside it, doubly so on the low profile variant used in the switch.