@Oish The pads definitely do get worn down -and visibly so with the imprint of the prong path evident from the start of use- but I've never personally seen a case where the standard wear from use was significant enough to completely ruin normal function beyond repair. I can definitely see it happening as a result of certain debris sitting between the mating surface of the prongs and pads, though.
I'm curious if you'd be willing to share: Having taken apart the sticks, were the pads worn down to the board? Have you had successes with internal cleaning, or is the solution not one you often take? My first 'hopeless case' where contact cleaner didn't work any longer was the one I took apart and cleaned to exceptionally long-lasting results despite visible wear.
I definitely agree that these things weren't built to be taken apart, and the reality is that the base plate component can only realistically manage 2 or maybe 3 disassemblies before the clamps are no longer reliable if they haven't snapped off outright. I also recognize that that kind of repair isn't convenient or easy/on the table for most people. The replacement sticks are a great option for long term resolution and it's good to have a handful sealed and set aside just in case if you're the handy sort. You're right that they're likely the best solution on offer. The most definitive for sure.
I'm just hoping that this pressure workaround doesn't end up necessitating full stick replacement faster than would otherwise be necessary.
I'm not a couch anything. I've done my fair share of repair and replacement. My current sticks don't drift and have not done since disassembly and a thorough internal cleaning of the flex circuit boards and proper storage away from dirt and debris. My own experience with regard to the particularity of the solution on offer has been illustrated, and is -alongside the various snags in the provided explanation and justifications- why I put forward my skepticism and word of caution.
Do what you want with your sticks. If this ends up resulting in a short lived resolution and long term detriment, that's your problem. For my part, a dismissal of broader causes of drift, an explanation that's defied by the simplest of examples, and a result backed up by a meager period of time that doesn't even match the resolution period seen by some who just spray some contact cleaner are enough for me to openly push back against the sentiment that this is a solution that should be propagated, let alone one that can be presented as permanent or definitive.
P.S.: By the way? Cases of drift occurring out of the box have been reported here and there over the years. There's no reason to get so defensive about someone bringing up that it's happened to them, especially when they aren't even putting forth a denial or decrying the alleged solution. It's just that drifting out the box also ends up inherently running counter to the explanation provided in the video about the cause. Unfortunate, ehh?
@JaxonH The evidence is not convincing for that reason, no. Disassembly of the module in general is done for the purpose of resolving drift, and having done so for that purpose does not indicate anything at all, especially without a clear indication of the particulars of the drift and input behavior both before and after. This is valuable because there are various behaviors that are symptomatic of different issues. He says he's opened his Joy-cons thousands of times and the possibility of long term damage due to repeated disassembly of the module is far more likely the reality when considering the nature of the base plate. The reduction of a multi-cause problem to a singular supposed root that's not been tested sufficiently or even conceived of in a manner that eliminates or recognizes the other factors involved isn't sound or reliable. The fact that instances of fresh Joy-cons drifting exist alone call the explanation provided into question.
There's also the fact that the base plate does not get looser with usage. It has FIVE anchors of which two are low-tolerance clips and one is an EXTREMELY rigid clamp that results in difficulty even during deliberate disassembly to the extent that it's typically left as is in favor of careful pivoting of the base plate after adjusting the other four anchors.
Without causing damage to the base plate, forks, or pads, you'll generally see standard function restored without the need for the application of pressure once an internal cleaning is done. Continued undesirable behavior is indicative of one of the aforementioned things being damaged. This additional measure is an indication of at least subtle damage to the base plate, which can easily result in enough displacement to disturb inputs or the default position across one or both axis'. Additionally, the seemingly OEM stick of the three he shows off -which is the one installed in the tutorial- looks to have all three clamps broken off.
It's also worth noting that the application of additional pressure may simply be incidentally dispersing debris on the pad. IF there's an effect of note -considering the assembly is effectively flush to begin with assuming no damage has been done during maintenance or use- then it's possible that whatever debris are caught on the forked metal contacts in the future will be more likely to scrape against the pad and cause sudden damage akin to hard particulates against a glass screen or increase the rate of surface wear over time, which would potentially happen even without debris due to added force. This is a possibility that is in contrast to the suggestion that the increased force will cause the prongs to brush the dirt away.
All of this is also leaving aside the potential of damage to the Joy-con external to the module as a result of introducing a relatively thick foreign object to a flush assembly. Keep in mind that you're going to be introducing a load on multiple parts, not the least of which is the battery, which is a tremendously careless thing to do.
This honestly seems like it could end up being the next placebo phenomenon to join the ranks of Switch's bending from heat and allegations of docks inherently scratching Switches.
@Oish The application of contact cleaner displaces dust and debris but does not remove it from the enclosure. If your setting and usage means that drift is an oft reoccurring issue for you after application, then you may eventually find that simply spraying becomes less effective as the build up continues.
If it gets to that point, careful disassembly of the analog stick module and removal of dust/debris will likely renew your stick's function and will almost certainly provide a longevity that's comparable to the initial period where drift did not occur. This is assuming that no damage is caused in the disassembly/reassembly process, of course.
The solution provided isn't clearly to that of drift as presented but instead a solution to deformation or damage of the base plate which typically occurs during disassembly/reassembly. The base plate does not get loose during normal use and is in fact effectively pressed flush against a portion of plastic shell upon reassembly of the entire Joy-con. When taking the stick apart, however, the three clamps that hold the plate to the analog module are permanently weakened due to the thinness of each one. You won't get the same clamping upon reassembly and future disassembles will eventually result in the two smaller ones breaking due to repeated bending and brittlity. Despite this, as long as the actual base isn't deformed, the larger clamp and one of the smaller ones are still present, and the side clips aren't warped, you're unlikely to suffer any consequences or adverse effects after reassembly, both by way of the Joy-con casing reinforcement and the flush enclosure of the module itself.
If the base plate were indeed loose as implied by the video in such a way that'd affect function, you would not get inputs when moving the analog stick or would find very constrained response along a given axis, as the forks that contact the conductive pads to read input are linear in motion upon two small tracks. If applying pressure results in the drift disappearing as seen here after you've been taking the module apart, it's likely you've bent the plate in removal or broke off the clamps, which is something that I have done on one occasion with the application of pressure returning a semblance of normal function.
Additionally, the methods employed to determine the root cause and the alleged solution's validity are non-rigorous, and two months of maintained function do not indicate that anything has been notably resolved beside the potential damage to the base plate being functionally negated for a time. A proper internal cleaning of the module provides many months of standard function if done properly due to debris not just being displaced from the forks and pads, but removed from the enclosure altogether.
Be wary.
Update: The dude did a disassembly of his Joy-con. All three clamps were broken off. His case/example in particular is not one of loosening over time as he attempts to explain, but in fact a result of user damage.
@Luminous117 I'll definitely be looking into grabbing a copy of that version for myself if it doesn't come to Switch. Seems like it's just about the right time to look into collecting 3DS games as well.
@Luminous117 That's a lot of play-throughs! The iOS and 3DS versions are actually remakes of the Dreamcast release with minigames and a particular area missing. Rayman Revolution on the PS2 added a ton of new stuff I hear, but I haven't played it and it isn't the basis for any of the re-releases over the years. What's been your favorite version?
@OorWullie I think that actually might be the definitive version of The Great Escape set of releases overall, so that's definitely one of the best ways to have experienced it! I personally played it on PC. Revolution on PS2 and the PS1 version of The Great Escape had full voice acting, but I prefer the gibberish language used in the other versions.
@Tibob You get 40 of the 66 levels from Origins in Legends, so that's actually a little over a third missing as opposed to around half. The levels included in Legends have been selected as the "best of" the game. They have been tweaked visually with redrawn assets and are fitted into the new lighting system. Mechanical and layout adjustments are also present, and, despite the method of unlocking the levels, there's a set play order. Coupled together, these things make what you've been told regarding the levels being thrown in randomly seem fairly odd.
@StephenYap3 I get what you mean. It's bittersweet that he left and, while I DID enjoy the Rayman 3 despite his absence, the games aren't quite the same without him. A true continuation of Rayman 2 may not ever come about.
I hope he enjoys what he's doing now and that he manages to accomplish the good he wants to.
Looking at the images, I wonder if this might be an art/history book? Maybe they'll work with Pix'n'Love to put out an international release of their History of Rayman book, which would be nice.
@westman98 Again, not something I can find any evidence of. The only mention I've managed to pull up past the May shipments was a first party My Nintendo lotto from June 9th. There's no mention of how many units were up for grabs and, in fact, the announcement mentions continued production shortages across all Switches, encouraging those who want a regular console to enter. Most results show that regular Switches in general are being put up in lottos by other places as well.
Update: I'm finding a few lottos here and there through blogs that do include the bundle, but there's not much around to indicate breadth of opportunity and nothing to indicate volume so far as I can see.
@westman98 There's no clear data on that as far as I know, nor has there been a degree of stock for the Switch wholesale, let alone the limited edition, to reasonably say that it accounts for a sizable portion of the total. The last record I've found for availability of the Japanese bundle is also late May.
@KryptoniteKrunch With regards to becoming the best selling game of all time in Japan, the notable dip in pace actually indicates that New Horizons might not track well enough to manage the approximately 2.5+ million units it needs to manage that particular milestone.
I'm still wondering why you guys didn't report the latest Japanese charts.
Ring Fit did great at second place with 53,594 units sold. Crystal Chronicles on the Switch managed 48,957 units in its premiere week to take third. New Horizons sold 34,401 units to take fourth. Captain Tsubasa and Jump Force Deluxe premiered to take sixth and seventh respectively with Clubhouse Games closing out at number 10 to round things off. Nintendo dominates the charts besides with 16 out of the next 20 spots being Switch games.
PPT has a decently meaty campaign that's quite fun and replayable thanks to its format if you're looking to 3-Star everything. The sequel having another one of these is reason alone to make the suggestion that they should just pump everything into DLC seem unreasonable, let alone premature.
The first game's modes were really enjoyable to me and the variety they bring easily overshadows Tetris 99 as a package when you pick up the single-player DLC. PPT also isn't plagued with the occasional eaten inputs and lag spikes that come up in Tetris 99 in my experience. If the Adventure for the new game is of a similar length to the first one and there are even modes to play around with to top it off, then count me in for sure.
@OctoAori20 You can turn off the player posts in the options if you like. That might help make things feel a bit less stressful assuming the player-vs-player nature of the online isn't a major part of the issue.
If you're gonna run this flex, why not mention that the original Super Mario Brothers alone has outsold the entirety of the AC franchise and in fact, prior to New Horizons, was among at least 10 games to do so?
There are also other franchises that would frame an even sharper contrast for the same point being presented. For example: New Horizons sold twice as much as the entire Star Fox franchise, is on the way to pulling quadruple the numbers of F-Zero, and single-handedly accounts for a little over a third of the entirety of its own series' sales.
The current world circumstances, the concept and tone, meme/cultural proliferation, mainstream media coverage, post-release updates to maintain its presence, and a relatively barren surrounding release environment to boot. The game really has managed to ride the closest thing to a perfect storm that it possibly could have.
Looking at the Famitsu article, the source of the figure is a press quote from Yumi Katsura International Co., Ltd, a formal wear and wedding dress company. This is not a reliable or informed source and there's no indication that the company has any affiliation or partnership with Nintendo, only that they're providing some free designs/patterns during June.
Not that it's expected considering the source, but the line in question also doesn't explicitly mention the e-shop or make a distinction regarding download cards or otherwise.
I hope you guys and GoNintendo did your due diligence.
Comments 21
Re: Someone Thinks They've Resolved Nintendo's Joy-Con Drift Problem With An Incredibly Simple Fix
@Oish The pads definitely do get worn down -and visibly so with the imprint of the prong path evident from the start of use- but I've never personally seen a case where the standard wear from use was significant enough to completely ruin normal function beyond repair. I can definitely see it happening as a result of certain debris sitting between the mating surface of the prongs and pads, though.
I'm curious if you'd be willing to share: Having taken apart the sticks, were the pads worn down to the board? Have you had successes with internal cleaning, or is the solution not one you often take? My first 'hopeless case' where contact cleaner didn't work any longer was the one I took apart and cleaned to exceptionally long-lasting results despite visible wear.
I definitely agree that these things weren't built to be taken apart, and the reality is that the base plate component can only realistically manage 2 or maybe 3 disassemblies before the clamps are no longer reliable if they haven't snapped off outright. I also recognize that that kind of repair isn't convenient or easy/on the table for most people. The replacement sticks are a great option for long term resolution and it's good to have a handful sealed and set aside just in case if you're the handy sort. You're right that they're likely the best solution on offer. The most definitive for sure.
I'm just hoping that this pressure workaround doesn't end up necessitating full stick replacement faster than would otherwise be necessary.
Re: Someone Thinks They've Resolved Nintendo's Joy-Con Drift Problem With An Incredibly Simple Fix
@SwitchForce
I'm not a couch anything. I've done my fair share of repair and replacement. My current sticks don't drift and have not done since disassembly and a thorough internal cleaning of the flex circuit boards and proper storage away from dirt and debris. My own experience with regard to the particularity of the solution on offer has been illustrated, and is -alongside the various snags in the provided explanation and justifications- why I put forward my skepticism and word of caution.
Do what you want with your sticks. If this ends up resulting in a short lived resolution and long term detriment, that's your problem. For my part, a dismissal of broader causes of drift, an explanation that's defied by the simplest of examples, and a result backed up by a meager period of time that doesn't even match the resolution period seen by some who just spray some contact cleaner are enough for me to openly push back against the sentiment that this is a solution that should be propagated, let alone one that can be presented as permanent or definitive.
P.S.: By the way? Cases of drift occurring out of the box have been reported here and there over the years. There's no reason to get so defensive about someone bringing up that it's happened to them, especially when they aren't even putting forth a denial or decrying the alleged solution. It's just that drifting out the box also ends up inherently running counter to the explanation provided in the video about the cause. Unfortunate, ehh?
Re: Someone Thinks They've Resolved Nintendo's Joy-Con Drift Problem With An Incredibly Simple Fix
@JaxonH The evidence is not convincing for that reason, no. Disassembly of the module in general is done for the purpose of resolving drift, and having done so for that purpose does not indicate anything at all, especially without a clear indication of the particulars of the drift and input behavior both before and after. This is valuable because there are various behaviors that are symptomatic of different issues. He says he's opened his Joy-cons thousands of times and the possibility of long term damage due to repeated disassembly of the module is far more likely the reality when considering the nature of the base plate. The reduction of a multi-cause problem to a singular supposed root that's not been tested sufficiently or even conceived of in a manner that eliminates or recognizes the other factors involved isn't sound or reliable. The fact that instances of fresh Joy-cons drifting exist alone call the explanation provided into question.
There's also the fact that the base plate does not get looser with usage. It has FIVE anchors of which two are low-tolerance clips and one is an EXTREMELY rigid clamp that results in difficulty even during deliberate disassembly to the extent that it's typically left as is in favor of careful pivoting of the base plate after adjusting the other four anchors.
Without causing damage to the base plate, forks, or pads, you'll generally see standard function restored without the need for the application of pressure once an internal cleaning is done. Continued undesirable behavior is indicative of one of the aforementioned things being damaged. This additional measure is an indication of at least subtle damage to the base plate, which can easily result in enough displacement to disturb inputs or the default position across one or both axis'. Additionally, the seemingly OEM stick of the three he shows off -which is the one installed in the tutorial- looks to have all three clamps broken off.
It's also worth noting that the application of additional pressure may simply be incidentally dispersing debris on the pad. IF there's an effect of note -considering the assembly is effectively flush to begin with assuming no damage has been done during maintenance or use- then it's possible that whatever debris are caught on the forked metal contacts in the future will be more likely to scrape against the pad and cause sudden damage akin to hard particulates against a glass screen or increase the rate of surface wear over time, which would potentially happen even without debris due to added force. This is a possibility that is in contrast to the suggestion that the increased force will cause the prongs to brush the dirt away.
All of this is also leaving aside the potential of damage to the Joy-con external to the module as a result of introducing a relatively thick foreign object to a flush assembly. Keep in mind that you're going to be introducing a load on multiple parts, not the least of which is the battery, which is a tremendously careless thing to do.
This honestly seems like it could end up being the next placebo phenomenon to join the ranks of Switch's bending from heat and allegations of docks inherently scratching Switches.
Re: Someone Thinks They've Resolved Nintendo's Joy-Con Drift Problem With An Incredibly Simple Fix
@Oish The application of contact cleaner displaces dust and debris but does not remove it from the enclosure. If your setting and usage means that drift is an oft reoccurring issue for you after application, then you may eventually find that simply spraying becomes less effective as the build up continues.
If it gets to that point, careful disassembly of the analog stick module and removal of dust/debris will likely renew your stick's function and will almost certainly provide a longevity that's comparable to the initial period where drift did not occur. This is assuming that no damage is caused in the disassembly/reassembly process, of course.
Re: Someone Thinks They've Resolved Nintendo's Joy-Con Drift Problem With An Incredibly Simple Fix
The solution provided isn't clearly to that of drift as presented but instead a solution to deformation or damage of the base plate which typically occurs during disassembly/reassembly. The base plate does not get loose during normal use and is in fact effectively pressed flush against a portion of plastic shell upon reassembly of the entire Joy-con. When taking the stick apart, however, the three clamps that hold the plate to the analog module are permanently weakened due to the thinness of each one. You won't get the same clamping upon reassembly and future disassembles will eventually result in the two smaller ones breaking due to repeated bending and brittlity. Despite this, as long as the actual base isn't deformed, the larger clamp and one of the smaller ones are still present, and the side clips aren't warped, you're unlikely to suffer any consequences or adverse effects after reassembly, both by way of the Joy-con casing reinforcement and the flush enclosure of the module itself.
If the base plate were indeed loose as implied by the video in such a way that'd affect function, you would not get inputs when moving the analog stick or would find very constrained response along a given axis, as the forks that contact the conductive pads to read input are linear in motion upon two small tracks. If applying pressure results in the drift disappearing as seen here after you've been taking the module apart, it's likely you've bent the plate in removal or broke off the clamps, which is something that I have done on one occasion with the application of pressure returning a semblance of normal function.
Additionally, the methods employed to determine the root cause and the alleged solution's validity are non-rigorous, and two months of maintained function do not indicate that anything has been notably resolved beside the potential damage to the base plate being functionally negated for a time. A proper internal cleaning of the module provides many months of standard function if done properly due to debris not just being displaced from the forks and pads, but removed from the enclosure altogether.
Be wary.
Update: The dude did a disassembly of his Joy-con. All three clamps were broken off. His case/example in particular is not one of loosening over time as he attempts to explain, but in fact a result of user damage.
Re: Ubisoft Appears To Tease Rayman Project, Deletes Post After Fans Get Too Hyped
@Luminous117 I'll definitely be looking into grabbing a copy of that version for myself if it doesn't come to Switch. Seems like it's just about the right time to look into collecting 3DS games as well.
Re: Ubisoft Appears To Tease Rayman Project, Deletes Post After Fans Get Too Hyped
@Luminous117 That's a lot of play-throughs! The iOS and 3DS versions are actually remakes of the Dreamcast release with minigames and a particular area missing. Rayman Revolution on the PS2 added a ton of new stuff I hear, but I haven't played it and it isn't the basis for any of the re-releases over the years. What's been your favorite version?
Re: Ubisoft Appears To Tease Rayman Project, Deletes Post After Fans Get Too Hyped
@OorWullie I think that actually might be the definitive version of The Great Escape set of releases overall, so that's definitely one of the best ways to have experienced it! I personally played it on PC. Revolution on PS2 and the PS1 version of The Great Escape had full voice acting, but I prefer the gibberish language used in the other versions.
Re: Ubisoft Appears To Tease Rayman Project, Deletes Post After Fans Get Too Hyped
@Tibob You get 40 of the 66 levels from Origins in Legends, so that's actually a little over a third missing as opposed to around half. The levels included in Legends have been selected as the "best of" the game. They have been tweaked visually with redrawn assets and are fitted into the new lighting system. Mechanical and layout adjustments are also present, and, despite the method of unlocking the levels, there's a set play order. Coupled together, these things make what you've been told regarding the levels being thrown in randomly seem fairly odd.
Re: Ubisoft Appears To Be Teasing A Rayman Project
@Cia @OorWullie Good to see some mutual interest in Rayman 2. A proper remaster with new assets, clean would be quite nice for sure!
Which version(s) did you guys play? There are a lot of differences across the releases.
Re: Ubisoft Appears To Be Teasing A Rayman Project
@StephenYap3 I get what you mean. It's bittersweet that he left and, while I DID enjoy the Rayman 3 despite his absence, the games aren't quite the same without him. A true continuation of Rayman 2 may not ever come about.
I hope he enjoys what he's doing now and that he manages to accomplish the good he wants to.
Looking at the images, I wonder if this might be an art/history book? Maybe they'll work with Pix'n'Love to put out an international release of their History of Rayman book, which would be nice.
Re: Japanese Charts: Ring Fit Adventure Beats Marvel's Avengers To Number One
@westman98 Again, not something I can find any evidence of. The only mention I've managed to pull up past the May shipments was a first party My Nintendo lotto from June 9th. There's no mention of how many units were up for grabs and, in fact, the announcement mentions continued production shortages across all Switches, encouraging those who want a regular console to enter. Most results show that regular Switches in general are being put up in lottos by other places as well.
Update: I'm finding a few lottos here and there through blogs that do include the bundle, but there's not much around to indicate breadth of opportunity and nothing to indicate volume so far as I can see.
Re: Japanese Charts: Ring Fit Adventure Beats Marvel's Avengers To Number One
@westman98 There's no clear data on that as far as I know, nor has there been a degree of stock for the Switch wholesale, let alone the limited edition, to reasonably say that it accounts for a sizable portion of the total. The last record I've found for availability of the Japanese bundle is also late May.
Re: Japanese Charts: Ring Fit Adventure Beats Marvel's Avengers To Number One
@KryptoniteKrunch With regards to becoming the best selling game of all time in Japan, the notable dip in pace actually indicates that New Horizons might not track well enough to manage the approximately 2.5+ million units it needs to manage that particular milestone.
Re: UK Charts: Several New Releases Push Animal Crossing: New Horizons Down To Fourth Place
I'm still wondering why you guys didn't report the latest Japanese charts.
Ring Fit did great at second place with 53,594 units sold. Crystal Chronicles on the Switch managed 48,957 units in its premiere week to take third. New Horizons sold 34,401 units to take fourth. Captain Tsubasa and Jump Force Deluxe premiered to take sixth and seventh respectively with Clubhouse Games closing out at number 10 to round things off. Nintendo dominates the charts besides with 16 out of the next 20 spots being Switch games.
Re: Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Will Feature All-New Co-Op Boss Raids
PPT has a decently meaty campaign that's quite fun and replayable thanks to its format if you're looking to 3-Star everything. The sequel having another one of these is reason alone to make the suggestion that they should just pump everything into DLC seem unreasonable, let alone premature.
The first game's modes were really enjoyable to me and the variety they bring easily overshadows Tetris 99 as a package when you pick up the single-player DLC. PPT also isn't plagued with the occasional eaten inputs and lag spikes that come up in Tetris 99 in my experience. If the Adventure for the new game is of a similar length to the first one and there are even modes to play around with to top it off, then count me in for sure.
Re: Team Chicken Rules The Roost In Splatoon 2's Splatfest
@OctoAori20 You can turn off the player posts in the options if you like. That might help make things feel a bit less stressful assuming the player-vs-player nature of the online isn't a major part of the issue.
Re: Animal Crossing: New Horizons Has Sold More Copies Than The Entire Metroid Franchise
@westman98 The point was to say that those series are subsets of the Mario franchise while your list frames them as their own individual franchises.
Re: Animal Crossing: New Horizons Has Sold More Copies Than The Entire Metroid Franchise
@westman98 A bit weird that you're listing those Mario sub-series as their own franchises.
Re: Animal Crossing: New Horizons Has Sold More Copies Than The Entire Metroid Franchise
If you're gonna run this flex, why not mention that the original Super Mario Brothers alone has outsold the entirety of the AC franchise and in fact, prior to New Horizons, was among at least 10 games to do so?
There are also other franchises that would frame an even sharper contrast for the same point being presented. For example: New Horizons sold twice as much as the entire Star Fox franchise, is on the way to pulling quadruple the numbers of F-Zero, and single-handedly accounts for a little over a third of the entirety of its own series' sales.
The current world circumstances, the concept and tone, meme/cultural proliferation, mainstream media coverage, post-release updates to maintain its presence, and a relatively barren surrounding release environment to boot. The game really has managed to ride the closest thing to a perfect storm that it possibly could have.
Re: Animal Crossing: New Horizons Has Reportedly Been Downloaded More Than 10 Million Times
Looking at the Famitsu article, the source of the figure is a press quote from Yumi Katsura International Co., Ltd, a formal wear and wedding dress company. This is not a reliable or informed source and there's no indication that the company has any affiliation or partnership with Nintendo, only that they're providing some free designs/patterns during June.
Not that it's expected considering the source, but the line in question also doesn't explicitly mention the e-shop or make a distinction regarding download cards or otherwise.
I hope you guys and GoNintendo did your due diligence.