Nintendo Switch 2 Already Has Annoying Drift – Are New Magnetic Joysticks the Solution?

Nintendo fans were hoping that the Nintendo Switch 2 would fix one of the most annoying things about the original Switch: the Joy-Con drift issue. Unfortunately, even though the Switch 2 hasn’t been out for two weeks yet, there are reports of systems experiencing drift. However, there might be a possible solution in the form of magnetic joysticks.

Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Drift

According to The Gamer, the first confirmed case of Switch 2 drift came from a Reddit user named “NearlyCrossing,” who posted a video that showed “a faulty left Joy-Con that has some combination of stick drift and being dead.” Since then, other cases of drift have been reported, and one player tore the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons apart and found that the hardware was basically the same as the Switch 1’s Joy-Cons. So yes, your Mario Kart World race could be fouled up not by a Koopa shell, but by the sticks drifting.

So What’s the Solution?

Third-party manufacturers are reportedly working on magnetic analogue sticks that could combat the drift. Specifically, a manufacturer known as GuliKit claims to be working on “patented drift-free magnetic joystick technology.” However, since the Joy-Cons on the Nintendo Switch 2 attach to the system with their own magnets, magnetic joysticks might not be easy to implement.

But What is Nintendo Doing?

The Switch 2 faced a load of controversy pre-launch for its high price. If the system is being launched with faulty controllers, you would think that Nintendo would want to fix the issue as soon as possible, but as of right now, there have been no reports of them taking any action to fix the drift. As the issue becomes more well-known, they might seek out a solution in the future, or they might simply offer repairs and replacements for drifting controllers, like they did for the Switch 1.

Conclusion

When my Switch 1’s left Joy-Con started drifting horribly, I was able to send it to Nintendo, and they replaced it for free. I haven’t yet been able to order a Nintendo Switch 2, but if the long wait results in drifting Joy-Cons out of the box, I will be very disappointed. The best thing Nintendo can do right now is issue an apology and work to fix the issue. If they don’t, the Switch 2 might not be experiencing rapid sales for long.