Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Teardown Raises Joy-Con Drift Concerns Among Fans

Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Teardown Raises Joy-Con Drift Concerns Among Fans As excitement builds for the recently unveiled Nintendo Switch 2, hardware enthusiasts and passionate fans are closely examining every detail of the next-generation hybrid console.

Released as the successor to Nintendo’s record-breaking handheld-home console hybrid, the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to deliver significant advancements both in hardware performance and user experience.

However, a recent teardown by repair experts iFixit has highlighted a familiar issue that has dogged the platform since its original debut: potential Joy-Con drift. Nearly seven years after the launch of the first Nintendo Switch, Joy-Con drift—a phenomenon where joystick inputs register without user interaction—remains a common complaint among users.

iFixit’s preliminary teardown of the Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Con controllers revealed that their joystick mechanisms remain “near identical to the Switch 1 in how they’ve been built.” This discovery has reignited concern among the Nintendo community, many of whom experienced controller drift first-hand throughout the original Switch lifecycle. The prevalence of Joy-Con drift has led to widespread frustration and has resulted in numerous legal actions against Nintendo internationally.

Journalists at Nintendo Life shared that even their own team members had to replace multiple Joy-Con controllers due to the ongoing drift problem.

This widespread occurrence underscores just how significant the issue has become for the Switch user base over the years. With the Switch 2 only just entering the marketplace, it is too early to determine conclusively whether the new generation’s controllers will continue to exhibit similar wear.

Still, the familiarity in construction between the original and the new Joy-Cons has prompted immediate reactions from both fans and the hardware repair community.

In a statement, GuliKit, a specialist in hall effect and TMR joystick technology, confirmed that it is already developing replacement analog sticks for the Nintendo Switch 2.

This proactive step reflects the company's recognition of both the ongoing consumer demand for improved controller durability and the popularity of Nintendo's latest console iteration. As the Nintendo Switch 2 establishes its place in the market, both fans and hardware analysts will be monitoring Joy-Con performance closely.

Nintendo has not yet provided detailed commentary on any improvements made to address drift, keeping fans and industry observers on watch for further updates.

Given the Switch’s history and continued strong performance in global sales—well over 125 million units sold for the original system—addressing controller longevity will be vital for Nintendo’s continued success in this hardware cycle. For now, the question of Joy-Con drift remains at the forefront as the new hardware rolls out.

The vibrant Nintendo community can expect further coverage from outlets as the long-term durability of the Switch 2’s controllers becomes clearer over time.

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