Quebec Law Firm Files Class Action Lawsuit Over Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Drift

Four years after the launch of the Nintendo Switch, players continue to experience the persistent issue known as "Joy-Con drift." This technical problem, which causes analog sticks on Nintendo's controllers to register movement without any physical input from the user, has led to widespread frustration among Switch owners.

Despite previous legal action and public complaints, Joy-Con drift remains an ongoing challenge for Nintendo, especially as the console continues its market dominance and expanding hardware iterations. On January 15, 2021, Lambert Avocat Inc., a prominent law firm based in Quebec, Canada, filed a class action lawsuit application targeting Nintendo.

The suit alleges that the drifting of Switch analog sticks is a "hidden defect" in the Nintendo Switch systems and controllers, including the Switch Lite, Joy-Con, and Pro Controller.

According to the application, this defect violates several provisions of the Quebec Consumer Protection Act, and the firm is seeking financial restitution for affected consumers in the province. In its official statement regarding the lawsuit, Lambert Avocat Inc.

noted: "The legal application aims to secure compensation for all Quebec consumers who have purchased Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite gaming systems, as well as Joy-Con and Nintendo Switch Pro controllers." To encourage participation, the firm has provided a form on its website where Quebec-based Switch owners can submit details about their specific Joy-Con drift experiences. This class action in Quebec is the latest in a series of legal disputes Nintendo has faced regarding Joy-Con drift.

Throughout 2020, the company dealt with several lawsuits worldwide over this issue.

In response to continued public interest, Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America, addressed the matter in recent comments.

He indicated that the company is "constantly reviewing the feedback and products that come in for repair, with the goal to better understand the underlying causes and implement meaningful improvements." Bowser's remarks reinforce Nintendo's public commitment to monitoring, repairing, and ultimately improving its controller hardware. The Nintendo Switch, initially released in March 2017, has seen tremendous success, selling over 68 million units worldwide by the end of 2020.

However, the persistent Joy-Con drift controversy underscores ongoing challenges in hardware quality that can affect consumer satisfaction and brand reputation. Affected users in Quebec are now awaiting judicial authorization for the class action proceedings, which, if approved, could have significant implications for Nintendo and its future hardware policies.

In the meantime, Switch owners are encouraged to document their experiences and pursue available avenues for repair or compensation as this case continues to develop.

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