Joy-Con drift was a frustrating problem for countless Switch users—and a financial nightmare for Nintendo itself, which faced several lawsuits and had to cover free repairs. With the Switch 2 on the horizon, fans were hoping the company would finally put the issue to rest with a fresh controller design.
However, Nintendo shared some bittersweet news today. The iconic Japanese brand confirmed that the new Joy-Con won’t include Hall effect sensors, a feature many thought could solve the drift matter once and for all.
Joy-Con Drift: Can the Switch 2 Solve it Without Hall Effect?
For those unfamiliar, drift typically happens when the joystick’s internal components wear down over time, especially the mechanical sensors that detect movement. Once they start to fail, your character might start moving in-game even if you’re not touching the stick.
Hall effect sensors, which detect motion magnetically, avoid this problem entirely, eliminating contact between moving parts.
But even without this much-requested technology, Nintendo maintains that the new design is a step forward. Speaking to Nintendo Life, Nate Bihldorff, senior vice president of product development and publishing at Nintendo of America, suggested fans will notice a difference.
“Well, the Joy-Con 2 controllers have been designed from the ground up. They’re not Hall Effect sticks, but they feel really good.”
New Console, Same Concerns
While it’s true that the new Joy-Con won’t use Hall effect sensors, Nintendo says they’ve made other refinements to increase durability and comfort. The company has not shared specific technical details, but insists the controllers were redesigned with longevity in mind, so there’s hope they’ve solved the issue in other ways.
Still, some players worry the infamous drift could come creeping back again.