Nuked Hey everyone, Nuked here! I’m excited to share with you an exciting update about the Switch’s Joy-Con drift problem. For years, we’ve been dealing with this issue and no satisfactory answer from Nintendo. However, it looks like we may have a solution!
A company called Gulikit created a set of Switch joystick replacements that promise to help banish stick drift once and for all (via Gizmodo). If you’re a Switch owner, then you might already be familiar with Joy-Con drift, which causes false inputs even when you’re not touching the thumbsticks.
It’s been a problem ever since the Switch came out, and it still hasn’t been fully fixed in the new OLED model (although Nintendo says it’s made some “improvements”). While you can send your Joy-Cons away for a free repair at Nintendo (or just buy a new set), the sticks will inevitably start drifting again.
Let’s take a closer look at these drift-free joystick replacements. Unlike your standard Joy-Cons from Nintendo, Gulikit’s joystick replacements use something called Hall effect sensors. This technology uses magnets to detect the joystick’s movement, meaning none of the components actually rub up against each other and wear out like the sensors used on Joy-Cons do.
The reason Joy-Cons drift in the first place is because they use potentiometers. This technology deteriorates over time, resulting in incorrect readings that make your controller seem like it’s possessed. That’s where Gulikit’s joysticks come in.
The sticks are available for $29.70 on Amazon and should put an end to frequent Joy-Con replacements and repair orders. You’ll have to install the replacement joysticks yourself, but there are videos online to help point you in the right direction when it comes to dismantling the Joy-Cons. Gulikit’s joysticks also come with a screwdriver, replacement screws, a tweezer, and a plastic pry tool.
Users on Amazon have left mostly positive reviews for these joysticks. However, there are some saying they leave a small gap between the ring that’s supposed to prevent dust and other debris from getting inside the Switch. It’s unclear how or if this will affect the sticks (or the Joy-Cons themselves).
Keep in mind that adding the third-party sticks could void the warranty on your Switch and Joy-Cons. But if you’re fed up with stick drift, this could be a potential solution for you.
It’s just sad that — in 2021 — we have to go through all this just to get things to work properly when the technology’s already there, and has been there for decades.
