The Nintendo Switch has managed to remain a popular console since its debut, in large part things to games like Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate helping drive sales. However, the console has had its fair share of problems, primarily Joy-Con drift, an issue that has plagued the Switch since shortly after launch.
The issue causes the Switch's thumbstick to drift, moving players around without putting pressure on it. Joy-Con drift resulted in a class-action lawsuit, which Nintendo is still embroiled in. However, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has now made an apology regarding the issue, stating, "Regarding the Joy-Con, we apologize to any trouble caused to our customers."
Furukawa said that Nintendo would continue to improve its products, but did not describe any specific steps being taken due to the nature of the lawsuit. Previously, Nintendo requested for the Joy-Con drift lawsuit to be dismissed, but the request denied. This seems to be the first apology Nintendo has made in regards to the issue, though the company acknowledged reports of Joy-Con drift in the past.
The issue has been fairly common among Switch owners, with even the newer Switch Lite reportedly experiencing Joy-Con drift occasionally. This has, of course, led to frustration among fans, and rightfully so, but it's good to see Nintendo acknowledge the issue, and better yet, apologize for it. Lawsuits can take months – and even years – to settle, so it may take quite some time before Nintendo reveals specific steps it's taking to combat the problem.
However, Nintendo's lawsuit has to go through arbitration, which can be a faster process, so there may be a speedier resolution than some assume. It isn't clear what the end result will be, but it's a good sign for consumers that Nintendo has acknowledged and apologized for the issue.
The bright side of the lawsuit is that it will likely prompt Nintendo to make improvements to future Joy-Cons. There's a wide range of possibilities as far as what that could entail, but higher quality components and better build quality overall would almost certainly be the end goal. For now, fans will just have to wait and see.
Source: Nintendo (via Kotaku)