Nintendo has agreed to pay approximately $40 million after French consumer protection authorities ruled that the company failed to properly inform customers about the long-standing Joy Con drift issue affecting some Nintendo Switch controllers.
The Joy Con drift problem has been a source of controversy since the Nintendo Switch launched in 2017. Players around the world reported unintended character and camera movements caused by faulty analog sticks, even when the controllers were not being touched.
According to French regulators, Nintendo was aware of the defect before publicly addressing it in 2020. The investigation concluded that between 2018 and 2023 the company did not provide consumers with sufficiently clear and timely information regarding the issue.
Authorities also argued that Nintendo’s approach may have encouraged some users to purchase replacement controllers rather than seek repairs through official support channels. As part of the settlement, Nintendo of Europe agreed to pay roughly $40 million and publish a notice about the ruling on its French website.
Joy Con drift has led to numerous consumer complaints, lawsuits, and investigations across several regions since the release of the Nintendo Switch. In 2023, Nintendo expanded its European repair program, allowing affected controllers to be repaired free of charge even after the standard warranty period had expired.
The French decision marks another chapter in the long-running Joy Con drift controversy, which continues to affect Nintendo years after the console’s original launch.
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