Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
Donkey Kong punching through rocks in Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza devs want to make sure Mario and DK's games feel different
GameSir G8 Galileo review image of the controller standing up against its box with red RGB lighting behind it
Gaming Controllers The best mobile controller for gaming 2026
Five different gaming controllers for PC scattered around a desktop surface
Gaming Controllers The best PC controller for gaming 2026
Nintendo Switch 2 playing Donkey Kong Bananza with Pro Controller to the left
Gaming Controllers The best Nintendo Switch 2 controller 2026: Compatible gamepads road tested with Ninty's new handheld
DualSense Edge review image showing the controller next to the original DualSense in Nova Pink
Gaming Controllers The best PS5 controller 2026: Find your Edge
The best Nintendo Switch Games with the Nintendo Switch console overlaid.
Nintendo The 25 best Nintendo Switch games to play right now
Photo of the 1TB PNY microSD Express Card sitting on a pair of Switch 2 Joy-Cons.
Accessories The 1TB PNY microSD Express Card loaded up Pokemon Pokopia faster than the Switch 2, and now it's my go-to SD card
Modder RetroOnxy using Virtual Boy wireless controller with Switch to play Switch Online games with stereoscopic 3D image on screen.
Retro You can now use an OG Virtual Boy controller wirelessly with the Switch, and I'm hoping it inspires Nintendo to create its own new pad
The Moza R12 side by side with the Logitech G RS wheels, separated by an orange line
Gaming Controllers The best racing wheels for PC in 2026
Close up photo of the right Joy-Con 2 controller sitting on top of a Switch 2 case, with microSD Express card and gaming earbud case to its right.
Accessories The best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories 2026: my top gadgets for your every day carry
Original GameCube with Blueretro Wireless Adapter in port next to Sony PVM CRT with hand holding Switch 2 GameCube controller in front.
Retro I've finally found a way to use the Switch 2 GameCube controller with an actual GameCube
Image of the Nintendo Switch OLED on a table with a headset and gaming earbuds siting around it, taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe.
Nintendo Switch The best Nintendo Switch accessories 2026: all the top gadgets for your consoles
A patented Sony controller design next to the PS5's DualSense controller
Gaming Controllers The PS6 controller might not even have buttons on it as a new patent hints Sony is going all-in on haptic feedback
Nintendo Switch 2 console on a stand against a red background
Games Nintendo doesn't want Switch 2 eShop to "become a giant slop fest," New Blood CEO claims
Genki Covert Dock plugged into Nintendo Switch console
Nintendo Switch The best Nintendo Switch charger
  1. Platforms
  2. Nintendo
  3. Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch Joy Cons are like car tyres, according to one exec

News
By Hirun Cryer published 8 October 2021

Nintendo has apparently been strengthening the reliability test for the Joy Cons

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Nintendo Switch
(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

A Nintendo executive has compared the Switch's Joy Cons to car tyres in their durability and operation. 

Speaking in the last 'Ask the Developer' newsletter, Nintendo technology general manager Ko Shiota spoke about the inevitable nature of wear and tear to the Nintendo Switch Joy Cons. "Yes," said Shiota when asked if wear was unavoidable. "For example car tires wear out as the car moves, as they are in constant friction with the ground to rotate. So with that same premise, we asked ourselves how we can improve durability, and not only that, but how can both operability and durability coexist?"

Elsewhere in the newsletter, deputy general manager Toru Yamashita addressed improvements made to the Nintendo Switch Joy Cons since launch in 2017. "Joy-Con controllers have lots of different features, so we’ve been continuing to make improvements that may not always be visible," Yamashita stated. "Among others, the analogue stick parts have continuously been improved since launch, and we are still working on improvements."

You may like
  • Image of the new light purple and light green Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers on a pink GamesRadar+ background. Nintendo reveals first set of new Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers, and underwhelming is putting it lightly
  • Official product image of someone holding the Game Tech one-handed grip with one hand. This new Switch 2 accessory lets you play both Joy-Cons with one hand, and it's a win for accessibility
  • Nintendo Switch 2 playing Donkey Kong Bananza with Pro Controller to the left The best Nintendo Switch 2 controller 2026: Compatible gamepads road tested with Ninty's new handheld

Yamshita went on to add that the Nintendo Switch Joy Cons cleared the same reliability test at launch that was originally put to the Wii U Gamepad's analog sticks. Since then however, Nintendo has improved the reliability test itself, and have "continued to make changes to improve durability and clear this new test," according to Yamashita.

This is no doubt good news for those out there who have been troubled by the Joy Con controllers drifting over the last four years. This problem has been a recurring one for Nintendo Switch players ever since the console first launched in 2017, and earlier this year in January 2021, Nintendo actually faced a Europe-wide investigation into Joy Con drift, due to the outcry of customers.

If you've been experiencing these problems of late, you can read up on our guide on how to fix Joy Con drift on the Nintendo Switch for more. Or check how to charge Joy-Cons for Nintendo Switch here.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
PRODUCTS
Nintendo Switch Lite Nintendo Switch OLED Nintendo Switch
Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
Image of the new light purple and light green Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers on a pink GamesRadar+ background.
Gaming Controllers Nintendo reveals first set of new Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers, and underwhelming is putting it lightly
 
 
Official product image of someone holding the Game Tech one-handed grip with one hand.
Accessories This new Switch 2 accessory lets you play both Joy-Cons with one hand, and it's a win for accessibility
 
 
Nintendo Switch 2 playing Donkey Kong Bananza with Pro Controller to the left
Gaming Controllers The best Nintendo Switch 2 controller 2026: Compatible gamepads road tested with Ninty's new handheld
 
 
Image of the light purple and light green Switch 2 Joy-Con on a pink GamesRadar+ background.
Gaming Controllers The first new Switch 2 Joy-Con controller colors are here, and here's where to get them
 
 
Image of the Strawberry Sage Edition KontrolFreek grips on a pair of Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers.
Accessories My friend was on the hunt for a pair of thumbsticks, and these KontrolFreek Switch 2 grips were my immediate go-to
 
 
Image of the Jsaux Switch 2 grip being held up in front of a TV running Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition.
Accessories I'm re-obsessed with Animal Crossing New Horizons and this $22 Switch 2 accessory is to blame
 
 
Latest in Nintendo Switch
Chained Echoes
RPGs Creator of acclaimed retro-style RPG Chained Echoes prepares a lawsuit against physical game publisher
 
 
Overwatch Jetpack Cat smiling smugly
FPS Games "What if we could just drop 30 new heroes into Overwatch?": Marvel Rivals "definitely had an impact" on Blizzard
 
 
Overwatch's Brigitte offers you a hand up.
FPS Games Overwatch director celebrates no longer being "the lowest-rated game on Steam" but he's not sure how to reach positive
 
 
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Survival Horror Games "They're not good enough," joke devs behind "self-feeding" horror giant stuck in the Steam Top 50 while others rot
 
 
Photo of Donkey Kong Bananza and Legend of Zelda Echoes of Wisdom and a pair of Switch 2 Joy-Cons.
Games If you don't want to play Pokemon Pokopia, these Switch game deals will keep you busy
 
 
Photo of the ear cup of the Nacon RIG R5 Spear Max HD PC gaming headset.
Headsets & Headphones Nacon just unveiled the RIG R5 Spear Max HD headset, and I'm ecstatic the snap-lock feature is here to stay
 
 
Latest in News
Five Nights at Freddy's 2
Tabletop Gaming Mckenna Grace opens Pokemon cards at the Oscars, and it's one hell of a vibe
 
 
Buffy: The Vampire Slayer
Fantasy Shows Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar blames a Hulu exec who is "not a fan of the original" for the spin-off being axed
 
 
Spider-Man: Brand New Day suit
Marvel Movies Spider-Man: Brand New Day's 24-hour trailer launch makes Avengers: Doomsday's cast reveal look small
 
 
Starfield with Nvidia DLSS 5
Games Nvidia's DLSS 5 "AI slop" filter being torn apart by devs from Baldur's Gate 3, Palworld, and more
 
 
Turquoise Retroid Pocket G2 handheld on a black background
Retro Retroid discontinues Pocket G2 "due to ongoing fluctuations in memory pricing"
 
 
Mayor Fisk/Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio) taking part in a boxing match
Marvel TV Shows Vincent D'Onofrio says something major happens to Kingpin in Daredevil: Born Again season 2's finale
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Buffy: The Vampire Slayer
    1
    Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar blames a Hulu exec who is "not a fan of the original" for the spin-off being axed
  2. 2
    When can I pre-load Crimson Desert and when does it release?
  3. 3
    Spider-Man: Brand New Day's 24-hour trailer launch makes Avengers: Doomsday's cast reveal look small
  4. 4
    Retroid discontinues Pocket G2 "due to ongoing fluctuations in memory pricing"
  5. 5
    There's upscaling, and then there's changing a game's art direction, and your GPU should only do one

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...