Recent news regarding the Nintendo Switch 2 reveals concerns about the long-standing issue of stick drift, which has plagued its predecessor, the original Switch. A recent teardown of the Switch 2 Joy Cons has shown that they contain similar components to those found in the original Joy Cons, which many gamers have experienced problems with over the years.
In a teardown posted by the user moshi_yo on Reddit, the user discovered an ALPS potentiometer stick inside the Switch 2 Joy Cons, prompting worries about the persistence of the drift problem. The user stated, “I took one of the Joy-Con 2’s apart and the markings seem to point to them being Alps, and they look so similar to the original joy con sticks.” This finding raises questions about whether the Switch 2 will repeat the drift issues that many gamers faced with the original model.
Nintendo had previously claimed that the new Joy Con sticks would be “larger and more durable” than those used in the original model. At an event in April, a Nintendo representative mentioned that the new Joy Con 2 controllers were designed from the ground up.
Despite these reassurances, the teardown suggests that at first glance, the underlying stick mechanism remains largely unchanged. While early reports indicate that the Joy Cons may be sturdier and include features to keep debris out, such as a plastic ring around the stick’s base, only time will reveal if these changes effectively mitigate drift.
Gamers who heavily use their controllers should remain cautious, as all potentiometer sticks, including those in other major consoles, can experience drift over time. The cost of new Joy Cons has also risen, with a single controller priced at $54 and a full set at $94, prompting ongoing concerns among dedicated Switch 2 players about long-term use and potential replacements.
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