Nintendo has agreed to pay $40 million to settle a long-running dispute over Joy-Con drift. The settlement addresses claims that the company failed to properly inform customers about the issue. The problem affected Nintendo Switch controllers sold between 2018 and 2023.
French regulators found Nintendo failed to inform customers
The Joy-Con drift controversy stems from a design flaw that causes analog sticks to register movement without input. French regulators investigated the matter and found Nintendo's communication lacking. The company later expanded its free repair policy in Europe in 2023.
The $40 million settlement covers European customers, primarily in France. Nintendo did not admit wrongdoing as part of the agreement. The payout aims to compensate users who experienced drift and were not adequately informed about repair options.
Nintendo expanded free repair policy in Europe in 2023
Nintendo's free repair program, expanded in 2023, now covers more regions in Europe. The company has also updated its support pages to clarify drift issues. These steps followed years of complaints from Switch owners worldwide.
The settlement marks one of the largest financial penalties related to Joy-Con drift. Nintendo has faced similar lawsuits in other regions, including the United States. The company continues to sell Joy-Con controllers with the same basic design.
Nintendo has not announced any changes to the current Joy-Con hardware. The company maintains that the drift issue affects a small percentage of units. Owners who still experience problems can use the free repair service.
Source: DEXERTO
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