Following complaints from European consumer groups, the Japanese gaming company Nintendo has agreed to repair for free beyond the legal guarantee period unresponsive console controllers, the European Commission said this Tuesday (04/06/23).
In 2021 Nintendo found itself in the EU spotlight after the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and nine national consumer groups complained to the EU executive about its Nintendo Switch console, saying that they deteriorate too quickly.
Known as the ‘Joy-Con drift’, the technical problem affected both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite consoles. The Commission said that the Japanese company has now agreed to address the problem.
Both the Switch and Switch Lite are affected by the Joy-Con Drift
“Nintendo agreed to offer and indicate clearly that defective Joy-Con controllers will be repaired without charge by Nintendo’s repair centers, irrespective of whether this has been caused by a defect or by wear and tear, and even if the manufacturer’s guarantee given by Nintendo has expired,” it said in a statement.
The European Consumer Organisation welcomed the announcement but criticized it as a short-term solution. In a statement, BEUC Deputy Director General Ursula Pachl said:
“This is only a short-term fix that will allow consumers to have their defective products repaired for free. Yet Nintendo can still sell the console with the potential bug…”
With that being said, hundreds of Nintendo Switch owners in the EU now can celebrate that their controllers and consoles will be fixed for free, even after the warranty expires. Did you already have trouble with your Joy-Cons? Let us know in the comment section!
Filed in . Read more about Nintendo and Nintendo Switch.
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