Nintendo has published a new developer interview on the anticipated Nintendo Switch OLED. They also highlight some of the improvements in this interview.
One of the problems that affected the original Nintendo Switch and later models was that the Joy-Con controllers began to drift over time, necessitating a return to Nintendo to be repaired or the use of other unorthodox ways to remove the drift from the analog sticks. As a result, several players purchased new Joy-Con controllers or replacement sticks.
During the interview, Nintendo discusses the changes to the Joy-Con controllers that they have made over time, noting that some of them may not be obvious, but they do enhance the controller over time to make it more dependable in the long run.
Joy-Con controllers have lots of different features, so we’ve been continuing to make improvements that may not always be visible. Among others, the analog-stick parts have continuously been improved since launch, and we are still working on improvements.
The analog stick at first release cleared the Nintendo reliability test using the method of rotating the stick while continually applying a load to it, with the same criteria as the Wii U GamePad’s analog stick.
As we have always been trying to improve it as well, we have investigated the Joy-Con controllers used by the customers and repeatedly improved the wear resistance and durability.
The parts of the Joy-Con analog sticks are not something that can be bought off the shelf but are specially designed, so we have undergone a lot of considerations to improve them. In addition, we improved the reliability test itself, and we have continued to make changes to improve durability and clear this new test.
When the effects of our improvements were confirmed, we promptly incorporated them into the Joy-Con controllers that are included with the console, Nintendo Switch Lite, and the ones sold individually, that were manufactured at that time. This involves the internal components of the Joy-Con, so you can’t tell the improvements from the outside, but we use the new versions of the parts when we repair them. Also, similar continual improvements have been made for the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller as well.
Nintendo is releasing the new Nintendo Switch OLED alongside Metroid Dread. They will launch today, on October 8th.
Source (via Nintendo)