Hardware RIP Joycon :'(

[Deleted User]

I was packing my bag this morning and decided to bring my Switch with me. I packed my bag a bit too roughly and when I took out my Switch on the train I realised I managed to crush the analog stick in the right Joycon. I was thinking this morning that the Switch's portability "gimmick" is more than just a gimmick. Now my home console-portable hybrid is not very portable.

I've done some research online and found a guide on how to disassemble the joycons. Replacing the analog stick looks easy enough to do myself with the right tools but I can't find a site which sells replacement Joycon analog sticks. My best option seems to be keep an eye out for broken Joycons with different faults, purchase one then salvage the analog stick. I imagine Ninty will charge a pretty penny for their own repair services and a new pair of Joycons is quite expensive.

 

[wsh1994]

Dont they sell singel joy-cons? its still quite an amount of money of course but honestly, i would prefer that over dodgy replacement parts...

 

[sarkwalvein]

You could also buy a new joycon, it works instantly, and potentially it costs way less than the time you would spend fixing it, well, depending how much you value your hour.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

You could also buy a new joycon, it works instantly, and potentially it costs way less than the time you would spend fixing it, well, depending how much you value your hour.

Replacing an analog stick shouldn't take much time at all. The JoyCons are easy to disassemble.

I was packing my bag this morning and decided to bring my Switch with me. I packed my bag a bit too roughly and when I took out my Switch on the train I realised I managed to crush the analog stick in the right Joycon. I was thinking this morning that the Switch's portability "gimmick" is more than just a gimmick. Now my home console-portable hybrid is not very portable.

I've done some research online and found a guide on how to disassemble the joycons. Replacing the analog stick looks easy enough to do myself with the right tools but I can't find a site which sells replacement Joycon analog sticks. My best option seems to be keep an eye out for broken Joycons with different faults, purchase one then salvage the analog stick. I imagine Ninty will charge a pretty penny for their own repair services and a new pair of Joycons is quite expensive.

Good luck. It took me a few months of checking eBay every day for broken JoyCon listings until I finally found a broken left JoyCon that had low bids, shipped to my country and also didn't have overpriced shipping. Ended up paying €18.50 for one a few days ago (with a faulty analog stick), all I really needed was the mainboard but as you say finding replacement parts is hard. That's €10-20 less than I would have paid for other listings, as shipping from US costs about twice as much and the other listings usually had higher bids.

You might have an easier time. I don't know what country that flag is, so shipping to where you live might not be cheap, but about 80% of the broken JoyCon listings on eBay are for right JoyCons (and there aren't a lot of them to begin with), which is part of the reason why it took me so long to find one that fit my requirements. Most of them seem to have faulty sticks though. Makes me wonder what all of these people are doing to break their analog sticks and whether I should be worried about mine breaking.

Also, what do you mean you crushed the analog stick? What exactly happened to it, did it break off?

 

[BvanBart]

I (personally) always find it very nice to repair gameconsoles and peripherals. This weekend I fixed a Nintendo 3DS upper screen. Sure it took some time... but the joy that it works is very satisfying.
The Joycons can be ordered with Aliexpress!

Link here

 

[migles]

Dont they sell singel joy-cons? its still quite an amount of money of course but honestly, i would prefer that over dodgy replacement parts...

You could also buy a new joycon, it works instantly, and potentially it costs way less than the time you would spend fixing it, well, depending how much you value your hour.

a whole 60+ bucks for a rubber part?
you are the love of programmed obsolescence

 

[sarkwalvein]

a whole 60+ bucks for a rubber part?
you are the love of programmed obsolescence

They cost 30-40 bucks, you can buy only one joycon if you want.

 

[Deathscreton]

I found the analog stick replacements on Ebay easy with a quick search.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3D-Analog-...948596?hash=item33df7e9b74:g:amMAAOSwndZaWHpe

You're looking at around 30 bucks for each stick, coming from china with a wait time of about two to four weeks. However, you can just easily get a replacement joy con for the same cost, straight from Ninty on Amazon.

Left: https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Joy-L-Gray-switch/dp/B01N4NOLPY

Right: https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Joy-R-Gray-switch/dp/B01MR5R96K

The original price is 50 bucks per con, but they seem to be on sale for close to 30 a pop.

 

[BvanBart]

I found the analog stick replacements on Ebay easy with a quick search.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3D-Analog-...948596?hash=item33df7e9b74:g:amMAAOSwndZaWHpe

You're looking at around 30 bucks for each stick, coming from china with a wait time of about two to four weeks. However, you can just easily get a replacement joy con for the same cost, straight from Ninty on Amazon.

Left: https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Joy-L-Gray-switch/dp/B01N4NOLPY

Right: https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Joy-R-Gray-switch/dp/B01MR5R96K

The original price is 50 bucks per con, but they seem to be on sale for close to 30 a pop.

That is really expansive. Aliexpress has them for a lot less!

 

[Deathscreton]

That is really expansive. Aliexpress has them for a lot less!

It's only fifteen dollars more for a brand new joy con. I mean, if they don't mind waiting 15-40 days for a replacement analog stick, then sure. I guess it's up to them how much their time is worth.

 

[BvanBart]

It's only fifteen dollars more for a brand new joy con. I mean, if they don't mind waiting 15-40 days for a replacement analog stick, then sure. I guess it's up to them how much their time is worth.

You are old school man! Aliexpress delivers within a week these days . Ordered last Monday and received today (normal cheap ass shipping)

 

[Deathscreton]

You are old school man! Aliexpress delivers within a week these days . Ordered last Monday and received today (normal cheap ass shipping)

Really? It says on the main page that it could take anywhere between that time limit. Drop-shipping typically has atrocious time delays. I suppose if they could guarantee it, then sure. But again, that's only 15 bucks more for a BRAND NEW joy con. That includes not having to take apart the old one and potentially damaging something else if you aren't savvy. That's pretty cool their shipping times are quicker though.

 

[H1B1Esquire]

https://www.gamestop.com/nintendo-switch/accessories/nintendo-switch-joy-con-right-neon-blue/143659

$27.99 from G$ if you're an elite pro member.

 

[TheCyberQuake]

And that's why I never pack a bare portable console. Only exception being the DS line due to clamshell design or older consoles with no joystick. Always buy a case for trips to protect the console.

 

[RyanTheArchivist]

I was packing my bag this morning and decided to bring my Switch with me. I packed my bag a bit too roughly and when I took out my Switch on the train I realised I managed to crush the analog stick in the right Joycon. I was thinking this morning that the Switch's portability "gimmick" is more than just a gimmick. Now my home console-portable hybrid is not very portable.

I've done some research online and found a guide on how to disassemble the joycons. Replacing the analog stick looks easy enough to do myself with the right tools but I can't find a site which sells replacement Joycon analog sticks. My best option seems to be keep an eye out for broken Joycons with different faults, purchase one then salvage the analog stick. I imagine Ninty will charge a pretty penny for their own repair services and a new pair of Joycons is quite expensive.

you can by a single right joycon or single left joycon for $40

 

[nWo]

A trip case would have saved your trouble. I have a Mario themed one and it´s sturdy, I carry the S anywhere and no problem. Sorry to hear that man, hope you find a solution soon.

 

[MikaDubbz]

Always travel with a proper carrying case for your Switch when you bring it somewhere, and not a flimsy one either, one that wont crush the Switch if weight is applied to it.

 

[Old]

Cripes, the Joycon things are really THAT fragile??

Wtf, Big N — I’ve still got original NES & SNES controllers that work perfectly, the suckers were built like tanks....jeeeeeeze.....

 

[MikaDubbz]

Cripes, the Joycon things are really THAT fragile??

Wtf, Big N — I’ve still got original NES & SNES controllers that work perfectly, the suckers were built like tanks....jeeeeeeze.....

OP says he packed the Switch roughly, not sure who would think that you are alright doing that with such a compact electronic.

 

[Old]

OP says he packed the Switch roughly, not sure who would think that you are alright doing that with such a compact electronic.

Ohhhh, I missed the “rough packing” (snicker) part. Yeah, gotta be somewhat careful. I use hard shell cases, and if need be, a little metal strongbox with a soft lining.

Still in all, though, I bet the build quality has dipped in recent years, at least somewhat. I mean, we put those old NES controllers through *HELL*, and many of ‘em still work perfectly. I wonder if the same will be said about joycons 30 years from now?