Joy-Con Drift: Nintendo Slapped with Record €35 Million Fine

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Nintendo has been fined €35 million by France’s Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) for deceptive commercial practices related to the Joy-Con drift issue on the Nintendo Switch. The decision, announced on June 8, 2026, concludes a case that has spanned nearly a decade. The controversy dates back to the 2017 launch of the Nintendo Switch, when numerous consumers began reporting malfunctions with the console’s detachable controllers. This phenomenon, known as Joy-Con drift, caused phantom movements, reversed commands, or actions to be triggered without player input, sometimes making games unplayable. Following a complaint filed by UFC-Que Choisir in 2020, the DGCCRF opened an investigation to determine if Nintendo had adequately informed its customers about the issue. The investigation revealed that Nintendo of Europe was aware of the Joy-Con drift problems much earlier than publicly admitted. Specifically, the company is accused of having been aware of these malfunctions as early as 2018 but did not officially acknowledge or apologize for the issue until 2020. The investigation’s findings were submitted to the Nanterre prosecutor’s office in 2025.

The DGCCRF concluded that Nintendo of Europe engaged in deceitful business practices between 2018 and 2023. This delayed communication is believed to have influenced consumer behavior, potentially leading some players to purchase new controllers rather than seeking repairs or exercising their legal rights. Nintendo proposed a penal transaction of €35 million, which Nintendo of Europe accepted. This fine is one of the most significant issued by the DGCCRF in the technology sector. As part of the settlement, Nintendo will also publish an official statement on its French website to inform consumers about the decision. Nintendo denies intentionally misleading customers, and paying the fine does not constitute an admission of guilt. Despite the controversy, the Nintendo Switch has achieved colossal success, selling over 155 million units worldwide. Since 2023, Nintendo has committed to repairing affected Joy-Cons free of charge, even after the legal warranty expires. Affected players can submit repair requests directly to the manufacturer’s aftersales service.

Regulatory Scrutiny for Nintendo in Europe Amidst Preparations for Switch 2 and Battery Replacement Standards

This sanction comes during a period of increased regulatory scrutiny for Nintendo in Europe, as the company prepares for its next console, the Switch 2, which is designed to meet new European standards like easy battery replacement. The company must now put this significant hardware scandal from the original Switch era behind it.

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