Nintendo to Switch owners: Avoid aquariums if you're having Joy-Con issues
Aquariums, bundles of wires and other wireless devices -- including, presumably, other video game machines -- are bad news for Nintendo Switch owners.
The company has finally addressed reports of Joy-Con Controller issues in wireless mode that surfaced prior to the new console's release. A new support page lays out tips for getting your hardware to work as it's supposed to.
According to Nintendo, Switch owners should take care to not place their console behind a TV, in or under a metal object, up against a tangle of wires, near an aquarium (no, really), or -- and I'm quoting this directly -- "within three to four feet of another wireless device, such as a wireless speaker or wireless access point."
Any of these scenarios could cause interference between the Switch and Joy-Cons, provided the controllers are being used in wireless mode. More generally, it's also a good idea to minimize the distance between you and your Switch.
Of course, before you start rearranging your gaming space or flushing beloved fish down the toilet, check to make sure your Switch is fully updated and your Joy-Cons are charged. Either of those factors could be the culprit as well.
I've been able to replicate the Joy-Con interference issues in controlled tests, but it's not something that has affected my Switch gaming so far. I also have a relatively clear space between my console and controllers when I play wirelessly.
That's the other thing: you can make all Joy-Con issues go away by plugging in -- provided you own the $30 Joy-Con Charge Grip, that is -- or switching to tablet mode with each controller slotted in.
You can find all of this information on Nintendo's support page.
Topics Gaming Nintendo Nintendo Switch
Adam Rosenberg is a Senior Games Reporter for Mashable, where he plays all the games. Every single one. From AAA blockbusters to indie darlings to mobile favorites and browser-based oddities, he consumes as much as he can, whenever he can.Adam brings more than a decade of experience working in the space to the Mashable Games team. He previously headed up all games coverage at Digital Trends, and prior to that was a long-time, full-time freelancer, writing for a diverse lineup of outlets that includes Rolling Stone, MTV, G4, Joystiq, IGN, Official Xbox Magazine, EGM, 1UP, UGO and others.Born and raised in the beautiful suburbs of New York, Adam has spent his life in and around the city. He's a New York University graduate with a double major in Journalism and Cinema Studios. He's also a certified audio engineer. Currently, Adam resides in Crown Heights with his dog and his partner's two cats. He's a lover of fine food, adorable animals, video games, all things geeky and shiny gadgets.
