Some people are having issues with their new Nintendo Switch controllers
Some members of the press, ourselves included, have had Nintendo's Switch console for a few days now in advance of its March 3 release.
And some members of the press, ourselves not included, have reported issues with the left Joy-Con controller. Left shark would be (even more) ashamed if this was 2015.
The left Joy-Con controller, these other early Switch owners report, seems to occasionally register movement with a delay. Though it was initially suspected to be a de-sync issue, closer inspection by YouTube channel GameXplain shows that it could more likely be an occlusion issue depending on how the controller is gripped or positioned. And actually, in that case, it's an issue that could affect both controllers.
If this is indeed the cause for the issue everyone who has experienced it is reporting, the blocked IR signal/issue can affect both Joy-Con controllers, but is perhaps more sensitive on the left, sometimes-blue Joy-Con controller. It's also worth noting that the only game anyone can test this out on currently is the new Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which is also shaping up to be a very good game.
As previously mentioned, neither myself nor Senior Games Reporter Adam Rosenberg have experienced any lag issues with the left or right Joy-Con controllers. In fact, the only time I've been able to replicate the issue is by stepping further away from the Switch with the Joy-Cons, with the controller behind my back, partially hidden by the wall of a walk-in closet. But even at roughly 10 feet away, with the Joy-Con behind my back, my calibration tests registered just fine. It wasn't until I leaned against the wall, hidden by the walk-in closet's moulding that my controller's movement started to get a little jumpy.
If the IR interruption is at fault, or if there are other, non-hardware issues to blame, it's possible that Nintendo will square away plans for a day-one, launch firmware update to ensure the public doesn't experience the same issues. That or they might detail some kind of hand-grip instructions to make sure you're not blocking any IR signals by accident.
Nintendo says they're investigating the issue. We'll report back if we hear anything else from them.
Topics Gaming Nintendo Nintendo Switch
Tina is the Games Editor for Mashable. She is a born and raised New Yorker. She received a degree in Media, Culture and Communication at New York University, where she also began her writing career. Tina has been editing and writing about video games for 8 years, working across various outlets including Complex Magazine and the former Gawker's Kotaku. She's an excellent first-person shooter player but favors stories above all. She also has the world's softest cat.
