Nintendo Fined €35 Million in France Over Switch Joy-Con Drift: What It Means for Switch 2 Owners

By Powkong Staff | June 9, 2026

TL;DR: France's consumer protection agency DGCCRF fined Nintendo €35 million (≈$40 million) on June 8, 2026, for knowingly selling defective Joy-Con controllers with stick drift. Nintendo agreed to pay the fine without admitting liability. The ruling covers the original Switch Joy-Cons, not Switch 2 controllers, but raises important questions about controller durability and consumer rights for the new console generation.

The €35 Million Fine: What Happened
Why Did Nintendo Agree to Pay?
Does This Affect Nintendo Switch 2 Controllers?
How to Test Your Joy-Cons for Drift
What This Means for Consumers Going Forward
Protecting Your Switch 2 Investment
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources

The €35 Million Fine: What Happened

On June 8, 2026, France's Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes (DGCCRF) announced a €35 million fine against Nintendo for "deceptive commercial practices" related to the Joy-Con drift defect on the original Nintendo Switch. The fine, reported by Le Monde, stems from an investigation that began in 2020 after thousands of French consumers complained that their Joy-Cons registered movement even when the analog stick was untouched.

The DGCCRF found that Nintendo was aware of the defect as early as 2018—two years after the Switch launched in 2017—yet continued to sell the controllers without informing consumers. The agency classified this as a "deliberate concealment of a manufacturing defect," which violates French consumer law. Nintendo did not contest the fine but also did not admit liability, a common legal strategy to avoid prolonged litigation.

Notably, this is not a class-action lawsuit. The fine is a regulatory penalty paid to the French state, not a compensation fund for affected consumers. Individual French consumers who experienced drift can still pursue separate claims, but the €35 million goes to the public treasury.

Why Did Nintendo Agree to Pay?

According to Polygon's report, Nintendo's decision to settle rather than fight the fine reflects a strategic calculation. The company has faced multiple class-action lawsuits in the United States (some dismissed, others settled for undisclosed amounts) and consumer complaints across Europe. Fighting the French regulator could have dragged on for years, generated worse publicity, and potentially led to a higher penalty if the case went to trial.

Nintendo also faced a similar situation in 2023 when the European Commission ordered the company to pay €250 million for "anti-competitive practices" related to console region-locking. The pattern shows that Nintendo is willing to pay fines to avoid drawn-out legal battles, even when it doesn't admit wrongdoing.

For consumers, the practical takeaway is that Nintendo has acknowledged—through its payment—that the Joy-Con drift issue was real and widespread. The company has offered free repairs in many regions since 2019, but the French ruling confirms that the problem existed from the start.

Does This Affect Nintendo Switch 2 Controllers?

The short answer is no—not directly. The fine specifically targets the original Switch Joy-Con controllers, which launched in 2017. The Notebookcheck report confirms that the investigation covered the period from 2017 to 2020, well before the Switch 2's launch in 2025.

However, the ruling creates indirect pressure on Nintendo for the Switch 2. The Switch 2 launched with redesigned Joy-Cons that use a different analog stick mechanism—reportedly with a higher-quality potentiometer and a redesigned dust seal. Early teardowns suggest the new sticks are more durable, but they have not yet been tested at scale over multiple years of heavy use.

If Switch 2 Joy-Cons develop drift at a similar rate, Nintendo could face even larger penalties, given the heightened awareness of the issue. The French fine sets a precedent: regulators are watching, and consumer expectations for controller durability are now higher than ever.

For Switch 2 owners, this means it's wise to invest in accessories that protect your controllers and extend their lifespan. The POWKONG Plantdock 2 Piranha - Switch Dock & Joy-Con Charger provides a dedicated charging station that keeps your Joy-Cons powered and organized, reducing wear from repeated plugging and unplugging.

How to Test Your Joy-Cons for Drift

If you own original Switch Joy-Cons, here is a simple test to check for drift—no special tools required:

Go to System Settings → Controllers and Sensors → Test Input Devices → Test Controller Buttons.
Select the Joy-Con you want to test (left or right).
Move the analog stick gently in one direction, then release it completely. If the on-screen crosshair continues moving after you let go, you have drift.
Repeat for all four cardinal directions (up, down, left, right) and for both sticks if testing a full set.

A more thorough test: open the Controller Calibration menu (same path as above) and check the "Stick" reading. A properly centered stick should read 0.0 on both axes. If you see values above 0.1 when not touching the stick, drift is present.

Nintendo offers free repairs for drift in many regions, including the EU and US. However, repair turnaround times can be 2-4 weeks. If you need a temporary solution, the POWKONG Cubedock 2 - Portable Dock & Charging Block for Switch 2 works with both Switch and Switch 2, letting you play in tabletop mode while your drifting Joy-Cons are being repaired.

What This Means for Consumers Going Forward

The French fine is a landmark moment for consumer rights in the gaming industry. Here are the key implications:

Regulatory scrutiny is increasing: The DGCCRF's action signals that European regulators are willing to penalize hardware defects even in a "discretionary" product like a video game console. This could lead to similar investigations in other EU countries.
Nintendo's reputation is on the line: The company has long prided itself on build quality. The drift scandal—and the €35 million fine—damages that reputation. Nintendo's Switch 2 marketing has emphasized "improved ergonomics and durability," which is a direct response to the drift controversy.
Third-party accessories become more important: As consumers become more cautious about Nintendo's first-party controllers, third-party options like the POWKONG Pipedock - Portable Switch Dock & Charging Block offer reliable alternatives for charging and gameplay.
Consumer education matters: Many Switch owners don't know that drift is a recognized defect with a free repair program. Spreading awareness helps affected users get their controllers fixed.

Protecting Your Switch 2 Investment

While the Switch 2's Joy-Cons are new and untested at scale, there are proactive steps you can take to minimize wear:

Use a charging dock: Repeatedly plugging and unplugging USB-C cables stresses the port and the controller battery. A dock like the POWKONG Cubedock 2 lets you charge your controllers without cable strain.
Keep the analog sticks clean: Dust and debris are primary causes of drift. Use compressed air to blow out the stick housing every few months.
Avoid aggressive stick movements: In games that require rapid stick inputs (fighting games, shooters), consider using a POWKONG Brickgeek 65W Power Adapter to keep your console powered while using a pro controller for intense gameplay.
Register your controllers: Nintendo's warranty covers manufacturing defects, but you need proof of purchase. Save your receipts or register your controllers on Nintendo's website.

The French fine is not a reason to panic about Switch 2 controllers—but it is a reason to be informed and prepared. Nintendo has learned a costly lesson, and consumers now have stronger legal backing if future hardware defects emerge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the €35 million fine mean I can get money from Nintendo?

No. The fine is a regulatory penalty paid to the French government, not a consumer compensation fund. Individual consumers in France can still pursue separate claims, but the €35 million does not directly benefit affected users.

Will Nintendo fix my drifting Joy-Cons for free?

Yes, in most regions. Nintendo offers free repairs for Joy-Con drift in the EU, US, Canada, and several other countries. Visit Nintendo's support website to start a repair request. The program covers the original Switch Joy-Cons, not Switch 2 controllers (which are not yet known to have drift issues).

Does the fine apply to Switch 2 Joy-Cons?

No. The DGCCRF investigation covered the original Switch Joy-Cons from 2017-2020. Switch 2 controllers use a redesigned analog stick mechanism. However, if Switch 2 Joy-Cons develop drift, Nintendo could face similar penalties under the precedent set by this fine.

How common is Joy-Con drift?

Multiple surveys suggest that 30-40% of original Switch owners have experienced drift to some degree. The defect is caused by dust and debris entering the potentiometer mechanism, combined with wear on the internal contact pads.

What should I do if my Switch 2 Joy-Con drifts?

First, check if it's a software issue by recalibrating the stick in System Settings. If the problem persists, contact Nintendo support immediately. If you're outside of warranty, consider a third-party repair service or replacing the stick module yourself (if you're comfortable with micro-soldering).