A new Android app turns smartphones into Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons. The software may be a welcomed remedy for peripherals that have caused problems for a number of Switch owners, specifically Joy-Con drift.
Since launching in 2017, the Switch has been a wild success for Nintendo. It currently sits at over 50 million units sold as of January 2020, surpassing the Super Nintendo’s lifetime sales. Unfortunately, many users began reporting drift issues with their Joy-Cons almost since launch (the left controller especially). Basically, the analog stick will function even when it isn’t being touched. This causes characters or in-game cameras to move on their own, which can be a big nuisance. It’s become enough of a widespread problem that Nintendo currently faces a class-action lawsuit over the issue.
Per Nintendo Life, those suffering from Joy-Con drift who don’t want to shell out $70 for a new pair may have an unorthodox solution in JoyCon Droid. The smartphone app comes courtesy of DeepBlue Labs and allows Android phones to function as either the left or right Joy-Cons, as well as a Pro Controller. Users can also connect USB gamepads to the phone, which can then be used to control the Switch. JoyCon Droid replicates the original peripheral’s accelerator, gyroscope, and features custom gamepad interfaces.
Using an Android phone as a JoyCon from NintendoSwitch
To give it a shot, consumers’ devices needs to have a Bluetooth HID profile and be Android Pie (9) or higher. The app is currently in Public Alpha, so some technical hiccups will likely occur. DeepBlue Labs provides step-by-step set-up instructions on the app’s Google Play page, as well as a link to their Discord channel to voice concerns.
Of course, touch screen controls aren’t always a perfect replacement for traditional buttons. However, this could be a welcomed, if not short-term, alternative given that even the Switch Lite may have caught the drift bug. Anyone hoping for a more powerful Switch model to solve the problem will seemingly have to wait a little longer on that too. Seeing this nagging annoyance bleed into 2020 isn’t a great look for a device that, as great as it is, has been somewhat cold this year as far as releases go. Beyond Animal Crossing: New Horizons, there’s a surprising lack of major first-party titles in the near future. That will assuredly change as 2020 progresses, so hopefully this app can help players enjoy whatever Nintendo decides to put out. Or the company can just fix the Joy-Con for good already.
