Nintendo's Switch faces French claim of 'planned obsolescence'

Good for Que Choisir and France for this law. Our planet deserves nothing less.

The Switch is going to be left far behind once the Xbox series X and PS5 are in full swing 

Nah, it won't. Very true that Nintendo's system is way underpowered compared to the other two rivals. But their target audience are people looking to play the same old franchises like Animal Crossing, Zelda, Metroid and Mario games, and potability (3DS and DS were there only things keeping them afloat when PS4 was in full swing).

They had this law suit coming a long time ago. Their joystick fails way too quick and way too often. After years in the market they should have been able to fix this but nope. Japan, US and other countries should follow suit.

They don’t make them like they used to. I have a Nintendo Famicom, released in 1983, which is still working fine after 37 years and could easily last another 37 more. But any system built in the last twenty years won’t last like that.

@oldman_13, i think you don't understand what the switch is actually for. It was never competing with Sony and Xbox in their field. Nintendo has their own target audience. They develop fun games for kids to play on handheld mode. Nintendo never cared about their machines being underpowered. They only created interesting games that are not focus on resolutions. Most are platforming or rpg's games. You don't need high tech to gain support from fans. As long the games they push out are fun and enjoyable, the new generation kids will still buy them. In essence they are actually still a toy company which main target are the kids. Which is why every time the company release a new game, it literally top the sales chart for weeks. Even their old classic are sold out immediately when it comes out.

I would that they take a good look at printers and the software inside.

Do you anyone who doesn't have a printer complaint (story)?

Gary

The Switch has been a massive hit. The stripped-down one that doesn't connect to a tv (or "doesn't switch", if you prefer) is probably a dud but the regular one is a great console for its intended audience.

Controllers need 100% reliability and failing within a year is unacceptable, even for folks playing more violent titles like Smash Bros. My son mostly uses a PS style controller, not the ones that came with it.

I'm glad this is happening I already have 2 left controllers completely useless (I recalibrated, cleaned using q-tips and dry alcohol, worked for a little while but the problem persisted) this happened way too quickly and considering the price for a new one this is unacceptable. I never had any issue with my PS3 or ps4 controllers... or if I did it was because of mistreatment. In this case it's just bad designed or programmed obsolescence.

@Hiro I agree with all that, but I'd also add that the Switch has been a great system to play my indie games on the go, too! The hardware is good enough to run 95% of indie titles smoothly.

I would that they take a good look at printers and the software inside.

Do you anyone who doesn't have a printer complaint (story)?

Gary, you don't buy the printer - you buy the ink. It's alot like those "cheap" razors that make their money by vastly overcharging for new blades.

Way too many electronic goods last only a short time before they are trashed, this is a massive problem. Same with cheap clothes that are tossed after a year or two.

Society has become way too disposable, very little is made to LAST these days sadly

I don’t disagree with the lawsuit, but for anyone who is experiencing issues now replacing the analog stick is super easy and is 10% of the cost of replacing an entire joy-con itself.

@Franch

How quickly do electronic devices become obsolete? How many of us are using phones which are more than 5 years old? And what exactly is a “green economy”?

France had a green economy in the 18th century, but few people today would trade places with their 18th century ancestors. There are many excesses in our modern economies, but the for the most part the economic activity they create keeps us employed, keeps roofs over our heads, and food on our tables, and we enjoy a quality of life far exceeding that of previous generations.

Instead of punishing or fining foreign companies which do not comply with France’s obtuse rules and regulations, France should simply ban the Import of their goods. France can then either produce compliant products in France, or see how their people feel when they are not able to buy products they want.

I was recently looking at country estates in France, and marveled at how cheap they were. You can buy a chateau with stables and acreage for less than a 2LDK apartment in the Minato Ward of Tokyo. But now I can see why they are so cheap.

Planned obsolescence - isn't that how all products are designed?

planned obsolescence programmed/slowed down electronics is akin to huge plastic containers with very small food inside, it's disgraceful and such a waste of everything in process

This is why we haven't moved from 3DS to the Switch.

Our 3DS will last forever on a single charge, are sturdy and well built.

Sure the 3D function is a gimmick and got quickly turned off, but the unit is reliable.

Switch just doesn't have the same sturdiness, glad we didn't move over.

It's kinda French kiss none is knowing the tongue movement, BTW, "Joy-Con drift" the word CON is bad language in French. Soft games are always renewing types. I don't know anything of what is the game, just this columnis really a "French connection" to me, haha!

*column is.

this is necessary for all other countries.

Nintendo has avoided responsibility for an obvious defect.

How quickly do electronic devices become obsolete? How many of us are using phones which are more than 5 years old? And what exactly is a “green economy”?

sangetsu03 -your rambling polemic against France misses the point. The switch controllers are not lasting a year, let alone five and are hugely expensive to replace. If Nintendo does not want a lawsuit, then it should produce controllers that last longer than a year.

Lots of in us have technology that lasts more than 5 years. There is nothing wrong with my Nintendo Wii and that's ancient.

I would not be surprised here. I had 2 Wii's fail pretty much after the same period since purchase, so came to the exact same conclusion that this French Organisation came up with. Good for them to push it forward. And I hope Nintendo is found out, for their bad practices, and made pay for it, along with other Companies that do the same... Apple ... being another great and (verified) example here.

"insufficient seals that let in too much sweat or grime into the controller"

Sweat or grime?? You're playing waaaaay toooo much!!!

They don’t make them like they used to. I have a Nintendo Famicom, released in 1983, which is still working fine after 37 years and could easily last another 37 more. But any system built in the last twenty years won’t last like that.

I completely and wholeheartedly agree. As with all invented things (ranging from automobiles to entertainment tech), the almighty dollar speaks loud and is evermore and more voracious in appetite. It consumes almost all care and quality and is only concerned about making more of itself while only giving out the slightest possible blessing of durability and longevity.

NINETENDO - "Switch" .. to something else.

The Japanese probably didn't understand the real meaning of the Word "Switch" at the time they chose it, so now maybe the time to follow through and teach them an English lesson, and actually "switch to something else".

Don't have a clue nor do I care about this Switch- gate, but I'm thinking those restaurants with Michelins stars in Japan might start charging French people double lol.

The Switch is going to be left far behind once the Xbox series X and PS5 are in full swing this holiday season. The Switch was already underpowered compared to the PS4/Xbox One when it released.