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[Draugoth]

Nintendo is closing its subscription service for Switch repairs in Japan after just a year.

Priced at 200 yen per month ($1.50/£1.20) or 2,000 yen per year ($15/£12), Wide Care launched last summer billed as “a flat-rate repair warranty service that can be subscribed to at any time”.

However, as spotted by Perfectly Nintendo, the platform holder will no longer be accepting new subscriptions or contract renewals from August 31, 2023.

Products covered by Wide Care include Switch and Switch Lite consoles, Joy-Con controllers, the Switch dock and AC adapters.

In addition to natural breakdowns, water damage and accidental damage are covered.

Nintendo never announced plans to launch the service outside of Japan.

Source

 

[AJUMP23]

New console incoming.

 

[Deft Beck]

How often do people break their Switches in Japan? Must've not been very lucrative even in the domestic market if they shut it down.

 

[Drew1440]

How often do people break their Switches in Japan? Must've not been very lucrative even in the domestic market if they shut it down.

The screens are probably the most often part that gets broke/replaced, followed by the battery.

 

[ZoukGalaxy]

Didn't even know that was a thing.

 

[acm2000]

replacing all those joycon analog sticks mustve been costing them a fortune

 

[dotnotbot]

Wait, that price was a steal. Would be worth it even for joycon repairs alone but it covered everything.

 

[blacktout]

replacing all those joycon analog sticks mustve been costing them a fortune

I could be wrong, but I think Nintendo is still doing free repairs for drifting joycons in Japan just like they are in North America, subscription service or no subscription service. They weren't in Europe for a while, but I think they eventually gave in there too.

That said, you're definitely right about it costing Nintendo a fortune. I wouldn't be shocked if drift is the costliest video game hardware malfunction since Red Ring of Death.

 

[killatopak]

Nintendo never announced plans to launch the service outside of Japan.

What a shame.

 

[cireza]

replacing all those joycon analog sticks mustve been costing them a fortune

Hopefully it will have cost them the same fortune they made selling these shitty joycons several times to the same people.

 

[WhiteWaterM00se]

Probably nothing…but, Very curious timing…

 

[Rat Rage]

Seriously, Nintendo lost a lot of face with the whole Joycon situation.

I hope they feel ashamed!

They could make up for it in 2 ways:

Firstly, apologising to ALL of their fans worldwide (preferably in a dedicated apology direct)

Secondly - and that's the most important part - by actually manufacturing quality-made controllers with good components for their next console, the Switch 2.

 

[Lucifers Beard]

New console incoming.

My exact thoughts too.

 

[mitch1971]

Continues play sub for ps3 was a life saver for me before they cancelled it.