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Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller: one-minute evaluate
After round 15 hours with the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller, I can safely suggest it when you’re searching for an genuine retro expertise on the console. This is a pin-sharp, correct recreation of the unique pad, and thus is right when you’re planning to dive into these basic GameCube video games as a part of your Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.
It’s a devoted revision, however that doesn’t imply the purple marvel hasn’t been modernized in some methods. You’re getting wi-fi connectivity right here – a key promoting level of the unique GameCube’s Wavebird controller again within the day. Battery life additionally appears to be extremely spectacular; after round 15 hours of play, its battery indicator on the Switch 2’s ‘Controllers’ menu seems about half full. As such, I estimate you’ll get round 25-30 hours of life earlier than needing to cost it up once more.
Still, ‘authentic’ doesn’t essentially imply ‘perfect’, and there are positively some extra enhancements I’d prefer to have seen, even when purists would cry foul. The controller’s d-pad continues to be far and away its weakest aspect, being extremely small and pretty mushy to the contact. And whereas I do get pleasure from these pressure-sensitive triggers, they definitely do really feel clunky compared to the best Nintendo Switch controllers of right this moment.
The solely different actual draw back to speak about is availability. That’s as a result of the Switch 2 GameCube controller is simply accessible model new by way of Nintendo’s on-line retailer, which requires a Nintendo account to log in and purchase merchandise.
On prime of that, you’ll must have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to be eligible for buy. This will likely be a hurdle to some, however when you’re planning on shopping for the controller for its supposed objective, then you definately’re more likely to already be subscribed to Nintendo’s on-line service.
Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller evaluate: worth and availability
- $64.99 / £58.99 / AU$89.95
- Available completely by way of Nintendo’s on-line retailer
- A Nintendo Switch Online-subbed account is required for buy
The Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller launched the identical day because the Nintendo Switch 2 console (June 5, 2025), and is available for purchase now for $64.99 / £58.99 / AU$89.95.
While this can be a whole lot cheaper than the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95), remember that the use case for the GameCube pad is extra restricted, because it’s primarily designed for the Switch 2’s GameCube Nintendo Classics library.
As talked about above, there are some hoops to leap by as a way to purchase the GameCube controller for your self. It’s solely accessible by Nintendo’s on-line retailer, which you’ll want a Nintendo Account as a way to make purchases from. On prime of that, Nintendo is limiting purchases to those that have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
While that’s an annoying limitation, it does make some sense. The Switch 2’s library of GameCube titles can solely be accessed by Nintendo Switch Online’s Expansion Pack tier. Thus, when you’re shopping for the controller for that cause, you’ll in all probability have already got a subscription to the net service.
Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller evaluate: Specs
|
Price |
$64.99 / £58.99 / AU$89.95 |
|
Weight |
7.4oz / 210g |
|
Dimensions |
5.5 x 3.9 x 2.6in / 140 x 100 x 65mm |
|
Compatibility |
Nintendo Switch 2 |
|
Connection kind |
Wireless |
|
Battery life |
Around 25-30 hours |
Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller evaluate: design and options
After the Sega Dreamcast, the Nintendo GameCube was my childhood system from that sixth technology of consoles (sure, I’m outdated, shut up). I spent these days taking part in lots of of hours of fantastic titles like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2, F-Zero GX, and Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. As a outcome, I’m deeply acquainted with the unique GameCube controller, and it’s considered one of my all-time favourite gamepads.
In my eyes, then, the Switch 2 model of the GameCube controller had quite a bit to reside as much as. And I’m glad to report that that is very a lot the identical controller, albeit with some modernities to make it extra usable as a up to date pad. Aside from the plain wi-fi connectivity, that features the introduction of Home, Screenshot, and GameChat buttons, in addition to a small ‘ZL’ button that kind of acts as a left set off for normal Switch and Switch 2 video games (along with accessing the short menu for the GameCube Classics library).
Otherwise, that is virtually equivalent to the unique controller, sans the wired port being changed with a USB-C port. The analog stick, C-stick, d-pad, and that iconic-yet-unorthodox face button structure are all precisely the place they need to be, and all really feel similar to that 2001 pad.
Nintendo has even gotten the smaller particulars proper. Like how the face buttons really feel ever so barely free within the locations, not a lot as to really feel flimsy, however sufficient the place they will rock round beneath your thumb. It’s a weirdly tactile really feel that I’ve all the time loved. Elsewhere, the left analog stick has all the suitable contours, bearing the identical grippy really feel because the OG model. Fear not when you have been after authenticity, then this is a GameCube controller by and thru.
Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller evaluate: Performance
With all that in thoughts, design-wise, it ought to come as no shock that the Switch 2 GameCube controller feels nearly as good now because it did again then, even with my bigger grownup arms. Its curved design is a blessing even amongst modern controllers, and through play, my arms nonetheless relaxation comfortably round its grips with index fingers wrapping snugly over the triggers.
I primarily examined the Switch 2 GameCube controller with its related Switch Online sport assortment. At the time of writing, that meant loads of gameplay in F-Zero GX, Soul Calibur 2, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Super Mario Strikers. Aside from some barely noticeable enter lag in Wind Waker (which is an issue with the emulation, as I’ve skilled the identical with the Switch 2 Pro Controller), the GameCube pad carried out excellently by wi-fi play.
It can be price noting that the controller is natively appropriate with Switch and Switch 2 video games. That means you should use it for among the best Nintendo Switch 2 games, together with Mario Kart World, Street Fighter 6, and Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. But that doesn’t imply I’d suggest it.
There are two layers to my reasoning right here. The first and reasonably apparent one is that the GameCube’s button structure is drastically at odds with the usual Switch format. On the GameCube controller, you’ve got the A button within the center, with B, X, and Y all orbiting it. If you’re lifeless set on utilizing the GameCube controller for Switch 2 video games, you’ll must depend on in-game controller settings to type a extra comfy structure.
Additionally, the pad’s triggers register bumper inputs (L and R on Switch 2 Pro Controller, and Joy-Con 2), whereas the Z and ZL buttons are the triggers by default. That basically means the position has swapped round, which is greater than a bit of awkward.
That’s the place my second level is available in. The Switch 2 doesn’t at present help GameCube controller button mapping from the Home dashboard, because it does for different official pads. This is a little bit of a bizarre omission, and one I hope will get patched in someplace down the road. Ultimately, although, I’m glad that Nintendo at the very least gives GameCube controller compatibility as an possibility.
There are different control-related points, however these are legacy issues on the very least. The triggers will certainly really feel a bit of too clunky for some, and the d-pad continues to be far too small, rugged, and mushy-feeling. Would I’ve favored to have seen some enhancements in these areas? Sure, however given my attachment to the unique GameCube controller, I’m equally hesitant to introduce any sweeping adjustments from a purist perspective.
Lastly, the controller at the very least significantly impresses within the realm of battery life. I examined the GameCube controller for round 15 hours, and whereas I didn’t totally drain the tank, I ended up utilizing about half, in line with the Switch 2’s controller menu. With that in thoughts, I’d estimate the pad homes wherever between 25-30 hours of battery life, a equally spectacular quantity to that of the Switch 2 Pro Controller.
Should I purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller?
Buy it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller evaluate: Also take into account
The Switch 2 GameCube controller is a fairly particular piece of package, made for a really particular set of video games. Here are some options in case you’re having second ideas.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Switch 2 GameCube Controller |
Switch 2 Pro Controller |
8BitDo Ultimate 2 |
|
Price |
$64.99 / £58.99 / AU$89.95 |
$84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95 |
$69.99 / £59.99 / AU$90 |
|
Weight |
7.4oz / 210g |
8.3oz / 235g |
8.7oz / 246g |
|
Dimensions |
5.5 x 3.9 x 2.6in / 140 x 100 x 65mm |
5.8 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 148 x 105 x 60mm |
5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm |
|
Compatibility |
Nintendo Switch 2 |
Nintendo Switch 2 |
Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC |
|
Connection kind |
Wireless |
Bluetooth, USB Type-C |
2.4GHz, Bluetooth, USB Type-C |
|
Battery life |
Around 25-30 hours |
Around 40 hours |
10-15 hours |
How I examined the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller
- Tested for about 15 hours
- Played a spread of GameCube classics and Switch 2 video games
- Compared to the Switch 2 Pro Controller when it comes to really feel, efficiency, and battery life
I examined the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller for round 15 hours whole, primarily utilizing it for its supposed objective of taking part in with Nintendo Switch Online’s GameCube library. I additionally combined in testing with some Switch 2 video games, together with Mario Kart World, Street Fighter 6, and Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Results have been admittedly combined right here, because the GameCube controller’s button structure isn’t greatest suited to extra fashionable titles.
I primarily performed on my LG CX OLED TV, and in contrast its efficiency with GameCube video games to that of the Switch 2 Pro Controller. Both are well-suited, although I did discover myself having to tweak button settings for the latter to raised swimsuit the management schemes of titles like F-Zero GX and Soul Calibur 2. With the GameCube controller, I didn’t have to fret about this because the controls are all mapped as supposed.
First reviewed July 2025