The Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived, alongside a launch line-up containing Mario Kart Worldand Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. In addition to the console and games, a number of accessories for the new console are also now available, including the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller. Released alongside the new console, the GameCube controller is basically a new version of the classic controller, with the same look and feel as it had 20 years ago. It exists so thatyou can use it with the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack GameCube gameslaunched alongside the new system.
The controller itself feels the way you want it to, including the classic crunchy triggers. It has an added ZL button, which allows you to play some regular Nintendo Switch 2 with the controller, although there are some limitations to that. The Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller feels excellent to use in both GameCube online games and new games alike, but a lack of clickable thumbsticks and button remapping being limited to GameCube NSO games makes this one a little tougher to recommend than the quality of the controller would suggest.
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Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller
7/ 10
Number of Colors1
Wireless?Yes
Compatible SystemsNintendo Switch 2
Color OptionsBlue
Make waves with this classic-style controller!
The Nintendo GameCube™ controller has the familiar look and feel of the original, along with modern features like the C-Button, which can open GameChat*, and the Capture Button.
The Nintendo GameCube controller is only compatible with the Nintendo Switch™ 2 system.
Pros & Cons
- Feels true to the original GameCube controller
- Added ZL and capture buttons make the controller useful outside of GameCube games
- Triggers feel exactly how they should
- Lighter than I would like
- Button mapping is limited to GameCube NSO games
- No alternative to clicking in thumb sticks limits the games you can us it with
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Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller price and availability
The Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller is available exclusively throughNintendo’s websitefor $65. There are no other retailers that sell it, and you are required to have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription in order to purchase it. You don’t need to have the Expansion Pack subscription, just the base one, although you will need a premium subscription to play GameCube NSO games. You are also limited to one controller per Nintendo Switch Online account, with no timeframe for when you might be able to get a second one.
- Standard Edition: $65
Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller
Number of Colors1
Wireless?Yes
Compatible SystemsNintendo Switch 2
Color OptionsBlue
Programmable ButtonsNo
Extra ButtonsNo
Release DateJune 5, 2025
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The Switch 2 GameCube controller feels excellent
It feels exactly the way I remember GameCube controllers feeling
To start with the positives, the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller feels just like an original GameCube controller feels. While that is partially from my memory of the controller, I have used an actual GameCube controller to play on a real GameCube within the past few months. Because of that, I can say pretty confidently that the vast majority of people would not be able to tell the difference between the two controllers just by holding one. It does have an added ZL button, which I wish was the same size as the Z button on the right, but it allows you to play most Nintendo Switch 2 games with it. The shoulder buttons have pressure-sensitive clicking, so you can accurately play Nintendo GameCube games. It even works in Super Mario Sunshinein the now delisted Super Mario 3D All-Stars.
I can say pretty confidently that the vast majority of people would not be able to tell the difference between the two controllers just by holding one.
Both the sticks feel a bit sturdier than the original sticks, although that could be a result of this being a brand-new controller, and the GameCube controller I recently used is not. All the extra buttons, the C button, capture, home, and the sync button, have been relegated to the top of the controller, a good spot for all of them except the capture button, which I wish was a bit more convenient.
Bizarre and unnecessary limitations
Button mapping, but only in NSO GameCube games
Outside of playing the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games, my mileage with the GameCube controller varied far more than I expected. I played a significant amount ofMario Kart Worldusing the controller, and I didn’t have any issues playing the game until I ventured into Free Roam. In Free Roam, I attempted a challenge and failed, resulting in the game prompting me to click the right stick to reset. Neither stick on the GameCube controller clicks, but I figured I could remap it, sinceMario Kart Worlddoesn’t use all the buttons, anyway. That’s when I discovered that button mapping is not available for the GameCube controller on the system level.
This limits the controller’s use pretty heavily, and in a way that doesn’t make much sense to me.
This was a bit of a shock for two reasons. First, there doesn’t seem to be any explanation for why any controller wouldn’t be able to use the system-level button mapping. Second, and even more frustrating, is that I had remapped the buttons while playingSoulCalibur 2. Within NSO GameCube games, you can fully remap the buttons on the GameCube controller without any real limitation. This makes the lack of button mapping elsewhere even more frustrating, since the functionality is obviously there. Furthermore, this means that any game where you need to click the sticks you can’t play with a GameCube controller, which could be fixed in most situations by simple button remapping. This limits the controller’s use pretty heavily, and in a way that doesn’t make much sense to me.
A great controller held back by weird Nintendo decisions
As someone who grew up with a GameCube, my nostalgia for the controller and games is incredibly powerful. I understand that, and that’s partially what makes me love using the controller so much, but there are simple design choices that speak to me. I love that the face buttons seem more concerned with comfortable placement than a clean look, the triggers still feel incredible to click on, and I love how the main thumbstick feels.
Despite my love of that original controller and its recreation of the Switch 2, the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller has some dumb and inexcusable limitations. Not being able to remap buttons for most games, despite the functionality being present for the NSO GameCube games, feels like a choice meant to force you to only use the controller for those games. There are still plenty of games I can play with the controller, not having button remapping limits the number, and does so for seemingly no reason. That said, it’s a great feeling controller, and if that sounds appealing to you, it’s worth the price, even with these limitations.
Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller
7/ 10
Number of Colors1
Wireless?Yes
Compatible SystemsNintendo Switch 2
Color OptionsBlueThe Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller feels like an excellent recreation of the classic controller. The triggers are pressure sensitive, the sticks feel great, and the added ZL button makes it work with some Switch 2 games. A lack of button remapping outside the NSO GameCube controllers unfortunately limits its usefulness.