The Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller combines the best of the original gamepad and its wireless Wavebird counterpart into one faithful package
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17 Jul 2025 01:45:42 am.
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Verdict
The Nintendo Switch 2’s bespoke GameCube controller is very much a case of ‘what you see is what you get,’ offering an authentic controller experience with improvements like wireless connectivity, GameChat, and Home buttons, and incredible battery life. It’s definitely a warts-and-all recreation, though, with the same mushy d-pad and clunky triggers that you remember from back in the day. Still, it's the ideal way to play Switch 2’s growing library of classic GameCube games.
Pros
- +A faithful recreation of one of Nintendo’s best controllers
- +Can be used wirelessly
- +Native compatibility with most Switch 2 games
- +Very impressive battery life
Cons
- -Button mapping can’t be changed
- -D-pad still isn’t great
- -Triggers may feel too clunky for some
- -Only available if you’re a Switch Online subscriber
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Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller: one-minute review
After around 15 hours with the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller, I can safely recommend it if you’re looking for an authentic retro experience on the console. This is a pin-sharp, accurate recreation of the original pad, and thus is ideal if you’re planning to dive into those classic GameCube games as part of your Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.
It’s a faithful revision, but that doesn’t mean the purple wonder hasn’t been modernized in some ways. You’re getting wireless connectivity here - a key selling point of the original GameCube’s Wavebird controller back in the day. Battery life also seems to be incredibly impressive; after around 15 hours of play, its battery indicator on theSwitch 2’s ‘Controllers’ menu appears about half full. As such, I estimate you’ll get around 25-30 hours of life before needing to charge it up again.
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Still, ‘authentic’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘perfect’, and there are definitely some more improvements I’d like to have seen, even if purists would cry foul. The controller’s d-pad is still far and away its weakest element, being incredibly small and fairly mushy to the touch. And while I do enjoy those pressure-sensitive triggers, they certainly do feel clunky in comparison to thebest Nintendo Switch controllersof today.
The only other real downside to talk about is availability. That’s because the Switch 2 GameCube controller is only available brand new via Nintendo’s online store, which requires a Nintendo account to log in and buy products.
On top of that, you’ll need to have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to be eligible for purchase. This will be a hurdle to some, but if you’re planning on buying the controller for its intended purpose, then you’re likely to already be subscribed to Nintendo’s online service.
>>>WUP-003 Battery for Nintendo Wii U GamePad WUP003 WUP-012Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller review: price and availability
- $64.99 / £58.99 / AU$89.95
- Available exclusively via Nintendo’s online store
- A Nintendo Switch Online-subbed account is required for purchase
The Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller released the same day as the Nintendo Switch 2 console (June 5, 2025), and is available to buy now for $64.99 / £58.99 / AU$89.95.
While this is a good deal cheaper than theNintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller($84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95), keep in mind that the use case for the GameCube pad is more limited, as it’s primarily designed for the Switch 2’s GameCube Nintendo Classics library.
As mentioned above, there are some hoops to jump through in order to buy the GameCube controller for yourself. It’s only available through Nintendo’s online store, which you’ll need a Nintendo Account in order to make purchases from. On top of that, Nintendo is limiting purchases to those who 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 only be accessed through Nintendo Switch Online’s Expansion Pack tier. Thus, if you’re buying the controller for that reason, you’ll probably already have a subscription to the online service.
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Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller review: 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 type | Wireless |
Battery life | Around 25-30 hours |
Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller review: design and featuresAfter the Sega Dreamcast, the Nintendo GameCube was my childhood system from that sixth generation of consoles (yes, I’m old, shut up). I spent those days playing hundreds of hours of amazing titles likeTheLegend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2, F-Zero GX,andSonic Adventure 2 Battle.As a result, I’m deeply familiar with the original GameCube controller, and it’s one of my all-time favorite gamepads.
In my eyes, then, the Switch 2 version of the GameCube controller had a lot to live up to. And I’m happy to report that this is very much the same controller, albeit with some modernities to make it more usable as a contemporary pad. Aside from the obvious wireless connectivity, that includes the introduction of Home, Screenshot, and GameChat buttons, as well as a small ‘ZL’ button that sort of acts as a left trigger for regular Switch and Switch 2 games (in addition to accessing the quick menu for the GameCube Classics library).
Otherwise, this is practically identical to the original controller, sans the wired port being replaced with a USB-C port. The analog stick, C-stick, d-pad, and that iconic-yet-unorthodox face button layout are all exactly where they should be, and all feel very similar to that 2001 pad.
Nintendo has even gotten the smaller details right. Like how the face buttons feel ever so slightly loose in the places, not so much as to feel flimsy, but enough where they can rock around under your thumb. It’s a weirdly tactile feel that I’ve always enjoyed. Elsewhere, the left analog stick has all the right contours, bearing the same grippy feel as the OG version. Fear not if you were after authenticity, then thisisa GameCube controller through and through.
Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller review: Performance
With all that in mind, design-wise, it should come as no surprise that the Switch 2 GameCube controller feels as good now as it did back then, even with my larger adult hands. Its curved design is a blessing even among contemporary controllers, and during play, my hands still rest comfortably around its grips with index fingers wrapping snugly over the triggers.
I primarily tested the Switch 2 GameCube controller with its relevant Switch Online game collection. At the time of writing, that meant plenty of gameplay inF-Zero GX, Soul Calibur 2, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker,andSuperMarioStrikers.Aside from some slightly noticeable input lag inWind Waker(which is a problem with the emulation, as I’ve experienced the same with the Switch 2 Pro Controller), the GameCube pad performed excellently through wireless play.
It is also worth noting that the controller is natively compatible with Switch and Switch 2 games. That means you can use it for some of thebest Nintendo Switch 2 games, includingMario Kart World,Street Fighter 6,andTears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.But that doesn’t mean I’d recommend it.
There are two layers to my reasoning here. The first and rather obvious one is that the GameCube’s button layout is drastically at odds with the standard Switch format. On the GameCube controller, you have the A button in the middle, with B, X, and Y all orbiting it. If you’re dead set on using the GameCube controller for Switch 2 games, you’ll need to rely on in-game controller settings to form a more comfortable layout.
Additionally, the pad’s triggers register bumper inputs (L and R on Switch 2 Pro Controller, and Joy-Con 2), while the Z and ZL buttons are the triggers by default. That essentially means the placement has swapped around, which is more than a little awkward.
That’s where my second point comes in. The Switch 2 does not currently support GameCube controller button mapping from the Home dashboard, as it does for other official pads. This is a bit of a weird omission, and one I hope gets patched in somewhere down the line. Ultimately, though, I am happy that Nintendo at least offers GameCube controller compatibility as an option.
There are other control-related issues, but these are legacy problems at the very least. The triggers will definitely feel a little too clunky for some, and the d-pad is still far too small, rugged, and mushy-feeling. Would I have liked to have seen some improvements in these areas? Sure, but given my attachment to the original GameCube controller, I’m similarly hesitant to introduce any sweeping changes from a purist perspective.
Lastly, the controller at least seriously impresses in the realm of battery life. I tested the GameCube controller for around 15 hours, and while I didn’t fully drain the tank, I ended up using about half, according to the Switch 2’s controller menu. With that in mind, I’d estimate the pad houses anywhere between 25-30 hours of battery life, a similarly impressive number to that of the Switch 2 Pro Controller.
Should I buy the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller?Buy it if...
You want that authentic GameCube experience
Switch Online’s GameCube library is set to grow each month. The controller is the best way to play these games in a faithful manner, and means you won’t have to fiddle around with the button layout on the Switch 2 Pro Controller or Joy-Con 2.
You want the full suite of official Switch 2 accessories
There’s already a decent handful of official Switch 2 accessories available to buy, including the Switch 2 Pro Controller and the Switch 2 Camera. The GameCube controller is another quality Switch 2-compatible product from Nintendo, and shouldn’t be missed if you’re after the lot.
Don't buy it if...
You’re not a GameCube enjoyer
Quite simply, if you’ve no interest in the Switch 2’s GameCube library, there’s little reason to own the controller. While its native Switch and Switch 2 game support is nice, it isn’t designed around them, thus its relatively awkward button layout could cause issues there.
Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller review: Also consider
The Switch 2 GameCube controller is a pretty specific piece of kit, made for a very specific set of games. Here are some alternatives in case you’re having second thoughts.
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 type | Wireless | Bluetooth, USB Type-C | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, USB Type-C |
Battery life | Around 25-30 hours | Around 40 hours | 10-15 hours |
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