Nintendo Switch Console Now Supports GameCube Controllers
Nintendo's software engineers brought their collective A-game when developing the 4.0 firmware upgrade for the company's Switch console, which introduced video capture support and the ability to transfer saved games and profiles from one Switch to another. In addition, it appears the latest update also brought support for GameCube controllers, though it does not appear anywhere in the release notes.
Though we would prefer that Nintendo clearly list all of the features that each firmware update brings to the table, being able to now use GameCube controllers with the Switch is a pleasant surprise. To take advantage of the feature, you will need the GameCube controller USB adapter that Nintendo released for use with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and of course a GameCube controller.
After plugging it all in, the GameCube controller will identified as a USB pad in the Switch's controller menu. That suggests that other USB controllers will be added to the mix at some point, though for the time being, it looks like the GameCube controller is the only one supported.
What is nice about the implementation on the Switch is that support is not limited to a single game. Once hooked up, you can use the GameCube controller with any title. There is a caveat, however—using a GameCube controllers means you will have to do without a ZL button and home button. For a game like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, that equates to not having access to your shield.
Here is a look at how it works, courtesy of GameXplain:
At the risk of reading too much into this, support for the GameCube controller could hint that Nintendo is prepping a GCN Virtual Console on the Switch. That would not be a bad idea, especially considering how much action Nintendo is seeing from its retro gaming efforts as of late. It is also worth noting that GameCube emulation was a rumored feature of the Switch prior to its launch, with Nintendo supposedly having tested working versions of Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, and Super Smash Bros. Melee.
THEY WORK! THESE ARE GAMECUBE CONTROLLERS #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/IUpiL9XvBm
— Master Mewking (@MasterMewking) October 23, 2017
What is nice about the implementation on the Switch is that support is not limited to a single game. Once hooked up, you can use the GameCube controller with any title. There is a caveat, however—using a GameCube controllers means you will have to do without a ZL button and home button. For a game like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, that equates to not having access to your shield.
Here is a look at how it works, courtesy of GameXplain:
At the risk of reading too much into this, support for the GameCube controller could hint that Nintendo is prepping a GCN Virtual Console on the Switch. That would not be a bad idea, especially considering how much action Nintendo is seeing from its retro gaming efforts as of late. It is also worth noting that GameCube emulation was a rumored feature of the Switch prior to its launch, with Nintendo supposedly having tested working versions of Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, and Super Smash Bros. Melee.
