Nintendo GameCube Controller and Nintendo Switch Online

The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 is going to bring new experiences to the table like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, but it’s bringing a nice dose of old games and nostalgia as well. Alongside the release of the Switch 2, Nintendo has also launched GameCube games onto Nintendo Switch Online. Only available on the Nintendo Switch 2, the GameCube game offerings are pretty light right now, but there is a lot to get excited about.

Right now, the trio of games on offer here – The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcaliber 2, and F-Zero GX – are all we can enjoy, but Nintendo has teased a number of other releases in the upcoming months and years. For most fans, they will be waiting at home wondering when Super Mario Sunshine will release, or perhaps if Pokemon Colosseum will get a reawakening on this service.  These are great titles, and while many are probably more excited about what is to come as opposed to what is already here, there is little reason to not be excited about this new addition to Nintendo Switch Online.

Whether it’s a compatibility issue or not, Nintendo is limiting GameCube access to the Nintendo Switch 2, so sorry original Nintendo Switch owners, you are out of luck. I’ve seen a ton of discourse around this topic specifically, with some saying the Nintendo Switch just couldn’t handle GameCube games, while others say it is a ploy by Nintendo to move Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. Frankly, either could be true and I wouldn’t have an issue with it – this is a new feature alongside a new console. I don’t see the problem with making it exclusive!

I’ve been playing a ton of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch Online, and while after a few hours I wished I was playing the upgraded Wii U version of the game, I’m still excited to have The Wind Waker on the go. And that is regardless of what version I am playing. Using the GameCube controller specifically to play this title brings back a lot of memories, one of which I’ll discuss below.

I purchased a Nintendo GameCube with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Ocarina of Time: Master Quest. I purchased it right before going camping (glamping) and took it along. I didn’t realize I needed a memory card to save my game progress, so my friend and I beat the game over a week long vacation by NOT turning off the console. Those were the days…

Nintendo of Canada sent over a Nintendo GameCube controller for us to use. They have released similar controllers for past NSO launches, but I’ve never actually splurged to pick one up. I like this GameCube controller so much I’m picking up a second controller so I can have two on hand. This controller functions beautifully – it is not a 1-for-1 remake of the original as they had to put buttons on the controller to make it usable on the Nintendo Switch 2 (Home button, Capture button, C button for GameChat, ZL button, etc).

There has been some confusion online about whether or not this GameCube controller would work with non-GameCube games on the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo has since clarified this confusion to multiple different outlets noting that it will work, although there could be complications because of the button combinations on the GameCube controller compared to that of a Pro Controller or Joy-Con. This makes logical sense to me, so it’s not something I’m overly worried about. Ultimately, I’m likely only ever going to use the GameCube controller with Nintendo Switch Online!

The build quality here is fantastic, and while I don’t have an original GameCube controller to compare it to, seeing as Nintendo manufactured the original and this relaunch, they have to be pretty similar. What I can say is that it feels like what I remember. I have used the PowerA GameCube controllers on the Nintendo Switch, and those were pretty good, but I could feel the difference. This one feels like pure nostalgia, and in my opinion, is a must own for anyone looking to play a decent amount of Nintendo GameCube via Nintendo Switch Online!