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Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller Support Comes with Limitations

By / Tech / April 11, 2025

Nintendo’s new GameCube controller for Switch 2 works only with GameCube Classics. Great for retro fans but limited in use.

Switch 2 GameCube Controller Support Confirmed with a Catch
Switch 2 GameCube Controller Support Confirmed with a Catch (Image via Nintendo)

Nintendo has announced that a new GameCube controller will launch alongside the Switch 2 in June, but there’s a big catch: This controller will only work with Nintendo’s upcoming GameCube Classics lineup. For fans who grew up with the GameCube or still prefer its iconic layout, especially Smash Bros. diehards, this announcement might come as both exciting and frustrating.

Yes, the GameCube controller is back. But no, it won’t be a general-purpose option for Switch 2 gaming. Unlike Nintendo’s NES or SNES controllers, which offer some flexibility beyond their original game libraries, this one is locked to a specific list of titles. So, if you were hoping to use it as a full-time controller for modern games, you’ll probably want to hold off on those expectations.

Why People Still Care About the GameCube Controller

What makes the GameCube controller so exciting
What makes the GameCube controller so exciting (Image via Nintendo)

Even more than twenty years after it was first launched, the GameCube controller still has a dedicated fanbase. Its distinctive layout, analog triggers, and overall feel have kept it thriving over the years. 

With the Switch 2, Nintendo has introduced a new wireless GameCube controller, listed for £58.99 on the UK Nintendo store. This revised edition stays true to the original design but adds a few modern touches, like wireless connectivity and a “C” button for live chat. The catch? It’s not meant to work across the console’s full library. According to Nintendo’s own fine print, this controller is exclusively compatible with titles in the GameCube Classics collection available through the Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.

What You Can and Can’t Do with the GameCube Controller on Switch 2

All Switch 2 Controllers listed on Nintendo's Store
All Switch 2 Controllers listed on Nintendo’s Store (Image via Nintendo)

The new GameCube controller launching with the Switch 2 is built for one purpose: playing GameCube Classics. Nintendo has confirmed it will only work with titles from that retro collection, available through the Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.

So, while the controller might technically have the inputs needed for broader gameplay, it won’t work outside of the designated GameCube titles. This is the major difference between the Game Cube controller and the other retro-style controllers Nintendo has released, such as the NES, SNES, and Genesis pads, which can be used in a variety of Switch titles beyond their intended classics.

Key Restrictions with the GameCube Controller on Switch 2:

  • Game Compatibility is Locked
    Nintendo has restricted the GameCube controller to work only with GameCube games in the Nintendo Classics lineup. The launch titles will include Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and Soulcalibur 2, with more games to follow.
  • Requires a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Subscription
     Access to the GameCube controller and the entire GameCube game library requires an active subscription. No sub, no controller purchase.
  • No Use in Modern Switch 2 Games
     Despite its input versatility, the GameCube controller won’t be usable in newer first-party or third-party Switch 2 titles. Nintendo has locked its functionality to the classic library.
  • Preorder Access Tied to Membership
    Nintendo required players to have a Switch Online membership to pre-order the controller before delaying preorders altogether.

It’s great to see Nintendo showing love to the GameCube era, but this controller isn’t trying to be anything more than a nostalgia piece. If you’re excited to replay F-Zero GX or Wind Waker the way you remember, it’s a solid pickup. Just don’t expect it to replace your go-to controller for everything else. This one is for the classics, and Nintendo’s being pretty clear about keeping it that way.

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