Nintendo is set to launch its next-generation console, the Switch 2, on June 5th, and alongside it comes a familiar yet updated accessory: the wireless GameCube controller. Priced at $64.99, this controller taps directly into player nostalgia while presenting a strategic technical play for Nintendo's new ecosystem.

Pre-orders for the controller began on May 13, 2025, accessible to those with a Nintendo Switch Online paid subscription. This followed an earlier priority window from May 8th to 12th exclusively for users who received official invitations to purchase the Switch 2 console. To manage what is anticipated to be high demand, Nintendo has implemented a strict limit of one controller per Nintendo Account. This limitation appears to be effective in keeping the controller in stock, at least initially, although prospective buyers should be prepared for a potential 30-minute or longer wait time in a virtual waiting room.

In terms of design, the new wireless controller retains the classic, beloved shape of the original GameCube controller. However, it incorporates modern updates essential for the Switch 2 era. Notably, it features USB-C charging, bringing it in line with contemporary standards. It also includes the distinctive C button, which is specifically utilized for GameChat features on the Switch 2. Nintendo has confirmed that GameChat will be available free of charge for all Switch 2 owners until March 31st, 2026.

The technical compatibility of this controller reveals Nintendo's focused strategy. It is designed for exclusive use with the Nintendo Switch 2. While the original Switch could use GameCube controllers via adapters, this new wireless version has significantly more limited game support on the Switch 2. Crucially, it will not be compatible with Switch backwards compatible titles running on Switch 2, such as the popular Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, or at least support for such titles is currently unconfirmed. Instead, its primary, and seemingly exclusive, function is for playing the GameCube games being added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. Launch titles for this service include classics like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur II, and F-Zero GX. Nintendo itself points out that the controller lacks the full array of buttons and features found on other Switch 2 controllers, which may render it incompatible with certain games.

This strategic limitation suggests Nintendo is positioning the wireless GameCube controller as a premium, niche accessory primarily aimed at driving subscriptions to the higher-tier Expansion Pack service. By tying the controller's utility directly to GameCube titles on the service, Nintendo encourages players seeking the authentic experience of these classic games to subscribe. For the target audience – likely long-time Nintendo fans aged 20-50 with disposable income [Source Requirement] – this accessory offers a nostalgic gateway back into beloved titles, assuming they are willing to invest in both the hardware and the subscription. The $64.99 price point reflects its status as a specialized, official peripheral.

In conclusion, the wireless GameCube controller for Switch 2 is more than just a blast from the past; it's a carefully positioned accessory. Its limited compatibility, tied directly to the Switch Online Expansion Pack's GameCube library, highlights Nintendo's strategy to leverage nostalgia to promote its subscription services on the new console. For fans eager to replay classics like Wind Waker or Soulcalibur II with an authentic feel, this controller, despite its limitations for other Switch 2 titles, represents a key piece of the early Switch 2 experience.

（Writer：Weink）