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  1. Hardware

Nintendo corrects itself, says the Switch 2 GameCube controller will work with games outside the Online Classics library but "there may be some issues"

News
By Catherine Lewis published 23 April 2025

It won't have "all the buttons and features found in other controllers"

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Hand holding the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller
(Image credit: Future)
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Nintendo has cleared up some confusion surrounding its upcoming Switch 2 GameCube controller, which apparently will be compatible with non-GameCube games after all, although "there may be some issues" if you choose to use it this way.

The Switch 2 GameCube controller was announced during the flurry of Nintendo Switch 2 news earlier this month, as an optional controller to use with the upcoming classic GameCube titles being added to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. However, fans were quick to spot a line of fine print in the controller's trailer that made the deal seem a little less sweet.

"The controller is only compatible with Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics," it reads, seemingly confirming that its overall use would be very limited. However, in a statement sent to Nintendo Life, it now appears that this isn't quite the case.

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Asked if the controller will work on games outside of the GameCube Classics, Nintendo notes that it's "designed for use" with those in particular, but adds: "Since it doesn't have all the buttons and features found in other controllers that can be used with the Nintendo Switch 2 system, there may be some issues when playing other games."

That sounds like it'll be in the same situation as the other Classic controllers, like the Switch SNES one.

GameCube games are only coming to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on Switch 2, but despite the controller apparently having greater functionality beyond these retro titles, it "can only be used on Nintendo Switch 2 and is not compatible with Nintendo Switch."

Therefore, anyone who wants to use a GameCube controller on the OG Switch will have to continue to use an adapter to connect them.

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Be sure to check out our roundup of upcoming Switch 2 games to see what's headed to Nintendo's new console.

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Catherine Lewis
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Deputy News Editor

I'm GamesRadar+'s Deputy News Editor, working alongside the rest of the news team to deliver cool gaming stories that we love. After spending more hours than I can count filling The University of Sheffield's student newspaper with Pokemon and indie game content, and picking up a degree in Journalism Studies, I started my career at GAMINGbible where I worked as a journalist for over a year and a half. I then became TechRadar Gaming's news writer, where I sourced stories and wrote about all sorts of intriguing topics. In my spare time, you're sure to find me on my Nintendo Switch or PS5 playing through story-driven RPGs like Xenoblade Chronicles and Persona 5 Royal, nuzlocking old Pokemon games, or going for a Victory Royale in Fortnite.

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