The Nintendo Switch Online GameCube Controller Supports Gyro Controls

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Now that the Nintendo Switch 2 and its initial wave of accessories have made it into fans’ hands, players have been surprised to discover that Nintendo’s GameCube controller for the Switch 2 supports gyro controls.

The new controller, available exclusively through Nintendo Switch Online and at select physical Nintendo stores, looks almost exactly like an original GameCube controller but features some key upgrades. The original c-stick doubles as the Switch 2’s new C-button, which will open GameChat, and the internals have been re-arranged for a more responsive d-pad, according to a parts breakdown on Reddit.

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The most surprising new addition is the gyroscope, which wasn’t mentioned by Nintendo in the lead-up to the Switch 2’s release. Surprised fans instead discovered the added functionality themselves upon unboxing the new controller–such as Japanese Splatoon content creator Sashibu, who posted to X about the new option to play Splatoon with a GameCube controller.

Gyroscopic controls were first introduced to mainstream gaming with the Wii MotionPlus in 2009, and have remained in use by Nintendo in each of their consoles since. A decent number of Switch titles make use of gyroscopic controls for aiming (the Wii and Wii U both made us of a sensor bar), while some also use them in more novel ways.

When the GameCube controller for the Switch 2 was first announced, Nintendo warned that it was only compatible with GameCube titles in the Nintendo Switch Online Classics library. The company later clarified that it could be used with any game on the Switch 2, but that issues may arise due to lacking features or buttons found on other controllers. The addition of gyro controls and the C-Button seems to contradict the idea that the controller is designed exclusively for GameCube titles (none of which support gyro input) but consider yourself warned.

The GameCube controller is available to order only for Nintendo Switch Online members, with a limit of one per person. The controller can also be bought in person at select Nintendo stores.

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