The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 has undoubtedly generated buzz, but the company has kept many details about the console under wraps. As we wait for more revelations at the April 2 Nintendo Direct event, some intriguing leaks have surfaced, hinting at what might be in store. Recently, an FCC filing suggests Nintendo might be crafting a fresh version of the beloved GameCube controller for the Switch 2. Such a move could have significant repercussions for gamers everywhere.
The GameCube controller, even after nearly a quarter of a century, remains a fan favorite. Its enduring popularity is partly thanks to the Super Smash Bros. aficionados who swear by it. Nintendo has reintroduced this iconic controller for use with the Wii, Wii U, and the current Switch. While the latest FCC filing doesn’t outright confirm a new GameCube controller, the information it contains strongly implies that fans might see this classic accessory reborn.
One of the constant requests from the gaming community is for Nintendo Switch Online to incorporate GameCube titles, adding them to a roster that already features other classic Nintendo systems. The move to make GameCube games available coinciding with the Switch 2’s release could introduce a new wave of nostalgia and excitement. This would also be a clever way to address fans eager for remasters of classics like Zelda: Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, by giving access to their original versions.
A promising sign for GameCube era games making it to Nintendo Switch Online could be drawn from this FCC filing, which hints at wireless Bluetooth capabilities for the GameCube controller. Previously, these controllers were only available in a wired format, and no official Bluetooth version has been released. Given how other retro console controllers, like the NES and SNES, have been offered in Bluetooth versions for NSO subscribers, this could be Nintendo’s next step for the GameCube.
The GameCube controller’s lasting appeal within the Super Smash Bros. community cannot be overstated. Many enthusiasts consider it the perfect controller for Super Smash Bros. Melee. In the past, Nintendo has rolled out re-releases of this controller with an adapter for use with the Wii U and Switch, maintaining compatibility across their systems. The Switch 2 introducing a wireless GameCube controller could suggest a direction towards a new Smash game—or even pave the way for another adaptation, eliminating the need for an adapter altogether.
Talk of a new GameCube controller leads to speculation about a new Super Smash Bros. installment for the Switch 2. It’s been almost seven years since the 2018 release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Although an updated version of Ultimate might be an option, there’s also the exciting possibility that Nintendo could be developing an entirely new game for the franchise, leveraging the beloved GameCube controller’s appeal.
The last piece of downloadable content for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was released in 2021, and since then, there’s been no new major content for fans to sink their teeth into. This timeframe aligns with the anticipation around the Switch 2, suggesting that Nintendo might have something new on the horizon for Smash fans eager for fresh battles.
