With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the way, Nintendo GameCube controllers will be compatible with the Nintendo Switch, letting players fight against one another using the classic control scheme.
During Nintendo’s E3 2018 Nintendo Direct, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was covered at length, and Nintendo also revealed GameCube controllers will be compatible with the game. No other details were announced about using GameCube controllers, although it seems likely that players will be able to buy new renditions for the Nintendo Switch in the future. During the Nintendo Direct, Nintendo showed off a new GameCube controller with the Super Smash Bros. logo on display.
The Nintendo GameCube controller grew to enormous levels of popularity thanks to Super Smash Bros. Melee, the series’ debut on the GameCube. Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U subsequently supported GameCube controllers, letting players compete against one another using their preferred control scheme.
While GameCube support for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was never officially announced until today, fans have long speculated that the Switch Smash Bros. release would be compatible with the controller. The Nintendo Switch’s firmware 4.0.0 update from last October introduced GameCube compatibility through the Wii U’s controller adapter. Using the USB adapter, the Nintendo Switch can recognize GameCube controllers and use them in Switch games.
While most Switch games aren’t built for compatibility with the controller, Smash fans should rest easy knowing that their old controllers should be usable with the Nintendo Switch once Super Smash Bros. Ultimate releases.
Nintendo has not yet released any additional information about a Switch GameCube adapter, but in the meantime, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate launches on Dec. 7, 2018. Expect more information by then.
