When Nintendo first revealed the wireless NES controller for Switch, details were limited. Now that the first shipment has arrived, new information about the retro-themed pads is beginning to surface.
Kotaku's Chris Kohler explains how the L and R buttons on the wireless controller function:
"The L button will serve as your photo capture button, and the R button will bring you back to the Home menu. In-game, you’ll be able to get back to this menu using L and R... Note that these button reassignments for L and R are done at the software level within the NES app."
That's not all, though. When a controller is wirelessly connected, the sound in the NES app changes:
"There’s another bonus feature that you won’t see... because it’s audio: The system sounds for this menu change to 8-bit NES sounds when you have the NES controllers plugged in."
The wireless NES controllers can also be used while attached to the system and you can even mix and match with a Joy-Con. Take a look at the screenshots below, courtesy of Kotaku:
Like Kotaku, The Verge put the new NES controller to the test. In terms of game compatibility, it appears to be hit-and-miss. Verge games editor Andrew Webster said the main problem was the lack of buttons:
"Pretty much all modern games require more than the two face buttons available on an NES controller. Out of curiosity, I tried a bunch of different games, and the results weren’t pretty. I was able to load Fortnite, but none of the available buttons let me actually get into a match. And while I could technically play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, I wasn’t able to jump, which is a pretty big handicap. In Dead Cells I could jump and roll, but not attack."
The only modern game he was able to play during his test was the two-button fighter Pocket Rumble and he managed to have some success with Capcom's classic Mega Man 2 within the Legacy Collection after some button remapping. Kotaku said it was also able to get the controller working with Sega AGES Phantasy Star. These tests apparently illustrate how much less flexible this first-party controller is compared to certain third-party offerings.
Has any of this information convinced you to purchase the wireless NES controller two-pack? Tell us below.
[source kotaku.com, via theverge.com]
Comments 50
@ReaderRagfish That's what I thought as well. Still not worth it for me, as it doesn't really work with much else anyway.
I kind of want them just for the absurdity of playing games with both controllers attached to the sides, but I’m not paying that much for absurdity, as much as I love it.
This does help the controllers' case, but for the price I'd much rather grab a different set with more usability.
@Triforce79 What do you mean? They’re simply reporting on other publications’ testing of a new, Nintendo-related product. If anything, this is the kind of stuff they should be reporting on.
Why do the NES games need to have on screen button prompts at all times? I'm pretty sure anyone playing NES games know what the start button is.
@Triforce79 😃👍
I suppose if/when SNES games come to the Switch, Nintendo will release SNES controllers. They will be compatible with many more Switch games due to the extra buttons.
So could I just put one on the left and use it as a d-pad for games like Street Fighter?
If so this could actually be useful.
Would be great if 3rd parties/indies worked on patches to fully embrace the NES controller. Playing the 8 bit Mega Mans, SEGA Ages, Shantae and so on with it? That be kinda neat in a "NES child you will be happy" kind of way.
@Other-Brother Bring on the "Beat BOTW with a NES and SNES Controller combo" challenges! XD
@BensonUii I do indeed. I am sure you could get them on Ebay. But they probably wont be cheap.
Dumb. I'll use the joy cons if need be, but a pro controller is my starter. and closer.
I wish they would have made joycons with NES style dpad and buttons too.
I’d like to see a full list of the ‘quality games’ this works with, as well as battery life etc
0/10; I can't win EVO with them
In other news, a square block partially fits through a triangular hole.
Come on, it's bloody obvious for contemporary games the controller is not fit for purpose. It's marketed for the NES online. Are folk so dense (or desperate for articles?)
Good for the collectors.
No interest in it.
Is a neat idea, but with super limited functions and that price point, it really isn't worth it
Using GameCube controllers with the adapter for other Switch games is the better option
@GrailUK Like others in this comment section I am surprised to hear that they work with other games at all.
I was sure that Nintendo said the controllers would only work with the NES app.
@GrailUK No, but I was surprised that you apparently cannot jump in Smash Bros, even though there is no logical reason for it.
@countzero Ow. Weird. Does up not work?
@GrailUK Quote from Andrew Webster (The Verge) from this article:
"And while I could technically play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, I wasn’t able to jump, which is a pretty big handicap."
Maybe he doesn't know that you can jump with Up ?
No idea Anyways hope I didn't sound snarky by the way. (I deleted a comment because it could come across as snide lol)
Did the guy from the Verge not try pressing Up when playing Smash? I’d be more concerned about awkward shoulder buttons gimping the grab/block controls
As it is I wouldn’t buy these even if I was an Online subscriber. Funny thing is them being compatible with those games that only need 4 buttons would make them much more attractive but Nintendo seem to have restricted that.
Another odd decision from the Big N. Though changing he menu sounds when you use the pad is exactly the kind of nice touch typical of them.
They’re really not that expensive per controller. Especially since they’re official first party wireless versions of a classic controller made by the original manufacturer.
The problem is really that the few button design itself offers low compatibility with modern games.
So the value for the general consumer is lower because of that.
And the fact they only come in a set of two while most uses only require one makes them seem even more expensive.
It’s really just a mismatch between perceived value and actual value.
I bought a washing machine but when I put bread in it, it doesn’t come out like toast! It’s like it’s not designed to do that! I’m angry.
Does the review actually play test them for what they’re designed? How is the d pad for example?
All I want is a working d pad on pro controller!🤬
Shipping is really expensive too. Puts me off although I just wanted it for collecting dust.
Do they work in handheld mode (connected l & r) ?
@JayJ
According to one use comment on The Verge it's possible to combine these NES controllers with Joycons in handheld mode, so yes, it looks like we can use a NES controller on the left (for the d-pad) with a Joycon on the right (for more buttons).
SNES games by march then next year? I mean if they are plugging these controllers and they are not stocking the SNES mini after Xmas, all signs point to SNES games coming soonish! March seems about reasonable....
I have zero interest in these controllers but I wonder if overcooked was tried on them? I think you only use 2 buttons and directions.
8bitdoes what nintendont. Simple. 8bitdo are the way to go!
The $60 price tag is criminal, considering the massively limited functionality of these things. And when the service goes down someday in the future, they’ll literally be worthless.
@Mamabear Overcooked uses all four face buttons.
@thesilverbrick It’s been awhile since I’ve played it but I thought they were just repetitive. Definitely doesn’t justify the price tag to only play the NES service.
Oof. I still might get these though.
They are only useful for the classic games and nothing more. Not worth my money ppl
When it was first announced, Nintendo said the controllers wouldn't even work with other games. Maybe I'll get them now
These are going to be like the gamecube component cables. Not available in stores, only online, and not many people will be convinced to buy them. Few will be sold and later on they will be very rare and expensive.
Still not worth getting though. Like I said these controllers are tie to the Nintendo Switch Online service for NES games and for use only with those NES games. During an online outages or Nintendo maintenance you won't be able to use them at all so not worth getting. 8Bitdo and Retro-Bits are still the way to go.
I originally wanted these but I went with the Smash edition of the Pro instead.
Ultimately, I couldn't justify the purchase even thought they look cool.
Still a total ripoff...
I'll be happy if mine ever arrive...the tracking still says it's expected this past Saturday :- Also, would be nice if Nintendo updated the NES app so that we can hide the button prompts and borders and get a full-height 4:3 image on the Switch instead. (Also would it be too much to ask that I remap L to rewind instead of screenshot?)
So, originally I read that the NES controllers wouldn't be usable at all with Switch games, so what gives? Still can't justify the price for myself. A gift to me? Sure. I win them? Sure. They drop in price? Possibly. But I'm not getting them any time soon.
@EmirParkreiner If that is confirmed to work I am probably going to buy one.
Man... I thought they would only work on the NES online games, too. These could be pretty handy for simpler games like the Arcade Archives stuff where I'd rather have a functional d-pad than a thumb stick — Vs. Super Mario Bros, Sky Skipper, etc.
I'm sure there must be other games that they work with. Maybe some of the Johnny Turbo and Arcade Archive games might work.
Tbh, i'm not fond of the idea that these NES controllers could be useless when Nintendo ends the online service and the NES games are no longer available to play.
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