Video: Nintendo Really Wants You To Buy The Wireless NES Controllers For Switch

Cut the price in half and then I'll chuck my money at them. £49.99 is crazy money.

No thanks, I barely play what's there now.

I really don't see the point to be honest. If you want the retro NES feel you are better off just buying an NES Classic. The NES controller really isn't anything special on it's own, just a rectangle with a d-pad and two buttons (four if you count start and select).

I’m good fam thanks

Come on Nintendo.

This is cool and all but I heard about this neat obscure thing called a “GameCube”, Nintendo, you should check it out.

Nope. Not worth the cost. The joycons’ d-pad does suck, but there are enough other good ways to play NES games. The NES Classic Edition, for one...

I'm -never- buying the online subscription in its current state(haven't even given the trial a shot), so they're going to have to do better than a pair of expensive controllers w/little purpose...

@scully1888 Yeah they should really just sell them one each for about $20 or so. Even if it was $30 for one I would be more likely to buy it than the two for $50. The novelty of having an NES controller just isn't that special or worthwhile and I really don't see myself playing multiplayer with them.

Well, I really couldn't care less what Nintendo REALLY wants, if they on multiple occasions don't seem to do or cater to what WE really want, or need from them. And why would anyone want to ugly up their Switch by attaching these WAY too expensive and 'only compatible with NES games' controllers, that can't be used on any other game that a buyer might want them to?

Enough with the NES games already, Nintendo. I've already bought your NES Classic AND the SNES Classic, so I don't need any more of your archaic games, not even with added online functionalities.

On with the show 'ya software dinosaurs, time to get with the program and to take a note out of Microsoft and Sony's book.
Start bringing us your entire N64 catalog, and get a move on with your GameCube and Wii library, stat.

How about noooooooooo.

Wireless drives up the cost. Not really sure what the appeal of wireless controllers is, but that’s why they’re so expensive.

No, release some SNES games and a virtual console for the Switch instead...

they can take these controllers and stick them where the sun don't shine

one of the dumbest ways to spend $60

Why would I want pads that have been made specifically for something I have no interest in? When there is a reason to buy SNES pads wake me up.

So this is one of their "Special offers."

If they worked on anything besides the NSO NES games, I'd at least consider them.

Edit: Apparently they do (to an extent) with some fiddling around.

Why? So we can play like 5 crappy games on NSO? Meh.

8-BitDo has these guys beat at their own game.

Not unless I can also use them with other platformers. It sounds like unofficially sometimes yes, but not reliably. I don't hate NES content, but I already have any NES game I want to play on systems with dpads.

I got 3 syllables for Nintendo: 8BitDo. Same thing but with the rest of the buttons and sticks! Lol. NES30 for anyone wanting to dunk off some cash on a new gizmo!

Apparently, you CAN use the controllers outside of the NES App from what I've read, though its a "try and see" as far as titles that will work with it (If it uses the analogue sticks, forget it.). You can even use the controllers while docked for a bizarre set up, but you will at least have an official D Pad. XD

If there were more NES games available right now, I’d consider splitting the cost and set with a friend. That wouldn’t be as bad. But since I can already play what is there with my Pro, I’m not biting.

@Blitzenexx Apparently they do, though its a "try and see" phase right now.

Oh boy, what a treat! Nothing says "old school" like paying for overpriced NES controllers to use to play NES games on a service you pay monthly!

Lets play outdated games with expensive outdated controllers 🙃

I bought a NES classic for a reason Nintendo...

I like them but not for the price.

@Angelic_Lapras_King: Really? I thought that I'd recalled reading that they wouldn't, but I can't remember if it was speculation or from a semi-official source.

Other than Dr. Mario I never play the NES games anyways. No thanks

The regular joy cons and the pro controller work just fine for me. I really don't want to spend the money on a controller that has that one specific purpose.

@Blitzenexx Yeah Kotaku got a pair and tested them out and they do somewhat work with other titles. You can even use the controllers while docked for a weird set up, but you at least have an official D Pad. XD

"Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aimé said they hadn't even made the full library of NES games available yet"

LOL are you kidding me? I'm sorry but the way this reads is really terrible. It's one thing for Reggie to make the statement, it's another entirely for someone to buy into it like it's a legitimate point of anything.

"Um, yeah, until we get all 714 NES games out for NSO, don't expect anything SNES. I mean, there's so much NES goodness still out there; why would anyone want to play SNES games?"

Like everyone else said, I wouldn't buy these without a significant price cut. And the ability to purchase them without NSO. I'm not paying for NSO just to have "the right" to pay Nintendo more money for something which doesn't seem worth that cost to begin with.

Limited use and overpriced. Hard pass for me and I'll stick with Joycons and 8bitdo stuff.

At least you can play bouncy Bob with them! 😅

Sorry Ninty but 8Bitdo already had me cover when it comes to classic controls. Maybe next time make this compatible with something more than just NES games.

It's a bit too pricey, and I've already got my original NES controller connected wirelessly to the Switch (thanks to the 8Bitdo mod kit).

Now put the actual good NES games and one might consider those. Without Mega Man, Kirby, Castlevania, SMB2 USA among many others, there’s really no point on wasting money in this. Just get yourself a real controller that’s compatible with everything.

I’m a hardcore Switch fan and I’d never consider buying these for a second.

@Angelic_Lapras_King: Fair enough. I still think I'd stick with a Pro Controller if I wanted a different control scheme though.

Just like the pokeball controller, the limited use of these makes them worthless to me.

These are nice but I think I would go for an 8Bitdo controller before these as those can actually be used with games other than the NES ones.

"The full library?"

He does know that the full library of NES games is 712 officially licensed games, right? Between officially licensed ones and unlicensed ones, it might even be over 800-1000.

Maybe if they sold the controllers for everyone and they weren’t essentially just nes controllers. I’m not spending that much money on two NES controllers

They're 80 bucks in Canada and I play almost exclusively in handheld mode. Not gonna happen.

@astrofan1993 And let's say they continue to add roughly 3 games each month, it will take them roughly 20 years to release the full library...
I have my doubts about that...

@Topic
It's a nice gimmick, i give 'em that. But at the end of the day, they're just NES controllers, limited in their usage by nature of having too few buttons.
And i doubt that the majority of switch owners love NES so much that they go out of their way to get overpriced matching controllers for them.
Not gonna happen Nintendo

Same price as NES classic and for that you don't need an online account, and it's a much more fun and interesting collectible (short cables, limited library, yes).

That said... I still kind of want these. I just wish they'd work with more games. Would be fun to play Shovel Knight with them, for instance. In fact, I think that would have put me over the edge.

Especially if I could buy just one.

Pushing the exclusiveness of them for online subscribers only and a high cost really adds up to an unappealing look, too. It highlights the problems with keeping the Switch NES games as a subscription. Makes them feel less like a bonus to a service and more like a way to make the service profitable for them.

The balance is just all off from my perspective and I'm pretty forgiving of this stuff usually.

The people at Nintendo really overestimate how good NES games are and how much people want to play them. It seems as though they are completely out of touch with their customers.

Just sucks ass that they're tied to online. They are cool, but just....bleh.

These would be a lot more tempting if they worked apart from the paid service.

Sure, I bit...but the slow-butt shipping means they still haven't arrived. I doubt they're "worth it" per se, but...I dunno, playing NES on the Pro controller felt off.

Old nes controllers are flat n painful n hurt your hand. I was so happy when controllers started to be made to fit the grooves of your hand n dont want to go back to muscle cramps

They’re cute, but ultimately not relevant when compared to all the other Nintendo product we have to choose from. ...I hope the didn’t make too many of these.

In 2016: "Why is Nintendo underestimating the demand for NES games?"

In 2018: "Why is Nintendo overestimating the demand for NES games?"

Make them compatible with other software(like Indies), sell them in stores like any other peripheral and add a USB-C charging port.

Pretty lame, Nintendo. anythingbutnes plz kthxbai

Maybe I'm just cursed with giant man hands, but I never liked the dinky control pads that came with the NES (and Sega Master System). I thought they were too small to be comfortable. I can't imagine playing a game with my ergonomically designed Switch Pro Controller with it's quality build and near perfect fit, and thinking, "I sure wish I could play this game with a miniature box and poorly positioned buttons!"

For those naysayers to use 8bit those don't connect wireless to the Switch and requires a dongle. So trying to compare something that can't do it without wireless direct connection is a sad day. I do think some like me bought them for collecting and some gameplay purpose.

The controllers look neat as a collector's item. I'm happy with my snes 8bitdo controller for retro games on switch.

I got mine in the mail last week. Do I regret buying them?...no I don't. Not at all. Why? Bucause I like to collect things. The limited offering of these makes them a little more unique and a nice piece to a collection.

Are they over priced yes...very. at almost the same price as a pair of joycon but with a mere fraction of the tech inside. It is a bit of a rip off. But they look cool hooked up to my switch.

Nintendo has released a lot of things that are next to useless for most games ( super scope, power glove, R.OB. countless Wii peripherals, etc.) Doesn't make them less fun to have.

I just wish they added a seperate home button off to the side. The L and R buttons may work for screen cap and home but only in the NES library. I got into hollow knight with it, could move my character around and all but couldn't exit the game. Had to connect a seperate controller to do that. I think these will work great for shovel knight though as the controls for the game were set as if it were actually on the NES.

@Blitzenexx Yeah, I do want them eventually but...yeah like everyone the price throws me off. Rather much go hunting for the Xenoblade 2 Pro Controller....

Drop the price and make them compatible with more games...

I can't even bring myself to play Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 that I JUST BOUGHT, and you expect me to play WRECKING CREW? Or LOLO? Seriously?! Bust out the SNES, N64, and GCN games already!

I’ll be honest, I actually play the NES games a lot.

... but I also prefer the dogbone controller.

@Triforce79 It's not like test driving a car where you -have- to get a feel for yourself with it to know what it's like; It's a waste of $20 and here' are some personal reasons why:

I hardly game online

The infrastructure still mostly sucks from what I've seen(just couldn't complain as much before because it was free...but to pay for that? No thanks); heck, just look at all the Smash complaints.

They killed Club Nintendo for the trash that is My Nintendo, so can't even trust the 'special offers'...these whack, expensive controllers aren't a good first impression. 🤔

AND A BIG ONE...

Idc about NES games on their own(that we keep getting over and over and over again, with nothing else until it's too late); not to mention this half-assed trickle is a big frickin' joke.

They had -more- than enough time to have something suitable as a replacement. Ya know...at least build on the previous library we had. This was their chance to surprise us after taking away the VC, and they do the opposite.

Need I go on?

I'm going to wait for the SNES controller, which will at least have more than the minimum number of buttons to play other games.

@DigDoug91 You don't need a dongle to connect an 8bitdo controller wirelessly to Switch. I am currently using the SN30 Pro on my Switch - no dongle needed.

I can just imagine how it's going to be in a few years when these things start showing up used at game stores.
People are going to walk away with two left/right controllers and be upset that they can't charge both of them at the same time.

I'll stick to playing NES games on my modded top loader thanks. Not paying for your online service ever. Did two rounds of Virtual Console (Wii/wiiU) and the releases just came too slowly to keep me interested. Back to ROMs, games, and original hardware thank you very much.

I just use the 8bitdo Gbros with a NES classic controller. Total cost $15 and you can use a Gamecube controller with the Gbros also. So it is Smash friendly. If you are just a 1 player totally worth it.

@Angelic_Lapras_King: I 100% agree!

They may be nostalgic, but why would I want a rerelease of one of the least ergonomic video game controllers ever designed?! That's not to mention that the lack of buttons means they can ONLY be used for the NES games available on the Switch's online service.

Just finished a few rounds of Warios Woods with my wife. We used a pro controller and a PowerA wired one. Worked just fine. I don’t see a need for these NES controllers. PS. She stomped me.

I use these when I play NES games . . . But they're really not necessary .... more of a collector's item

80 bucks in Canada. That’s some great “special offer”, Nintendo. Boooy do I feel special.

Yeah for like £10 ... I assume they would of been free when this online thing kicked in lol

Ninty you should have a huge library of games before thinking this would be as desirable to folks as you would like it to be. The slow release of games isn't good enough to entice buyers IMO....also the fact that you don't actually get to KEEP the games like you could with the virtual console means the controllers in the end will be useless when the switch is discontinued from the online service...which makes these controllers DISPOSABLE! That's not cool at all, simply not good enough.

Ninty, this is unacceptable. You should NEVER have ended the virtual console.

The quality and cool factor is there...but in the end you're making a disposable product with planned obsolescence. This controller will have no use in 6 or 7 years....might as well call it garbage now, because that's what it will end up being when the switch eventually is cut off from online service. These are made for a landfill.

For that amount, I’d just get another Pro Controller. I comfortably play most of my Switch library with my Splatoon 2 one. I rarely use my joycons unless I have a guest or I’m playing on the go. Even then, they aren’t a problem. Beat Fatal Fury Special in my friend’s car with the joycons. So... safe to say... probably ain’t gonna need those coasters. Because that’s what they’ll be when the NES service inevitably ends (probably not for a long time and for whatever reason.)

I use the one I got with my NES Classic, together with an 8bitdo adapter, instead. I would pay good for that dpad on a joycon though.

@scully1888 if it came with a years’ sub to the NSO service it might be worth it. Also if SEGA ever released a Master System collection they would be well worth it.

.....because the Master System was a better console than the NES! /90sPlayground 😉

@scully1888 I didn’t know you hung around here, Chris.

Switch eventual cutoff from online service + not keeping games like VC = These controllers will be USELESS in 6/7 years and will go directly to a landfill. I'm NOT an extreme environmentalist, but making something(expensive, full of electronic parts) that you know will end up in a trashcan(no reason to keep it if it will be USELESS) in 6-7 years is unethical IMO....and not very Nintendo-like.

Thanks, but no thanks.
Give me Snes games, I'll gladly play them with my Pro Controller I already paid a premium price for.

Maybe I'll consider it if you actually make VC a thing again.

These are lovely , Quality controllers! Love them!

I am quite happy with my 8BitDo F30, thanks. Works like a charm on both Switch and PC. I still rarely use it, but I would use the official NES controllers even less.

That's a big fat nah from me.

I mean, all things considered. If they don't function for the regular games, and won't have enough buttons for the eventual SNES games, then I'm losing sight of the point.

Had they put an IR blaster in one of them, and coded in a universal remote that could be adjusted from the Switch, then maybe. That's the key functionality from the Wii U gamepad that I really miss about the Switch.

The quintessetial solution without a problem.

@Lalivero Keep up the good work. Money talks and until the sheeple stop pouring money into a crummy service Nintendo will get away with bare bones.

I was all up for it when first announced, then just lost interest as I have hardly played the NES games at all.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind owning a set of these, but not at that cost. They're not much cheaper than a joy-con set but with far less functionality, and that cost on top of already paying for a sub-par online subscription that I only really have so that I can play Splatoon 2 just doesn't seem worth it to me.

@Triforce79 That trick of posting/deleting a message only works if the person that it is intended for, has activated the option to get notifications also sent to their private e-mail address/the e-mail address tied to this NLife account.

If that option is not activated, they won't be able to see or receive the deleted message, because they will then only get on-site notifications, which, in the case of a deleted message, would result in sending them to a non-existent post.

Hope that helps.

Oh Nintendo, nobody wants your junk. A SNES pad that works with non-VC stuff as well? Then we’ll talk.

So Nintendo is shutting down all those ROM sites because Nintendo Switch Online is the best way to play?

There just aren't that MANY good NES games to warrant this purchase. Not yet, anyway.

For what is being asked for this controllers with limited functionality outside of the NES games, no thanks. The Switch Joycons handle everything but with the bonus of working with no issues in most other games outside of the Switch online service.

The controllers are lovely, but considering you could probably get a NES Classic for the same money, it's ludicrous. Like @scully1888 said, half the price and I'd snap these up in a heartbeat.

I'd buy these....if they were compatible with Wii U...

"Buy our 60€ controllers which only work for a bunch of thirty year old games, after getting the privilege to do so by purchasing our online service. We're practically giving 'em away."

This cow has been milked dry Nintendo, move on, it's embarrassing.

Nintendo is run by geniuses. Maybe if those controllers you know.... were not limited just NES online games, I would have actually bought those?

Can we also get rid of Reggie Fils-Aimé? That guy's best idea nowadays is recycling content and dressing it up as new.We already played those games 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 times already.

OMG ANOTHER RE-RELEASE OF SUPER MARIO BROS LETS BUY ANOTHER CONSOLE.

1) I can perfectly use my Joycon Controllers with the Nintendo Online offer
2) I can't use those NES controllers with Nintendo Switch games
3) ???
4) No Profit

These things are ridiculously expensive and they can only play these games? Where is the value!?!?

in the future when the online library isn't available you'll have $60 controllers that don't work on anything.

This should be part of the loyalty reward. Anyone know what they actually are?

I was gonna get this but the price as well as the shipping put me off. Would of looked nice on a shelf to collect dust

Too bad they don't sell them in Brazil, I'd buy them in the blink of an eye.

@Medic_alert It is not great for collectors as when the online for the nes games goes these controllers are also useless. The point for collectors is to be able to use them well after a consoles lifespan.

NES controllers were never nice to use.

I might grab these soon. I'll probobly buy them somewhere else.

So, how useful are those controllers going to be once you no longer have access to rented games?

@mikegamer monthly? You mean yearly? But yeah, those controllers are way overpriced for what they are.

I can't justify paying 50 bucks for controllers that only works with one app. Even if they had 100 NES games on there (which they don't) I'm still not hyped enough that I need a special controller for it. The joycon side-ways works fine if I need a retro-feeling.

Let's be honest as classic as the NES controller is it's not as comfortable with it's sharper designs, however I still have my classic if I want to play NES games and it has the controller with it. If I eventually wanted to use another controller i don't know if i'd even use the NES one lol.

I would love to! But they are expensive!

@Triforce79 What was the edit about? I feel like I'm missing something, heh... :3

@Gzeus88 Trust me, I will. When did it launch again? This subscription mess can diaf, tbh. >:l

Overpriced, but I agree that the NES games will likely play better with them. Trying to use the joycon stick results in a lot of "misses" when trying to move, which in turn results in getting hit, missing, not moving, or similar when trying to play a game.

I'll probably hold out for a cheaper 3rd party option.

I'll stick with my 8BitDo SNES style controller which had analogue sticks and motion controls. It's an amazing controller.

I do wonder how well these NES controllers will sell though.

No thanks. Wireless controllers means that I hafta buy batteries for them. I'm a little tired of that. Besides, someone told me I can use the snes and nes classic controllers on the Switch.

So... about NES games January 2019 and beyond.....?

@Orangechrome You know what I mean, paying for a service on top of overpriced controllers. Pass.

@_dangleman Extension cables. Then you can sit at a comfortable distance but don’t have to worry about battery length.

They priced themselves out of the market. Its a gimmick nothing more and you can only get them when paying for online its kind of insulting. Oh not to mention that you cant charge them properly like you can with joycons.

@Triforce79 You're welcome.

Unless they allow controller re-mapping, I suppose there is no better way to play.

Has anyone tried pairing them with a Mac or PC? Some of the newer OSs recognize the Switch Pro Controller.

I have been thoroughly enjoying my controllers. They feel great, and it's nice to have a proper D-pad to play these games.

I guess I am one of the few people left (judging on this site) that still respect and find the NES enjoyable, so I am an outlier. "Adventures of Lolo" is one of my favorite NES titles and it's been great playing it on the go. I understand why the cost of these may seem too much to people. Having not bought a NES classic however, these have scratched an itch for me.

I think the lack of an announcement about what is coming to the service in January (and beyond) says a lot. I think that rumors of an e-shop update, along with vague 2019 release dates is pointing towards an early-January Nintendo direct. I think we are going to get a massive upgrade to this service this year, with more NES and SNES titles than anticipated. (Those who took Reggie's words about "not all the NES games" literally were trolled pretty hilariously. He and everyone else knows not every single NES game is in scope for this)

I think Nintendo's strategy has been smart. Hold back the retro IPs and let the Switch exclusives and indie scene flourish, and as the generation moves forward and more competition emerges, play the VC card and start introducing the retro IP back into the mix. The question is, will everyone be happy when they get the oft-requested N64 and GameCube games or just complain when they start seeing the price tags?

Yeah.. no. Those were probably planned well in advance, so it's difficult to blame Nintendo, but I think they would've done so much better with a NES-themed Joy-Con with a d-pad, like we saw in the fan art after the Switch announcement. Those and concepts of other Joy-Con-like peripherals made me really excited. These do not.

The lacklustre line up of games and a high price don't help as well.

Speaking of exclusive contend for Switch Online members, I think everyone would agree rewards like Nintendo Club used to have would be awesome. I mean, even if we had to buy them with coins as well, it would feel really exclusive and membership-like. Not this single not very exciting offer.

I still didn't launch the nes library app once, I really don't want to play nes games I have my nes classic for that (but mostly for my collection) If they put snes games that will be interesting.

When they release a decent library of games, I'll consider - and they drop the price. So far I've avoided the online altogether and will stick to the NES Mini for NES stuff.

Problem is if you don't buy a online service you can't buy these. Unless your going to buy from Scalpers.