You Can Now Play Steam Games Using Your Retro Switch Controllers

Nice, for the few dozen people that were able to obtain an N64 Retro controller since launch.

I managed to snag one two weeks ago. I won’t use it for this. Just wanted to show off that I got one. An exclusive club indeed

Got NES and SNES, but I honestly think it's easier to get a new non-scalped PS5 than an official N64 Switch controller these days.

I'm already drowning in a sea of Joy-Con and three Pro Controllers that I seldom use (and I'll probably buy the Splatoon 3 one too because I'm an idiot like that ), and while these retro controllers were really tempting for the sheer adorable novelty of it all, I just can't justify it for such limited compatibility and the fact that they're tied to games that I'll never own because Nintendo refuses to sell them to us outright (which may very well render these controllers virtually useless one day).

Still waiting for delivery of my N64 controllers as I got two on the last UK release.
But I can't check the delivery status as the UK store website is STILL down.
And last time I checked it was ready to be shipped on the 12 July

Oh man I wanted a Mega Drive one but they made the 6-button version. I ended up getting the retrobit one that has an adapter for the OG Mega Drive but it needs a USB adapter to connect to the PC.

Meh, 90% of PC games play better with a modern controller. Even the classic rereleases have features that can only be accessed with buttons not on the original controllers, like savestates and speed modulation on the Genesis games. There's better options for more traditional control methods out already.

I still need to get 4 of those N64 controllers. They sell out so fast everytime they restock. The grey color is fine, but I wish Nintendo had a variety of controller colors to choose from, like the N64 days. I probably wouldn't even use them anyway, like I don't with the Snes controllers sitting on my shelf.
But I'm a controller junkie, so I can't help it 😂

@Bunkerneath I got one in that batch and it arrived within 2 days. Might be worth sending an email.

@Silly_G I don’t disagree with all of your general points but the NES and SNES controllers do work with many many games on the switch. Obviously depends on what buttons a game requires

@Stocksy : Fair enough, but I suppose that some amount of trial and error will be involved (though I suppose that button mapping could help tremendously as well).

I wish they added this sooner, because setting up my NES controller to play Final Fantasy HD Pixel Remaster was a pain in the butt!

@Stocksy It normally takes a bit longer to get to me in Guernsey so gave them a bit of time, but have been emailing them back and forth for the last few days, god they are useless.

I'm considering buying one of the cheap aftermarket Amazon controllers to play N64 games with. A normal controller just doesn't work for them. Does anyone have any experience with stuff like that?

First thing I’m playing is shadows of the empire. I have and beat the original cart semi-recently but those upscaled graphics are gonna be niiiiiice.

Hahahaha No. XD that n64 joystick made my thumb tired as a kid.

If I manage to get one, I'd play Shadows of the Empire the way it was meant to be played.

I've been playing Sega Genesis Collection via Steam for over a month already with the NSO Genesis controller, though.

Rogue Squadron and Shadow of the Empire with N64 Controller!!! Mega Drive Classics and Sonic 2D games with 6B japonese Mega Drive controller! Plenty of Mega Man games, Secret of Mana, FFs and Chrono with SNES controller! Now I'm in my retro heaven!

@Edu23XWiiU exacly. Rogue Squadron too

Very interesting! I'll bet they did this primarily to improve emulation on Steam Deck, as on Windows it's already pretty easy to get the Switch Online controllers working as regular controllers with BetterJoy. Having a plug-and-play solution on Deck will make these a lot easier to use on there, especially with the emulators available through Steam.

Now, if only Nintendo would actually sell these controllers but that's just crazy talk.

@DrewBA77

Absolutly, the Benefit of modern Controllers, as from 8Bitdo, Retrobit or Brawlers (forgot the Name), you can use them on multiple Systems!

Using my 8Bitdo Controller on the original Super Nintendo, Switch and PC.

@belmont These retrobit controllers wont come close to quality compared to the official nintendo sega gamepads. I own 2 genesis pads from retrobit, and even a saturn from them. The Nintendo Genesis one blows them away on quality.

@Azuris These 8 bitdo ones are not as good as the the ones from nintendo. They feel stiff.