The official listing for the new wireless Nintendo GameCube controller is now live on the Nintendo site and we now know when it will go up for sale. Nintendo announced its new Switch Online GameCube library for Switch 2 as part of its Direct presentation at the top of the month and, along with it, the new modern take on the GameCube Controller we know will be available for purchase starting next month.
When can I buy the new GameCube Controller?
As exciting as it is to see Nintendo add an entirely new platform of classic games to its Switch Online membership, it did receive its fair share of push back. Not only do you need to have the Expansion membership to access it, but it is also only available on Nintendo Switch 2. So that means even folks with a paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership will not be able to access the GameCube games unless they have a Switch 2 and the same goes for this new GameCube Controller as well – “the Nintendo GameCube controller is only compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 system.”
That’s not great news, but considering how popular Switch 2 has already been at pre-order, and how much it will almost certainly continue to be, providing everyone who wants one can actually get one, it’s not a huge deal – just sort of disappointing and a little bit odd really.
But with that out of the way, Nintendo’s official listing on its site for the new GameCube Controller is now live. Much like the wireless NES and SNES models before it, this will be the only place to buy them for the time being and you have to be a Nintendo Switch Online member to do so.
The actual news here though is down in the fine print. It says the Nintendo GameCube Controller will go up for sale starting on May 13, 2025 for “paid Nintendo Switch Online membership holders” – there is a limit of “one purchase per Nintendo Account.” It will release the same day as Switch 2 on June 5.
However, Nintendo also mentions that “Nintendo Switch 2 early purchase access invitation recipients” will have a chance to score one early between March 8 and March 12, 2025.
More details from Nintendo:
Offer not available in all countries or for free trial memberships. This controller is optional and not required to play the Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics collection of games. System update required. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership required to access Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics collection of games.
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