Nintendo Restricts Compatibility of Savings on Lower-Priced Switch 2 Accessories
The (Frickin') Switch 2 Release Frenzy exploded worldwide this week, unveiling the epic demand for Nintendo's fresh handheld console. With a hefty price tag of $450, consumers are ready to humble themselves and snag the upgraded Switch. But be prepared to empty your pockets, as games could cost around $70-80 and extra controllers might set you back nearly $100 for Nintendo's official accessories.
If you manage to land a device, you'll find that some non-essential accessories might not deliver the experience you expect. Take, for example, the return of the GameCube controller, initially hailed as a win for gamers. But, oh boy! Did Nintendo have to muck things up with a complicated catch: it'll only work with GameCube titles via their Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.
Trying to scratch that authentic retro itch? You'll have to trade practicality for cash. While using the new GameCube controller with other Switch 2 games, you'll bump into issues since it lacks a left bumper button and a right nipple-like analog stick. Even so, this controller will only function with the Switch 2, not any other console.
Just a heads up, Nintendo recently tweaked the GameCube controller's listing on their website. Originally believed to cost $65, the updated product page now simply states it'll hit the market alongside the Switch 2 on June 5. Only those lucky enough to score a spot in Nintendo's priority sale on the My Nintendo Store can secure their ownership starting May 8 through May 12. We'll let you know if the final retail price is less than $65.
You'd think the premium pricing of the new $85 Pro controller and $95 Joy-Con 2 (Nintendo increased their cost by $5, blaming U.S. tariffs) would be enough to drain your wallet, but hold onto your hats, folks! The Switch 2 GameCube controller isn't the only accessory that won't meet your expectations.
During the April 2 Switch 2 Direct, gamers might've noticed that streaming to friends using Nintendo's $55 1080p-resolution Switch 2 camera could result in latency and jagged images. Hori, a company that produces licensed Nintendo products, is selling a Piranha Plant camera priced at $60. You'd assume the improved price would mean a better resolution, but nope! The Piranha camera is only 480p resolution, which isn't even standard HD.
Hori offers another camera that's compatible with Switch 2, found on Amazon's Japan webpage, but it also boasts a lackluster 480p resolution. It costs around $28 in the U.S., but we can only guess the price will be higher at home, due to tariffs. On the bright side, both of Hori's cameras can directly connect to the Switch 2's USB-C port while in handheld mode – a feature Nintendo's official camera can't deliver.
So, before you rush out and buy any Switch 2 accessories, double-check their capabilities. The lower resolution on Hori's cameras might mean reduced lag and negligible impact on the Switch 2's screen. Here's hoping we can verify the camera performance soon!
Now, why on earth didn't Nintendo update the GameCube controller to function like a modern gamepad? Why did Hori opt for cheaper camera resolutions? Sadly, we're left with more questions than answers. But hey, don't say I didn't warn ya! Happy gaming, and may the best Switch be yours.
- Gizmodo's tech experts have been questioning the functionality of some non-essential accessories for the Nintendo Switch 2, such as the new GameCube controller, which will only work with GameCube titles via a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, and Hori's cameras, which offer lower resolutions than expected.
- The technology world is buzzing about the high prices of various Switch 2 accessories, including the Switch 2 GameCube controller, which, despite its premium pricing, will not deliver the same experience as a modern gamepad, and Hori's Piranha Plant camera, which, despite a lower price, offers only a 480p resolution.
- tech enthusiasts who are looking for affordable alternatives to Nintendo's official accessories for the Switch 2 may find themselves disappointed by Hori's offerings, as both their cameras offer lower resolutions than expected, with the Piranha Plant camera priced at $60 only offering 480p resolution.
