Nintendo Imposes Restrictions on Lower-Priced Switch 2 Peripherals
New and Expensive: The Switch 2 Preorder Craze
Jumping headfirst into this week's Switch 2 preorder chaos, consumers worldwide seem eager to shell out a whopping $450 for the new handheld console from Nintendo. With a release date set for June 5, it's clear that the successor to the original Switch is shaping up to be a major hit.
If you're fortunate enough to snag a device, get ready to fork over some serious cash for games and accessories. You could find yourself staring down the barrel of $70 or $80 for games, and nearly $100 for Nintendo's first-party accessories. Third-party peripherals might be cheaper, but the licensed and niche accessories designed to complement the Switch 2 appear to be inferior.
Take, for example, the highly touted return of the GameCube controller. At first glance, it seemed like a fantastic win for gamers. However, Nintendo dropped a confusing bomb when they revealed that the controller would only work with GameCube titles available via a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.
Nintendo Life confirmed that you can use the GameCube controller for other Switch 2 games as well, provided that they're specifically designed to accommodate the missing left bumper button and the right analog stick that resembles a nipple. Even so, the new GameCube controller won't function with any console apart from the Switch 2.
Nintendo didn't hesitate to provide clarification, telling Gizmodo that the updated GameCube controller was exclusively designed to work with Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics collection of games and may encounter issues when used with other Switch 2 games due to its button and feature limitations.
Nintendo's website recently adjusted the Listing for its GameCube controller. Earlier reports suggested a pricier outlay of $65, but the product page now indicates that it will launch alongside the Switch 2 on June 5. That said, users who go through Nintendo's priority sale at the My Nintendo Store may have the first opportunity to buy it from May 8 through May 12. Gizmodo reached out to Nintendo to confirm a final retail price, and we'll update this post if we receive more information.
While the GameCube controller might set you back $65, it's a significantly cheaper option compared to the new $85 Pro controller and $95 Joy-Con 2 (Nintendo raised the prices for each peripheral by $5, citing U.S. tariffs). Both of those controllers feel fantastic in your hand, but the premium prices only add to the overall cost of an already expensive Switch 2.
The Switch 2 GameCube controller isn't the only accessory that may not deliver the complete package. If you paid close attention to the April 2 Switch 2 Direct, gamers may encounter latency and jagged images when streaming to friends using Nintendo's $55 1080p-resolution Switch 2 camera.
Hori, a manufacturer of licensed Nintendo products, is offering a Piranha Plant camera that retails for $60. Some might assume that because it costs more than the official Switch 2 camera, the resolution would be higher; however, that's a no-go. The Piranha Plant camera features a lower 480p resolution - not even standard HD.
On a brighter note, Hori has another less-ettish camera that's Switch 2 compatible and can be found on Amazon's Japanese webpage. While it sports the same 480p resolution, it's priced at around $28 in the U.S., with the expectation that prices will increase due to tariffs at home. One significant advantage of Hori's cameras is that they can plug directly into the Switch 2's USB-C port whenever you're in handheld mode, something that Nintendo's official camera can't manage.
As we haven't yet taken the cameras for a spin, we can't compare them to Nintendo's officially. It's possible that the lower resolution on Hori's cameras may result in less lag and an insignificant impact on the Switch 2's screen.
Nintendo's store page suggests that "any compatible USB-C camera" can be utilized with Switch 2, hinting that a wide range of third-party webcams could be available. However, Nintendo has yet to confirm this, leaving us to wonder if we might soon have more camera options.
Inquisitive minds may ponder why Nintendo didn't update the GameCube controller to better resemble a modern gaming controller. Or, why Hori decided to compromise on the resolution of its cameras. Unfortunately, I don't have solid answers on those questions. So, before you go on a buying spree for Switch 2 accessories, ensure you know exactly what you're getting.
- As the Switch 2 approaches its release, the technology industry, particularly in finance, is abuzz with the anticipated future of smart-home devices and gadgets, with the new handheld console from Nintendo being a significant player.
- In a recent Gizmodo interview, Nintendo revealed that their updated GameCube controller, though exclusive for the Switch 2, will not be priced as steeply as the new Pro controller at $85 or the Joy-Con 2 at $95, offering a comparatively affordable option for consumers.
- The tech world is also keenly watching the evolution of streaming technologies, particularly with concerns about potential latency and image quality issues for gamers using third-party smart-home devices like Hori's Piranha Plant camera for streaming sessions on the Switch 2.
- As the tech industry expands, companies like Hori are contributing various accessories to enhance the Switch 2 experience, with their less-expensive camera offering a potential alternative to Nintendo's official camera, despite its lower resolution and direct USB-C pluggability advantages.
