PowerA GameCube Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch review

If you are of a certain age, chances are you have fond memories of playing Super Smash Bros. Melee on your Nintendo GameCube. While die-hard gamers are likely still playing it regularly, most people have moved on to the more modern Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. If you want to enjoy this new school game the old-fashioned way, the PowerA GameCube Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch is for you.

In this PowerA GameCube Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch review, I’ll give you the very good reasons why you should get one – and the good reasons to avoid them.

PowerA GameCube Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch: What is it?

As you can see in the photos, the PowerA GameCube Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch is a modern console controller that looks like a GameCube controller. It has all of the buttons and lights you would find on something like the Nintendo Switch Pro controller, but in a reconfigured shape and arrangement.

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PowerA is an officially licensed Nintendo partner. That means this controller is guaranteed to work with your Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite. This also means that it will continue to work even after future console software updates.

Note, however, that your console software must be version 6.0.1 or higher for this to work.

What is good?

You have to give it to PowerA for its attention to detail. The PowerA GameCube Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch has the same ergonomic feel as the original. The purple-blue color is even intact here. PowerA went the whole mile and adapted the oversized height of the Y button to match the original GameCube design. Kind!

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Unlike the original GameCube controller, however, this model has all of the buttons you need to play Switch games. That said, there is an extra shoulder button and three extra buttons where the start button was previously. The analog sticks can also be clicked to mimic L3 and R3 hits.

In contrast to the real GameCube controller, there are no analog triggers on this device. Granted, even the Nintendo Switch Pro lacks analog triggers, but that’s just another way this controller deviates from the original.

Outside of the design, the controller is also very easy to configure with your switch console. You just turn it on, go to your switch’s controller settings, and boom: you’re connected. Once connected, there is no need to pair them again. You can also press the home button on the controller to power on the switch, just like with first-party systems.

While the purple and blue hue is the classic design, if you don’t like it, you’re not tied to it. PowerA offers different designs and color variations of this controller including black, silver, gray and gold. There are also themed controllers linked to Nintendo traits like Pokémon, Mario, and more.

What’s not so good?

Unlike many modern high-end controllers, the PowerA GameCube Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch uses replaceable AA batteries for power. This is a cost-cutting measure that immediately makes the device less valuable than the Switch Pro controller. Since there is no built-in battery, no USB-C port (or even a microUSB port) is required. This prevents you from being able to use the controller in a wired state with the switch or anything else.

Likewise, the weight and general feel of the PowerA controller screams “cheap”. It feels very toy-like in the hand. In particular, the buttons lack the weight and feel of first-party controllers from Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony, etc.

This controller feels cheap. PowerA is cutting off a lot of corners that prevent the device from having any real value.

Although the controller has full motion support, it lacks support for HD rumble, IR and Amiibo NFC. The lack of rumble in itself is a crime, especially considering that most people buy this to play Smash. The controller also does not support re-assignable buttons that first-party switch controllers have.

Finally, the PowerA GameCube Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch doesn’t work well with Android or Windows systems. Even though it connects to the switch via bluetooth, my tests with other systems resulted in incredibly poor performance. If versatility is what you are looking for, this is not the device.

PowerA GameCube Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch: Should I Buy It?

Most of the people interested in this controller would want it to play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. They want a giant A-Button and the feel of that yellow C-Stick they know so well from their GameCube days. If you so choose, this controller will work just fine for this particular task. Remember, there is no rumble support when playing.

Outside of Smash, there’s really no reason to buy this unless you’re a die-hard Gamecube controller fanatic. There are other controllers available with better build quality, better integration with non-switch systems, and built-in rechargeable batteries. In addition, they are not much more expensive than the price for them.

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Speaking of which, the list price for the PowerA GameCube Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch is $ 49.99. However, we’ve seen it drop to half that price quite a few times. If that’s what you want, don’t spend $ 50 on it. You’d better buy the 8bitdo Gbros. Wireless adapter and a real GameCube controller. That gives you the real experience you’re looking for and even saves you some money, although obviously a real Gamecube controller doesn’t have all of the Switch Pro controller buttons, so it may not work as well on every game.

The bottom line is that you should only buy this if you want it for a specific purpose – and only if you can find it at a discount. If all you need is a great standalone controller for your Switch, get a Nintendo Switch Pro controller as this is the all-round device you need.