The Switch 2 GameCube controller went live for pre-order today… and then everything melted. Within just five minutes of hitting the My Nintendo Store, demand for the $64.99 NSO-exclusive controller was so high it crashed the entire website.

What was supposed to be a simple launch turned into one of the wildest Switch 2 accessory drops so far. Here’s what happened, why this controller still has a cult following 20+ years later—and why this “retro” accessory is far more controversial than expected.

A Controller That Outlives Consoles

Let’s be clear: the GameCube controller has never truly gone away. First released in 2001, it was designed for precision inputs and ergonomic grip at a time when most controllers felt bulky or gimmicky. But it wasn’t until Super Smash Bros. Melee launched that it became legend.

For over two decades, Melee players have insisted the GameCube controller is the only way to play—thanks to features like analog triggers, short actuation buttons, and just the right amount of stick looseness. Nintendo knows this. It’s why GameCube ports exist for Wii, Wii U, Switch 1—and now Switch 2.

Pre-Order Chaos: 5 Minutes to Meltdown

At 10 AM ET on May 13, Nintendo opened pre-orders exclusively to Switch Online members. Each customer was limited to one unit. The page immediately flooded. Within minutes, most users were greeted with a red screen stating: “We have a lot of visitors right now. Hang in there…”

By 10:05, most buyers were either stuck in a queue or booted entirely. Within 10 minutes, it was effectively sold out. This wasn’t a collector’s item—this was a demand shock. And that’s where the controversy begins.

The Catch: It’s Not for Every Game

Despite being marketed as a full-feature GameCube controller, this version will reportedly only work with the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube classics library—and not with physical GC remasters, third-party titles, or even Smash Ultimate (unless patched).

This clarification, quietly dropped post-launch via Nintendo support docs, has left many fans frustrated. The controller uses a wireless NSO chipset and appears to lack universal button mapping or broader OS support.

Why It Still Sold Out Anyway

Because nostalgia wins. Because Melee is eternal. Because the GameCube controller feels right. And because in a world of Joy-Con drift, tech minimalism, and symmetrical blandness, the purple beast still stands out.

Even if the use-case is limited, fans want this controller in their hands—and on their shelves. For collectors and Smash veterans, it’s more than input—it’s identity.

Final Thoughts

The Switch 2 GameCube controller isn’t just a nod to the past—it’s a modern marketing weapon. It crashed the Nintendo store in five minutes flat, ignited a Reddit frenzy, and reminded the world that GameCube hardware still holds power.

Is it perfect? No. Will it work with every game? Definitely not. But if you managed to snag one, congratulations—you now own the most controversial nostalgia accessory of 2025.

Did you get yours? Or did the queue crush your hopes like a missed wavedash? Let us know in the comments.