If you’re interested in picking up a GameCube-style controller for the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, or PC, you should check out Amazon’s deal on the NYXI Warrior Lite Wireless Controller. Normally $50, the highly customizable Warrior Lite is discounted to $40 for a limited time. The Warrior Lite features pro-style features such as remappable back buttons, trigger locks, Hall effect sticks, microswitch buttons, and interchangeable components. Nexi designed the Warrior Light to match the color scheme of the original purple GameCube controller.
If you have a GameCube or Wii console, the original Warrior Wireless Controller comes with a 2.4GHz wireless receiver that plugs into the GC controller port. You can also use the receiver on a PC with the included USB adapter. The Nexi Warrior is discounted to $58.39 ($69) in purple, orange and black. For a cheaper alternative, Amazon has Powera’s officially licensed GameCube-style wired controller for under $17.
And if you own an original Switch or Switch OLED, the NYXI Wizard and the recently released Wizard 2 are worth checking out, as they can also convert your Joy-Con controllers into handheld mode. The Wizard can also be used as a traditional Switch 1/2 wireless controller when both sides are connected to the included bridge. Do it No Operate Switch 2 in handheld mode.
We’ve tested Warrior Lite, Warrior and Wizard on Nintendo Switch 2, Switch, and PC. Take an in-depth look at each model below.
$40 (was $50)
Key Features
- Bluetooth Wireless: Switch 2, Switch, PC, Mobile
- Hall effect sticks and triggers
- Modern trigger and bumper design
- Adjustable trigger locks
- Two resettable back buttons
- Usable back button module
- Modern and classic sea sticks
- Octagonal and round stick gates
- Microswitch face buttons
- 8-way microswitch D-pad
- 6-axis gyroscope for motion control
- Adjustable double rumble motors
- Turbo function
- Up to 5 hours of battery life
Warrior Lite replicates the general look, layout and color scheme of the original GameCube controller. It’s a bit chunkier and wider than the original, so it doesn’t have the same exact form factor, but it packs a number of compelling features that make it a versatile option for GameCube games on Switch Online, as well as modern Nintendo games.
In addition to offering traditional bumpers and triggers, the Warrior Lite has two repositionable back buttons. The right and left back buttons have a one-piece panel design that can be removed and replaced with replacement panels inside the box. The main difference between the two styles of back buttons is that one of them is slightly raised for texture and slightly tactile feedback.
Warrior Light is equipped with anti-draft hall effect sticks. The right stick mimics the GameCube’s yellow c-stick, but you can swap it out for a more traditional, yellow stick with a larger grip. Likewise, you can switch between octagonal stick gates inspired by the GameCube controller and regular stick gates with a circular range of motion.
The face buttons, 8-way D-pad, and shoulder bumpers are activated by microswitches, making them clickable with a mouse. Like the sticks, the triggers are activated with a hall effect sensor, and can be set to two different stopping points with a locking switch on the back. Other basic features include built-in, adjustable rumble and 6-axis motion control.
The main downside here is battery life, as the Lite version has a smaller battery that lasts only five hours on a full charge. Like the Switch 2 and many Bluetooth controllers for the Switch, you can use the Warrior Lite on PC, mobile, Steam Deck, and other devices.
.3 58.39 (was $69)
Key Features:
- Bluetooth Wireless: Switch 2, Switch, PC, Mobile
- 2.4GHz Wireless: Gamecube, Wii, PC
- Available in Purple, Orange, Black
- Hall effect sticks and triggers
- Modern trigger and bumper design
- Adjustable trigger locks
- Two resettable back buttons
- Usable back button module
- Modern and classic sea sticks
- Octagonal and round stick gates
- Microswitch face buttons
- 8-way microswitch D-pad
- 6-axis gyroscope for motion control
- Adjustable double rumble motors
- Turbo function
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
Nexi released the original Warrior controller last year. The Warrior has the added benefit of working as a wireless controller on the original GameCube and Wii hardware. The included 2.4GHz receiver plug can also be used on a PC with the included USB adapter plugged into the GameCube’s controller port. The Warrior also has a large battery that can last up to 10 hours between charges, which is a good thing.
While the Warrior Lite is only available in purple, the original Warrior has purple, black, and orange color options. All three are eligible for Amazon discounts.
.4 59.49 (was $70) | Handheld mode on the Switch
Key Features
- The Switch and Switch replace the Joy-Con in handheld mode on the OLED
- Bluetooth Wireless: Switch 2, Switch, PC, Mobile
- Available in Purple, Black, Silver, Orange
- Hall effect sticks
- Mechanical triggers and bumpers
- Two resettable back buttons
- Modern and classic sea sticks
- Octagonal and round stick gates
- Bright ABXY button
- 4-way d-pad
- 6-axis gyroscope for motion control
- Adjustable double rumble motors
- Turbo function
- 6-8 hours of battery life
NYXI Wizard works on the Nintendo Switch 2, but you can only use it for dock or tabletop modes. On the original Switch and Switch OLED, a wizard can turn your Joy-Con into handheld mode. The left and right sides are separated from the center bridge and connected to the console by a sliding mechanism. The Switch 2 uses a magnetic contact method for the latest Joy-Con 2 controllers, making the Wizard incompatible with Nintendo’s new console for portable play.
If you’re picking up one of Nexi’s GameCube-style controllers specifically for the Nintendo Switch 2, most players should opt for the Warrior or Warrior Lite. But if you still use both consoles, the Wizard is probably the more interesting option. There are some differences between the Warrior and Wizard controllers, though.
The Wizard has slim, mechanical triggers and bumpers. Unlike the Warrior, it doesn’t have dual trigger modes. All four shoulder buttons are mechanical. These feel great, but you can’t switch to a traditional trigger pull action like you can on the Warrior.
Two built-in, textured back buttons are located in natural locations and feel great. The ABXY face button labels have customizable lighting effects, which is a cool addition, although the buttons and 4-way D-pad eat traditional membrane microswitches.
Like the Warrior, the Wizard comes with modified sticks and two different styles of doors, octagonal and round. You can switch between a full-sized C-stick and a smaller one that more closely resembles the original GameCube controller.
Other features include 6-axis motion control on each side, adjustable rumble, and a turbo button. Battery life falls between the Warrior and the Warrior Lite.
$72 (was $90) | Handheld mode on the Switch
Key Features
- The Switch and Switch replace the Joy-Con in handheld mode on the OLED
- Bluetooth Wireless: Switch 2, Switch, PC, Mobile
- Available in Purple, White, Black, Orange
- TMR Lathi
- Dual trigger modes: Hall Effect / Microswitch
- Joystick cap updated
- Microswitch face buttons
- Two resettable back buttons
- 4-way microswitch D-pad
- 6-axis gyroscope for motion control
- Adjustable double rumble motors
- Turbo function
- NFC for Amiibo
- 6-8 hours of battery life
The Wizard 2 is available in white, purple, black, and orange—though only the white and purple editions are in stock right now. The white edition is discounted to $72 (was $90), and the purple edition is $81 when you click the coupon on the store page.
It’s important to emphasize that even though this is a Wizard 2, it’s not a Switch 2 handheld controller. The right and left sides still slide to connect to your console, so handheld mode will only work on the Switch and Switch OLED.
Nexi Wizard 2 borrows some of the features found in the Warrior series and aims to be more authentic to its inspiration in a number of ways. The Hall effect linear triggers are similar in shape to those found on a Nintendo controller. If you flip the switch on the back, the triggers turn into quick-fire microswitch buttons.
Microswitches are also used for the D-PAD and A/B/X/Y buttons. The rear buttons—one on each side—are no longer textured, but they offer a bit more feedback.
The Wizard 2 is NYXI’s first gamecube-style controller that upgrades from Hall Effect to TMR sticks. The left joystick has the signature circle pattern found on the official Nintendo GameCube controller. Unlike the majority of third-party controllers, the Wizard 2 has NFC support for scanning amiibo.
The Wizard 2 has a sleeker form factor and a more premium look as a result. It’s worth noting that there are some features found on the original Wizard that aren’t offered with other general models. It doesn’t have modified sticks or gates, so the default octagonal gates and retro-inspired c-stick are all you have to work with. If the prospect of always using the short right stick bothers you, the original Wizard would be a better choice.
From a customization standpoint, the Warrior and Warrior Lite are the most impressive GameCube-style controllers we’ve tried, but there are other GameCube controllers for the Switch and Switch 2 that offer a more authentic experience.
As mentioned, Nintendo’s Wireless GameCube Controller for Switch 2 is as close as you’ll get. It feels almost exactly like the original, just without the cable and with a few extra little buttons on top: the C button for game chat, the home/menu buttons, and a tiny ZL button for the fact that the GameCube controller only had one shoulder button. But while it’s a great option for GameCube games on Switch online, the aforementioned small ZL button makes it less than ideal for modern games.
Officially licensed GameCube-style controllers from Power and Hori incorporate Nintendo-inspired designs and modernize the shoulder and trigger layout. The form factor of these controllers is closer to the original GameCube controller, as they have thinner profiles than the NYXI Warrior. If you want to go the officially-licensed route, Powera’s Toad Around .3 Wireless Controller from Super Mario Bros. is $64.39 (was $70). For a cheaper wireless alternative, Hori has made a Zelda-themed battle pad for $50.
If you don’t mind a cord, you can’t beat Amazon’s deal on the Powerwa Wired Controller featuring Bowser’s logo.
If you want to use one Original A GameCube controller—with a GC connector instead of USB—is possible on the Switch and Switch 2 with the help of an adapter.
If you buy a wired GameCube controller or have an old one in a drawer, you can use it on the Switch and Switch 2 with the help of an adapter. You can buy a USB controller hub like the popular MayFlash or CloudDream models below. Both of these budget-friendly accessories have four ports. If you don’t want to sit near the center, you can plug your controller into the 8-bit Duo’s GBROS. Wireless adapter. You still have a string, but you won’t be tied to a stationary object.
