A third-party controller company has made a GameCube-style controller for the Nintendo Switch that can attach to the console like the system's proprietary Joy-Con controllers. Despite their flaws, Joy-Cons are a large part of the Switch's identity and remain popular with Switch users to this day.The GameCube, now over 20 years old, has one of the most celebrated Nintendo controllers in the company's over 40-year history of making home consoles. It has experienced continued popularity, particularly with the competitive Super Smash Bros. community, many members of which prefer the controller for competitive play. Different iterations of the GameCube controller have appeared on the Switch, almost all of which are designed as an alternative to a traditional wireless controller like the Switch Pro Controller.There had yet to be a GameCube-style controller that shared the unique features of the Joy-Cons, until now. Controller company NYXI has revealed the NYXI Wizard, a wireless Switch controller modeled after the GameCube controller but that can separate and attach to the console just like Joy-Cons. Other features of the controller include swappable joystick rings, illuminated face buttons, and Hall Effect sticks which NYXI states will "never develop drift in their lifetime," a fitting feature given the prevalence of Joy-Con drift among Switch owners.
The NYXI Wizard shares a strong similarity to the GameCube Joy-Cons made by YouTuber Shank Mods. His video on the mod was released in 2020 and quickly went viral, currently sitting at over 12 million views. Many online were quick to notice the similarities between his controller and the NYXI Wizard, including Shank Mods himself. He replied to news of the NYXI Wizard humorously, clearly noticing the strong parallels. Some gamers responded to him grateful that there is now a commercially available version of the idea he brought to life, though many thought his version looked better.
The GameCube has one of the strongest legacies of any Nintendo console, and the continued popularity of the GameCube controller is a testament to that. It still remains a popular choice after over two decades and was given new life through third-party companies making GameCube controllers for the Switch. With the NYXI Wizard, there will now be a GameCube controller that can take more advantage of the Switch's capabilities and is sure to get scooped up quickly by gamers old and young. Fans of the GameCube controller will hopefully not have to wait long to get their hands on this ambitious new product.
Source: NYXI