These Joy-Con Controllers for Switch 2 Will Turn Your Handheld Console Into a Portable Version of the GameCube.
For me, third-party Joy-Con controllers were absolutely essential for comfortable handheld gaming on the original Switch. But since the Switch 2’s Joy-Con controllers now feature a more sophisticated magnetic attachment, we haven’t seen many third-party options yet. This hasn’t been as much of an issue for me as it was on the original Switch, as I find the Joy-Con 2 more comfortable to use than the original Joy-Con . But they’re still not perfect, especially compared to other handheld gaming devices like the Steam Deck .
That’s why I was so intrigued by a recent announcement from controller company Abxylute. On Tuesday, the company announced the upcoming Kickstarter campaign for two different portable controllers for the Nintendo Switch 2, both of which utilize a unique design. Instead of attaching to the sides of the console like the Joy-Con, these are housings that the console itself fits into. Simply connect the console to the USB-C dock on the bottom of the housing, and you’ll get a wired connection to the controller halves located on either side of the housing, while still being able to use the system’s built-in screen. These Joy-Con 2 alternatives offer players a better grip, and as a bonus, one of them effectively turns your Switch 2 into a portable GameCube.
One of the charms of third-party Joy-Con controllers for the original Switch was that they leveraged the console’s modularity to create unusual form factors. Take the NYXI Wizard , for example. This controller looked like a classic Nintendo GameCube WaveBird controller, but you could also remove both halves of the controller from the center connector and attach them to the sides of the original Switch for authentic handheld gameplay in Smash Bros. or Super Mario Sunshine . I missed similar innovations on the Switch 2, especially since the system now offers even more GameCube games via Switch Online. Fortunately, the Abxylute fills that gap.
While the N6 portable controller is more traditional, the N9C is designed for retro gamers. It looks more like an original GameCube controller than the WaveBird, but has the same familiar joystick and button layout, and even the right color scheme. It has modern conveniences, like Home buttons and a more functional D-pad and right stick than the actual GameCube controller. But this seems like the best way to play GameCube games on the Switch 2 on the go. The N6, meanwhile, has all the same features, but in a more common Xbox 360-style layout, similar to the CRKD Nitro Deck 2 .
The description also highlights some advanced features, such as anti-drift thumbsticks (capacitive on the N9C and Hall-effect on the N6), a gyroscope, optional macro buttons, and, on the N9C, microswitch buttons with a distinctive click. You can use either controller for any type of game, if you choose. But I’m most impressed by the GameCube form factor. Yes, this design will likely be more comfortable than the Joy-Con 2, but it’s also more fun to use.
Unfortunately, since the Kickstarter campaigns haven’t launched yet, we don’t yet know how much they’ll cost. However, competitors like the Nitro Deck 2 cost $99, so you’ll likely pay about the same. The Abxylute HandheldDIY J6 portable console for the original Switch also costs $95 (before discounts), which is another good price.
It’s quite expensive: my favorite third-party Joy-Con for the original Switch costs just $50. But considering the extra features and the price of competitors, it’s probably a price I’m willing to pay—especially considering alternatives are still rare. The only third-party Joy-Con for Switch 2 that you can buy right now that offer the same magnetic attachment as the official ones are the NYXI Hyperion 3 , but they haven’t released yet and cost $126.99 (and will go up to $170 after early bird deals end). The new models from Abxylute may not have the same convenient attachment technology, but they’re feature-rich and should still be a nice improvement over the official Joy-Con 2.