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Switch-compatible NES controllers only work with downloadable NES games

zombiejames

zombiejames

Member
Oct 25, 2017
11,934
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018...ontrollers-only-work-with-emulated-nes-games/

I've been on record for years now in my position that the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons are "hand-crampingly small" when being held horizontally, NES-controller style, by adult-sized hands. So I was hopeful that the Switch-compatible replica NES controllers Nintendo announced last week would let me play a variety of old-school Switch games with a full-sized controller, complete with an old-school d-pad and full-sized buttons.

Those hopes have been dashed, as Nintendo-watchers have noticed the following disclaimer on the UK and Australian versions of the Nintendo's Switch Online information pages (though, oddly enough, not on the US version of the page)

Please note: Nintendo Entertainment System Controllers can only be used while detached from the Nintendo Switch system, and only to play NES – Nintendo Switch Online games [emphasis added]. Nintendo Entertainment System Controllers can be charged by attaching to the Nintendo Switch system.
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While the replica NES controllers are missing features like analog sticks, rumble, and gyroscopic tilt-sensitivity, there are plenty of games where these features are optional or completely unused. And while the NES controllers don't have as many buttons as a standard Joy-Con, the two face button and two shoulder buttons would be more than enough for many games (assuming some sort of system-level button configuration tool).

It's quite possible that Nintendo didn't want its replica NES controllers, which will sell at $60 for a pair, to compete with its own Switch Pro Controller, which sells at an MSRP of $70. As it stands, the Pro Controller remains the only official way to use a standard d-pad on Switch games, though imperfect third-party solutions do exist.

In any case, potential purchasers should be aware that these special NES controllers can only be used for a handful of classic games, and they will become completely unusable if you stop subscribing to Nintendo's online service. That makes them more of a novelty than anything else, in our view.
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Makes the $60 not seem worth it at all, imho. That last point is key: If you don't pay for the online service, these controllers are literally useless.
 

Deleted member 36578

Dec 21, 2017
26,561
I thought we heard this the day it was announced? Was that just speculation?
 
808s & Villainy

808s & Villainy

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
42,700
They're meant to be novelty items after all...everything from their marketing, to them being Nintendo Online exclusive, to their being limits to prevent scalping pointing towards that idea
 
Mauricio_Magus

Mauricio_Magus

Member
Oct 25, 2017
13,033
I wanted one for the Mega Man Legacy Collection.

Fuck this. (Ironically I assume people will find a way to use them on PC, if that happens I'll get them)
 

Deleted member 1413

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
8,617
I do wonder if it literally does not work with anything else or if it's not officially supported by any other games due to lacking buttons making games like BOTW or Mario odyssey mostly unplayable.
Guess we'll find out when people get their hands on it
 
Serenitynow

Serenitynow

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,667
Don't they have SL and SR triggers in the rails? What purpose would they serve in NES games?

Edit: Maybe I misremembered.
 
metsallica

metsallica

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 27, 2017
11,729
Cool, I hope this makes you all pass so they're easier for me to get. If any Japanese ResetERA users want to pass on the Famicom versions too that would be great, as I think those might be a bit tougher to acquire. Thanks.
 
julian

julian

Member
Oct 27, 2017
16,786
We knew this, but it still sucks. It'd be great for a whole lot of platformers.
 
Doskoi Panda

Doskoi Panda

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 27, 2017
14,975
Demolition_Human said:
So.....technically those controllers cost 80 bucks.
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Technically they cost $380, because you can't use them without a Switch.

Technically they cost years of your parent's time and money, plus $380, because you can't use them unless you've developed hands, and you can't develop hands unless your parents conceived you, and you can't use your hands effectively unless your parents raised you and you lived long enough to pick up fine motor skills.

Technically they're a consequence of the existence and makeup of our reality and of time's constant forward progression and thus were conceptually more expensive to create than any one human could accurately discern
 
808s & Villainy

808s & Villainy

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
42,700
It's possible their compatibility might be expanded to other NES titles not through the service. Controllers do have firmware updates nowadays
 
Jonneh

Jonneh

Good Vibes Gaming
Verified
Oct 24, 2017
4,538
UK
Then why do they have SL and SR buttons?

Edit: to sync? The Joycon has a dedicated sync button in addition to them, what's the logic of doing it this way?
 
ASaiyan

ASaiyan

Member
Oct 25, 2017
7,228
random_polymath said:
A specialized controller for a subset of games. Nothing new here.
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Except all the other "specialized controllers" for the system have wider compatibility. The Pokken Controller is theoretically designed for only one game, but is recognized by other games as a Pro Controller (and is great for 2D platformers like Mega Man or Celeste). Same with the GameCube adapter, which is technically only for Smash (a game that isn't even out yet).

So it was reasonable to assume the same would be the case with these controllers; and a real bummer that it isn't, especially considering the price. I don't think I'll be picking these up anytime soon. I already have an NES Classic and two controllers if I want to play some 8-bit multiplayer.
 
Gestault

Gestault

Member
Oct 26, 2017
13,383
I don't understand the hostility behind how Nintendo engineers some of its accessories.
 
AyaisMUsikWhore

AyaisMUsikWhore

Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,736
So not only do you have to pay for the subscription to get these and pay $60...but they only work for NES games?

Man....
 
Lunchbox

Lunchbox

ƃuoɹʍ ʇᴉ ƃuᴉop ǝɹ,noʎ 'ʇɥƃᴉɹ sᴉɥʇ pɐǝɹ noʎ ɟI
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
7,548
Rip City
Nintendo out here with 15 fumbles for the season.
 
Jaded Alyx

Jaded Alyx

Member
Oct 25, 2017
35,383
They are considered a 'Special Offer' for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. That's the reason.
 
Dynedom

Dynedom

Member
Nov 1, 2017
4,699
Are they not allowing the NES Classic controller to be used with the Switch for these NES games?
 

Deleted member 42484

Banned
Apr 21, 2018
6,969
Surprised they wouldn't give developers the option to use them if they wanted.

With a dpad and two buttons there's not too many games that would work, but atleast a couple would. I know Astro Bears would!
 
Lithium Flower

Lithium Flower

Member
Nov 1, 2017
1,624
Solid said:
Technically they cost $380, because you can't use them without a Switch.

Technically they cost years of your parent's time and money, plus $380, because you can't use them unless you've developed hands, and you can't develop hands unless your parents conceived you, and you can't use your hands effectively unless your parents raised you and you lived long enough to pick up fine motor skills.

Technically they're a consequence of the existence and makeup of our reality and of time's constant forward progression and thus were conceptually more expensive to create than any one human could accurately discern
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Hi3xbLxl.jpg
 
RadzPrower

RadzPrower

One Winged Slayer
Member
Jan 19, 2018
6,051
Serenitynow said:
Don't they have SL and SR triggers in the rails? What purpose would they serve in NES games?

Edit: Maybe I misremembered.
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I don't remember for sure, but it's possible that they could be used for "emulator" functionalities of some sort. Maybe they are not SL and SR specifically, but a replacement for the home and screenshot buttons that maintain the original face of the NES controller.
 
Camjo-Z

Camjo-Z

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,514
The worst part is that when they inevitably add SNES games to the lineup, these gimmick controllers won't even work with those. I'll stick with my Pro Controller.

zombiejames said:
That last point is key: If you don't pay for the online service, these controllers are literally useless.
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Makes sense considering you can't even buy them unless you're a subscriber.
 
mindatlarge

mindatlarge

Member
Oct 27, 2017
2,926
PA, USA
You know, if these were SNES controllers and only played SNES games on the paid subscription, I'd be interested and wouldn't think twice. Though I don't see myself playing the NES games that much to justify the price tag.
 
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