Abxylute is betting nostalgia will sell Switch 2 accessories. The gaming peripheral maker just unveiled two replacement controllers for Nintendo's upcoming console - including the N9C, which looks like someone literally split a GameCube controller down the middle and attached it to either side of the Switch 2. Both dock-style controllers connect via the console's bottom USB-C port and are heading to Kickstarter soon, though pricing remains under wraps.
Abxylute is making a play for the hearts of GameCube loyalists. The company, which previously launched the M4 magnetic mobile gamepad, just pulled back the curtain on two Switch 2 controllers that replace Nintendo's standard Joy-Cons for handheld play. The catch? One of them looks like pure fan service.
The N9C is the attention-grabber here. Its design literally mirrors the GameCube controller - split down the middle and mounted on either side of Nintendo's next-gen console. According to details shared on the pre-launch page, both controllers connect through the Switch 2's bottom USB-C port in a dock-style configuration, drawing power directly from the console. No batteries, no wireless lag, no Joy-Con drift drama.
But who's this really for? The N9C seems tailored for a specific crowd - players who never let go of the GameCube controller layout. With mechanical micro-switches on the ABXY buttons and triggers, capacitive joysticks, and even a dedicated C button for accessing GameChat, it's catering to the faithful. The controller also features a swappable gate on the right joystick that locks movement to eight directions, a feature fighting game competitors will recognize immediately. Think Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players who've been using GameCube controller adapters since day one.
The appeal makes sense when you consider Nintendo's recent moves. Last year, the company added GameCube titles to Nintendo Switch Online, giving subscribers access to classics like and . But the nostalgia market might be narrower than Abxylute hopes - that GC library on Switch Online is still pretty small.
