I Finally Bought a Nintendo Switch Super NES Online Controller

In this episode, we unbox and test out the Nintendo Switch Online controllers designed for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System as I Finally Bought a Nintendo Switch Super NES Online Controller.

It's no secret that the Super NES is one of my favorite consoles, if not my favorite console of all time. The library of the games and the memories I have of playing it in high school are absolutely amazing. When I heard that Nintendo was going to release Super NES games to the Nintendo Switch through the Switch online service, I was sold. One of the interesting features is that they promised controllers dedicated to the specific systems available to Switch Online members. At $30 for a single controller, I had hesitated to purchase the Super NES one. After all, I had third-party alternatives that were good enough, right? Well, I finally pulled the trigger and dropped the 30 bucks, and let's see how it comes out of the box.

Similar conceptually to the Nintendo 64 and the Sega Genesis Switch Online controllers, the Super NES controller is only available as a single unit in a package. Inside the box, you will get the controller itself and a nice, durable Nintendo USB-A to USB-C cable. Unlike the NES online controller which came out previously, you cannot charge the super NES controllers by sliding them into the rails on the Nintendo Switch, you HAVE to plug them in via USB cable.

The overall design and layout are virtually identical to the original Super NES controller. The face buttons are the same concave and convex design as the original, the d-pad is the same size, the shoulder buttons are the same size, and they also added a ZL and ZR button closer to the center line of the controller. In the middle of the top of the controller you have a USB-C charging port, and the bottom of the controller features your pairing button, along with player indicator LED lights.

Pairing to my Super Mario Nintendo Switch OLED was super easy. I used another controller to navigate to the controller screen, selected change grip order, and entered the pairing mode on the controller. With a quick press of the L & R shoulder buttons, I was paired. Pretty easy!

What is one of the cool things that Nintendo has done with their Switch online controllers is when you use them and launch a Switch Online service game that is compatible you get different audio cues. The same is true of the Super Nintendo controller, and in fact the background on the menu changes from red to gray and purple to match the Super NES color scheme. It's the subtle things that make it worthwhile.

Diving into the Super NES online, I started a game of Super Mario World. I know this game extremely well and everything functioned exactly like it should. Button presses were great, the d-pad felt really good, and overall I was very pleased with the results. I also played Star Fox, Yoshi's Island, and others with similar experiences.

I played a few additional Super NES online games with it, but then I decided to test out some other titles that weren't a part of the Super NES online catalog. I've had issues with button mappings in the past for these games, but I was pleasantly surprised here. Street Fighter 2 Turbo was fantastic, as was Castlevania 4 in the Castlevania collection. literally, everything that I played was terrific that could be played with a Super NES controller. One bummer, however, is the fact there is no dedicated home button. So if you're playing something other than a switch online game you have no way to get back to the main menu.

Why it RoX:
- Virtually identical and design to the original
- Great functionality and responsiveness
- Only $30
- Unlocks special menu noises and switch online games
- Good battery life

What could be improved:
- Cannot be charged on the Switch itself
- Only sold in single packs
- Must be a Switch Online member to order
- No dedicated home button
- Only available online

Should you buy one?
If you're a fan of the Super Nintendo like I am, and if you are a Switch online member then what are you waiting for? I'm kicking myself that I waited so long to finally pick one of these up. This is a damn fine controller and Nintendo has knocked this one out of the ballpark. My few complaints and things I wish could be improved are more gripes and looking for needles in the haystack versus real negatives to the controller. I wish you were a little bit less expensive, 25 bucks would be better than 30, and having a home button would be much better too. Beyond that, this is an exceptional controller you should definitely pick up. I'm just glad at this point Finally Bought a Nintendo Switch Super NES Online Controller, it's so good.

#SwitchOnline #SuperNintendo #Nintendo