In a rather surprising turn of events, apparently the new NES wireless controllers will actually be compatible with regular Nintendo Switch games. The reason why this is surprising is because Nintendo has claimed in the past that the NES wireless controllers would only be compatible with the Nintendo Switch Online NES feature.
The people over at GameXplain have tested out these NES wireless controllers and found out that they are compatible with the upcoming
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, although there are some caveats that may make the controllers not work with every game out there.
For starters, the NES wireless controllers only have six buttons—excluding the directional pad, of course. Buttons A and B, Select and Start, and the new wireless controllers have also added shoulder buttons L and R.
While these wireless controllers do work with
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, buttons need to be re-mapped, in order to work properly, by changing the button layout so that B becomes the run button and A the Jump button.
Re-mapping the buttons can only be done in-game, however, since
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe(as well as some other platformers like
Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze) gives players the option to change the button layout.
Again, Nintendo has claimed in the past that the NES wireless controllers will only be compatible with the Nintendo Entertainment System feature. So these controllers working for other games could be patched later on, especially since Nintendo really want their customers to pay for their Nintendo Switch Online Service; keeping in mind that only subscribers to this online service can actually purchase these NES wireless controllers.
Take on two family-friendly, side-scrolling adventures with up to three friends* as you try to save the Mushroom Kingdom. Includes the New Super Mario Bros. U and harder, faster New Super Luigi U games—both of which include Nabbit and Toadette as playable characters!
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe will be available for the Nintendo Switch on the 11th of January.