Nintendo Japan opens sales of Family Computer Controller for the Nintendo Switch to all buyers

Nintendo Japan has opened the sales of its Family Computer Controller for the Nintendo Switch to all buyers. The wireless controllers allow Switch users to play the “Family Computer Nintendo Switch Online” and “Nintendo World Championships Famicom World Championships” games and are not compatible with regular Switch games. The wireless controller uses a lithium battery that is recharged by a Joy-Con from a Nintendo Switch.

The Switch is Nintendo’s current game console (available here on Amazon), and it is powerful enough to emulate older systems. Nintendo Switch Online members can access Game Boy, Famicom, and Super Famicom games through the “Family Computer: Nintendo Switch Online” software. Popular classic games include Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong, Metroid, and Kirby’s Adventure.

A Family Computer Controller (called the Nintendo Entertainment System Controller in America) can be used to play these older titles with the same look and feel of the original Famicom controllers, but is not required. The controller had only been available for purchase by Nintendo Switch Online members since its launch in 2018.

In an X post on July 17, 2024, Nintendo Japan stated that all interested buyers, members or not, can now buy the controllers, currently priced at 6,578 yen (~$42) for a pair. Nintendo of America has not made this change, so buyers in America must be Nintendo Switch Online members.