Recently, we reported on the new announcement Official Joy-Con Charging Dock for the Switch (which perfectly allows users to charge their Joy-Cons when used as additional controllers with the ‘Switch 2’ – wait, where’s our foil cap?). However, amidst all the initial confusion, we happened to miss another little piece of information that might be useful.
Nintendo has announced that the Famicom controller for the Switch, previously exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members, is now available for general sale (thanks, Sora News). In other words, Japanese people can buy a set even if they are not Switch Online members.
“The ‘Family PC Controller’ is now widely available. Starting today, anyone can buy one, even if they’re not a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber.”
It’s worth noting that, as of writing, the NES controller is still exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members in regions like the UK and North America, but Nintendo’s move to expand sales to more customers in Japan could signal some potential changes in other regions in the future.
Not only does this move coincide with the announcement of the Joy-Con Charging Dock, but it also coincides with the recent release of Nintendo World Championship: NES VersionA game that is definitely best played with a Famicom/NES controller. In Japan, customers can buy a special edition that comes with two Famicom controllers. We’re not jealous at all. No.
