SNES-style wireless controllers confirmed for the Nintendo Switch

Nintendo confirmed that it’s introducing a Super NES-style wireless controller for the Nintendo Switch. The device was announced today during a Nintendo Direct presentation, and will be joined in short order by 20 new games from that era.

The SNES Nintendo Switch Online Exclusive Controller will be available directly from Nintendo, but only to those with a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. Devices won’t require a wireless dongle, and will charge via USB cable. It’s unclear if that cable will be included. Sold as single units, they retail for for $29.99 each with a limit of four per customer. That’s comparable in price to the wireless Switch controllers, which went on sale for $59.99 a pair in Dec. 2018. Pre-order information is not available, but a placeholder website is available now.

Today’s announcement comes after weeks of rumors that the device was on the way. The big giveaway was a filing made with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, which clearly showed a drawing of the back of the controller sporting a Switch-compatible model number.

Update (Sept. 16): Nintendo released the wireless controller on the afternoon of Sept. 16. It is now available for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers to purchase on Nintendo’s website, where the product listing indicates that orders will begin shipping Wednesday, Sept. 18.