Nintendo Switch Adapter

Current scope of this older adapter guide

The 5-in-1/GameCube and 8BitDo instructions below describe a historical Nintendo Switch setup. They are not a current two-player compatibility guarantee. Before buying parts, give support the exact Tankstick/PCB, Switch model and firmware, adapter revisions, and game. For the current model-specific adapter route, compare the Console Adapters FAQ.

In a reviewed Tankstick MAX case using a 5-in-1 plus an 8BitDo adapter setup, the Switch listed both controllers but Player 2's joystick and buttons did not work. The customer reported both players working on a PC, while the proposed Player 2 handshake and changing controller modes did not restore Switch input. Support later clarified that this older combination had not been actively tested recently and arranged a replacement without promising it would fix the problem. No replacement result was reported.

Test actual joystick and button input for each player in the affected game; two listed controllers alone are not a passing test. If the same handshake has already failed, preserve that result and ask support to review the complete adapter chain and the PC-versus-Switch comparison. This case does not prove a universal 8BitDo incompatibility, a faulty 5-in-1 adapter or a specific Switch firmware regression. Do not purchase a replacement solely from that assumption. Any support-approved replacement needs the same two-player gameplay retest.

Historical connection options and limitations

The original guide described two Nintendo Switch connection options. Both historical options use the 5in1 adapter (GameCube connection) and one of the following:

NOTE: This Brook GameCube-Switch adapterdoes NOT work with our adapters).

1. With Nintendo firmware update 4.0 or higher GameCube controllers and our 5in1 adapter work on the Switch when used with their official GameCube-Wii U adapter or with 3rd-party ones like this. (To enable it, press L & R simultaneously when pairing controllers and use the analog/DPad modifier to get the joystick to work. The Start button acts as the + button. Keep in mind these will only work with games that have GameCube controller support.
2. The 8BitDo GBros. Wireless Adapter for Switch was described as allowing an X-Arcade connection to the Switch (wirelessly between our 5in1 adapter and the console), and it makes the console see it as a Pro Controller instead of a Gamecube one. It uses 2 AA batteries in each adapter, and you will need 2 of them for 2-player play.

Keep in mind that these option may not work if the game absolutely requires the right bumper shoulder or - (minus) to work since GameCube controllers lack those buttons. There is also no Home button, so you will need to use another controller when you need to go Home, or there is a Home button on the GBros adapters. All of the 5in1 adapter mode options still work and are outlined on the 5in1 adapter page here.

The Nintendo eShop offers many arcade classics including their Arcade Archive games, many even supporting vertical/portrait screen orientation options (see list here).

Source article: <https://support.xgaming.com/support/solutions/articles/12000037075-nintendo-switch-adapter>