The Nitro Deck 2 has some competition. Abxylute today unveiled two new Switch 2 controllers: the N6 and N9C — both of which can be picked up on Kickstarter now. While both look like stellar ways to play Mario Kart World on the go, it’s the N9c that interests us most with its nostalgic GameCube-like shape. It’s even purple.
Abxylute unit
That’s the one in the image above, by the way. It’s currently asking $120 (∼R1,930) on the company’s Kickstarter (though early birds can still nab a discount) before it’ll go home with you. It shares a lot of similarities with its N6 sibling, like built-in gyro motion control, vibration feedback, Hall Effect joysticks, and a “C” button.
It differs from the N6 most with its GameCube-like controllers that’ll hook onto the Switch 2’s display for handheld gaming, unlike Retro Fighters’ BattleDock, which turns the Switch 2 dock into an example of GameCube mimicry. Those ABXY buttons are mechanical and are paired up with hot-swappable 8-way or circular gates.
Even if it’s just the feel of an old-school GameCube controller in your hands, Abxylute offers complete button remapping to make those Smash Bros. combos much easier to pull off. The Switch 2 display docks into the controller via USB-C, leaving the top port free to charge as you’re gaming.
Knock one for N6
As for the Abxylute N6, it adopts a more deck-like shape, in line with what Nintendo originally intended. It’s a little cheaper than its portable GameCube companion, going for $110 (∼R1,780), also via the company’s Kickstarter campaign. The N6 arrives in a variety of colours, including an Indigo variant that gives even the buttons a GameCube makeover. Expect the same Hall Effect sticks, vibration feedback, and gyro controls here.
Abxylute reckons that the N6 sports all the same ‘pro-level’ features you’d find in the Switch 2 Pro Controller. On top of the usual buttons you’d find on a regular pair of Joy Con 2s, the N6 actually throws a couple on the back, and pairs them with a ‘turbo’ function to make repeated inputs faster. It also supports custom mapping and macros.
