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To connect an NES Controller to Nintendo Switch, attach it to the side rail of an original Switch or Switch OLED, or pair it wirelessly from Controllers > Change Grip Order. A Switch Lite supports wireless pairing only. The controllers are designed for Nintendo’s NES – Nintendo Switch Online software; Nintendo does not guarantee that every feature will work in other games.
Connect or pair the NES Controller
Attach it to an original Switch or Switch OLED
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Orient the controller to match the console’s side rail.
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Slide it down the rail until it clicks into place. Nintendo says the console registers the controller when attached; you can then detach it and use it wirelessly. See Nintendo’s attachment instructions.
Pair wirelessly
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From the HOME Menu, select Controllers > Change Grip Order.
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With that screen open, hold the controller’s SYNC button for at least one second.
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Check the player LED: the light for the assigned controller number remains lit once pairing is complete. Nintendo’s pairing instructions cover this method.
Use it with Switch Lite
Switch Lite has no controller rails, so attach-and-register setup is not available. Pair the NES Controller wirelessly using Controllers > Change Grip Order and the SYNC button. Nintendo also says the NES Controllers can be used wirelessly with Switch 2; the rail instructions above apply only to the original Switch and Switch OLED.
Start an NES game and use the buttons
Launch NES – Nintendo Switch Online to use the controllers in their intended software. Nintendo recommends installing any available software update before starting a game. The mappings below are for that software, and attached and wireless play use some buttons differently. See Nintendo’s button and use instructions.
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- L: Press to take a screenshot; hold to capture video.
- R: Press to return to HOME; hold to open Quick Settings.
- L + R: Open the suspend menu, or exit online play when you are a guest.
- Two wireless controllers: Only player 1 can navigate the game-selection menu.
When the controllers are attached
- Left controller directional pad: Navigate the game-selection menu or the game.
- B: Open the suspend menu.
- A: Take a screenshot; hold to capture video.
- Right controller directional pad: Access HOME.
Know what works outside Nintendo’s NES software
Nintendo Support cautions: “The NES Controllers are designed to work with NES – Nintendo Switch Online software. Although it’s possible that these controllers can be used to navigate the console’s menus and even play other games, we cannot ensure that all in-game options and features are supported.” In practice, a game responding to the controller does not mean every menu, control, or feature is supported.
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- MULTI-COMPATABILITY: Includes USB and NES wireless receivers. Compatible with USB-enabled devices via USB Receiver. Compatible with original or 3rd party NES consoles via NES Receiver
- SWITCH COMPATIBLE: Optimized for Switch Online classic library
- MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS & FEATURES: Additional ZL and ZR shoulder buttons. Features Home and Screenshot buttons. Features Turbo switches built in for rapid fire for A & B
- RECHARGEABLE: Built-In 500 mAh battery with USB-C fast charging port (3ft/1m USB-C to USB charge cable included)
- LATEST TECHNOLOGY: Utilizes the new V2 chip
The Switch NES Controller is also different from the NES Classic Edition controller. Nintendo says those controllers are not interchangeable. Its overview and FAQ describes the Switch controller as intended for Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics games.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Charge the controllers and work around dock fit
A Nintendo Switch console is required to charge the NES Controllers. Nintendo Support estimates a full charge takes approximately 3½ hours and a fully charged controller lasts approximately 20 hours; actual battery duration varies by use. The support pages are undated, and these figures were checked on October 4, 2026.
While charging, open the Controllers screen and look for a battery icon with a lightning bolt below each controller. With the NES Controllers attached, the console will not fit in a dock with a LAN port. Nintendo lists these charging arrangements:
- Connect the AC adapter directly to the console’s USB connector.
- Use a dock without a LAN port.
- Attach the controllers to a Switch OLED and place that console in the LAN-port dock.
See Nintendo’s charging instructions for the estimate, indicator, and dock guidance.
Who the NES Controller is for
The Switch NES Controller is best suited to players who want its classic layout for Nintendo’s NES – Nintendo Switch Online games. It has a narrower purpose than a general-purpose Switch controller: support for other software is not assured, and the NES Classic Edition controller is not a substitute. Nintendo’s overview describes a two-controller set. For the U.S. and Canada, its page says purchase requires an active, paid Nintendo Switch Online membership; free-trial members are ineligible. The page lists the set at $59.99 plus shipping, with a limit of four sets per Nintendo Account holder. Those are regional terms and listed pricing can change, so check Nintendo’s current store information before buying.
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