A broken controller, a friend coming over to play, an old console pulled out of the attic: you need a controller, but which one? Each console has its own port and its own compatibility rules. Here is the console-by-console guide, from retro classics to current consoles.
Retro Nintendo Consoles
- NES: Nintendo NES controller
- Super Nintendo: Super Nintendo controller
- Nintendo 64: Nintendo 64 controller
- GameCube: wired GameCube controller or 2.4 GHz wireless GameCube controller
Good to know: early Wii consoles (original white model) have GameCube ports under a flap on top. You can connect a GameCube controller to play GameCube games and certain Wii games. Newer Wii consoles (Family Edition, Wii Mini) no longer have these ports.
Wii and Wii U
- Wiimote Motion Plus with Nunchuk: the complete pack for most games.
- Wiimote Motion Plus only and Nunchuk only if you only need one piece.
- Classic Wii Controller: it plugs into the Wiimote and is suitable for games that support it, especially retro games on the Virtual Console.
- Wii U Controller
The Wiimote needs the sensor bar to point at the screen: if yours is lost, it is easily replaced.
PlayStation
- PS2: wired controller or 2.4 GHz wireless controller (10 m range). PS2 controllers also plug into the PS1 and work with the vast majority of games.
- PS3: PS3 controller
- PS4: PS4 DualShock 4 controller or special edition
- PS5: Sony DualSense controller
Note: a PS4 controller works on the PS5 for PS4 games only. For PS5 games, you need a DualSense.
Xbox
- Original Xbox: wired Xbox controller
- Xbox 360: Xbox 360 controller
- Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S: wireless Xbox Series X|S controller, which also works on Xbox One and PC.
Battery cover missing? It can be replaced: Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S.
Nintendo Switch
- Wireless Pro Controller for playing comfortably on the TV
- Nintendo Switch Joy-Con or JOY-05 Joy-Con with Hall effect joysticks
Sega and PC
- Mega Drive: wired 16-bit Mega Drive controller
- PC: the USB PC controller plugs in and works immediately on Windows, without a driver.
Playing on a retro console with a modern controller
It is one of the best retro gaming tips: BlueRetro adapters plug into the controller port of a retro console and allow you to use a modern wireless controller (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch Pro, 8BitDo...). No more cables that are too short in front of the TV.
- BlueRetro wireless adapter for Super Nintendo
- Wireless adapter for Nintendo 64
- BlueRetro wireless adapter for GameCube
And in the other direction, the GameCube controller adapter allows you to connect your GameCube controllers to the Switch, Wii U, or PC.
In summary
For every console, there is the right controller, and for retro consoles, adapters even allow you to play wirelessly. Discover the full selection in our Retro and modern console game controllers collection, in stock in Switzerland and shipped by La Poste.