Metroid Prime Remastered brings the GameCube classic to Switch in fine fashion. Retro Studios, with the help of multiple additional developers, has updated the original game significantly for the Switch, implementing revamped visuals, an expanded gallery features, and multiple new control options.
Of course, one of these control options allows you to effectively replicate the original 'Classic' GameCube controls on Switch with Joy-Con or a Switch Pro Controller. But what if you wanted to go all the way and use an actual GameCube pad with Metroid Prime Remastered? Could you really do it?
Well, the good news is, yes, you absolutely can. With a few minor tweaks via the in-game settings, mind! Metroid Prime Remastered doesn't have native support for GameCube controllers, but it's possible to replicate the original controls quite closely if you have the requisite pad and adapter.
In this guide, we'll take you through the steps needed to replicate GameCube controls as close as possible in Metroid Prime Remastered.
Regardless of which GameCube pad you use — whether it's an official one with an adapter or a third-party effort — you'll need to pop into the game's settings and tweak a couple of things to make the controls feel truly authentic to the original.
The good news is that the majority of button mapping is pretty much spot on, so there's not a great deal here that needs altering.
Note: If you have an official GameCube pad and an adapter, you will need to follow the below steps with the Joy-Con / Pro Controller before swapping over to the GameCube pad.
Now, the main problem you'll run into with this is that there is no '-' button on the official GameCube pad, which is exactly what we needed to access the Inventory Screen and Options menu in the first place. You could maybe mess around with the button mapping at a system level to change the 'Start/Pause' button to '-', but then doing that will also change 'Z' at the same time, so why bother?
Those with third-party pads may find that all the required buttons are in fact present, so if that's the case, you should be fine. Those with official pads, however, will want to just swap over to the Joy-Con / Pro Controller if you need to head back into the Options menu for whatever reason.
Is it perfect? No, but it's probably the closest you're going to get to how the original played!
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Let us know in the comments how you get on using a GameCube pad with Metroid Prime Remastered, and what you think of the remaster.
Nintendo Life’s resident horror fanatic, when he’s not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from Motorhead to BB King.
Glad this exists for people with gamecube pads. If i ever pick one up, I’ll try it. But I think ill use modern controls when i play
For how much thought went into the options menu for this remaster, I'm surprised that they didn't think to add native GameCube controller support. Hopefully they'll add it in a patch.
Since they were able to get native GameCube controller support via the official USB adapter working in the 3D All-Stars version of Super Mario Sunshine, it'll be cool if they can get that working here too.
Y for missiles! Thank you! I was going crazy every time the early part of the game would say "press X for missiles." I played the original on Gamecube a hundred times and I kept thinking "I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be Y."
And then my muscle memory confirmed it, as I spammed the missiles several times in the opening space station, thinking I was entering morph ball mode.
I do have a third-party wireless GameCube controller so I might do this if I ever play it.
Now, the main problem you'll run into with this is that there is no '-' button on the official GameCube pad, which is exactly what we needed to access the Inventory Screen and Options menu in the first place. You could maybe mess around with the button mapping at a system level to change the 'Start/Pause' button to '-', but then doing that will also change 'Z' at the same time, so why bother?
Even if it didn't change the function of Z, you cannot map the buttons at a system level when using a Gamecube controller via the official adapter. Unless there was a recent update that allowed it, I haven't checked because I assumed that was a lost cause.
Super Mario Sunshine in 3D All-Stars was patched to natively support GameCube controllers. Hopefully this will get patched as well!
This GBros. adapter from 8Bitdo is what I use to play mine with on Switch for both Super Mario Sunshine, Resident Evil 4, RE0, RE1, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Final Fantasy X, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, and now Metroid Prime. Can't wait to use it for Tales of Symphonia, A Wonderful Life, and Baten Kaitos 1 & 2 later too.
PowerA gamecube Espeon edition will come to my rescue. It's great that we can still buy gamecube shaped controllers that work with Switch, shame you can't buy one for PS5 and Xbox <the new one, whatever its name is>
Pretty glad I pre ordered the NYXI Wizard controller. Wireless GameCube style Switch controller with hall joysticks.
I have my original GameCube controllers wired and wavebird; I could try this but will likely roll with new twin stick since I’m not used to GCN controls I only watched my little bro play MP1 and Echoes back in the day, and played MP3 only in wii. Looking forward to it!!!
It should be noted that the GCN controllers' analog triggers don't work in the remaster like they did in the original. In the original, a slight depress of the L button locks Samus' aim and allows her to strafe and pressing it all the way in locked-in on an enemy. I haven't tested it myself, but now apparently it simultaneously locks in on an enemy and strafes with any input on the L button. I don't believe this can be fixed with a patch since this is a hardware issue, but I'm not certain. Anyone know for sure?
A PDP licensed Wii Fight Pad Pro and an 8bitdo Gbros adapter has been working wonders for me.
The Gbros adapter is hard to get right now, but it works great if you can get it (virtually no lag) with a Wii Classic ProController, which does have ZL, ZR and Minus.
It sounds probable they will add official Gamecube controller support, after they did so for Mario Sunshine in the 3D Collection.
This is going to go great with the NYXI controller I ordered.
I can't believe they forgot GameCube controllers and adapters exist... I am extremely disappointed Nintendo left that out as an option and I am really hoping they will patch it in very soon along with trigger buttons compatibility for the true original controls from GCN for veteran players.
I really don't get the obsession with the GameCube controller. I mean, it's not bad, but it's not the greatest thing ever. I think the Switch Pro controller is clearly better except for racing games, where the analog shoulder buttons on the GC controller really worked well.
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