Nintendo Switch could get a new controller, rumored N64

If you’ve been on Twitter lately, you may have noticed that people are turning the page contemplating the nature of a mysterious application “game controller” that Nintendo just filed with the Federal Communications Commission. Most seem to think this is related to a rumored upcoming expansion of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service.

Let’s start with the beginning. Earlier this month, Nintendo insider and leaker Nate the Hate sparked rumors that the Game Boy and Game Boy Color games arrive on the Nintendo Switch Online service. Eurogamer later corroborated this speculation, claiming that other “retro platforms” were also heading to NSO. This has made people assume that Game Boy Advance games are in the cards as well.

But this week, Nate the Hate again suggested that not only Game Boy and Game Boy Color games definitely join Nintendo’s subscription service, but that Nintendo 64 games would make their way at the ONS too. And later on the 16th, the Twitter user SamusHunter2 noticed that Nintendo had just dropped some sort of Application linked to the “game controller” with the FCC.

The description doesn’t explicitly mention the Nintendo Switch, but the console’s device model numbers all share the “HAC” prefix, which is also present in the new folder. Unfortunately, all parts of the FCC file that would reveal product specifics are obscured. And while there’s nothing particularly spectacular to be learned from the handful of currently readable PDFs, that hasn’t stopped die-hard Nintendo fans from going wild with predictions about what this apparent controller might be.

Associate the many speculations with the fact that some birthdays for Nintendo products are approaching—Axes journalist (and former Kotaku EIC) Stephen Totithis Noted that NSO’s third anniversary falls on September 18, while the N64 celebrates its 25th anniversary on September 29. For its part, LootPots Founding Editor-in-Chief Jack Parsons looks damn safe that the new material mentioned in the dossier is “very likely” related to a new NSO offering. Nate the Hate also believes a price hike for the subscription service is also imminent, to coincide with the service expanding its content offerings.

So where are all of this speculation leading us? If the rumors of Nintendo 64-on-NSO are confirmed, we can easily imagine that the “gamepad” now filed with the FCC is in fact a replica of the N64 controller for use with the switch. All speculation, of course. It could be just another Joy-Con. In any case, there seems to be a fervent call for a Nintendo Direct in September or October, which is usually when Nintendo has one. Considering the multiple birthdays that converge, maybe Nintendo will please its fans and finally spill some tea.