Gamer Dorison Hugo has been working on a crazy concept for seven years: squeezing four GameCube controller ports onto a normal Nintendo Switch dock, and he’s finally done it. Players can now just plug in their hefty purple GameCube controllers without having to clutter up their TV stand with additional boxes. The end result appears polished enough to pass as a factory-made accessory.
Hugo starts with the normal Switch dock that comes with the console. Inside, there’s mostly empty space, making it ideal for hiding a Gamecube adaptor. He chooses a little one from Input Integrity, primarily because larger ones, such as the Wii U version, will not fit. Next, he removes some of the adaptor ports to make room. Then a few precise holes are made at the front of the dock. He has a mixture of superglue, epoxy, hot glue, and other adhesives to keep everything together. Some simple connectors allow you to easily replace out cables if necessary. To finish, he only needs to solder four wires from the adapter to the dock’s circuit board. Gamecube controllers now glow up as normal on the Switch screen or any TV you connect.
- This bundle includes a system and a full GAME DOWNLOAD for the Mario Kart World game, exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. Limited quantities. While...
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
There’s also a version that reduces the whole thing down to pocket size. All you have to do is slot the Switch in, connect the HDMI and power, and you can play it from anywhere. There’s even a special “handheld mode” that allows you to utilize the Switch’s built-in screen without a television. If you want to play for hours on end, external batteries make it possible.
Security becomes an issue for tournament participants, so Hugo installs a mechanical lock that snaps over the dock. A modified padlock secures the Switch, cords, and game card, but strong printed walls and side holes prevent bike locks or bolts from causing problems. Organizers of events can assign keys with numbers to keep setups safe.
There’s some good news for Switch 2 owners: there’s more room within the dock, making it easier to hide the connections. The ports are cut down somewhat at the top so that they fit flush. A 3D printed extension maintains the USB-C port easily accessible. Hugo scanned all of the pieces to ensure accurate fits, preventing any frequent mistakes that modders may make.
There are several additional features that improve the design, such as reinforced USB-C ports that can withstand intensive use. Some configurations even offer the option of adding USB hubs and Ethernet slots. Mayflash adapters are good for cheap solutions, but the Input Integrity unit is the one to acquire if you want top-notch reliability (which is essential at a tournament). Every single button and stick works just as Nintendo intended. Hugo is enabling everyone with a 3D printer participate by sharing the print files on Cults3D. And for those who simply want to buy one off the shelf, he is selling limited editions on eBay to fund his expenses.
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