- Abxylute has revealed the N6 and N9C controllers
- Both are handheld dock-style controllers compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2
- The N6 is a more straightforward controller, while the N9C draws inspiration from the GameCube pad
Gaming hardware manufacturer Abxylute has just announced not one, but two handheld controllers for the Nintendo Switch 2.
The N6 and N9C are described by the brand as “deck-style controllers” with both offering “full ergonomics, motion control, turbo, vibration and deep customization as standard.” No price or release date has been given yet, but there is a Kickstarter page you can visit.
The N6 is arguably the more well-rounded of the two. It looks like a relatively compact build and features drift-resistant Hall-effect sticks, a tactile d-pad, customizable vibration levels, as well as full gyro support and two toggle buttons on the back of the pad. Two colorways have been confirmed so far: a transparent black and a purple GameCube-inspired color with matching colored buttons and sticks.
The N9C is a bit more of a specialist controller that mimics the shape and look of a GameCube controller.
Unsurprisingly, it appears to be built with the intention of playing the Switch 2’s GameCube Classics library or games such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that has control layouts inspired by the GameCube pad. The brand has opted for a circular d-pad here, which isn’t particularly GameCube-esque, but it’s definitely become my preferred d-pad style in recent years.
Here comes a new challenger
It seems that ‘deck-style’ controllers could be a more common type of accessory for the Nintendo Switch 2. The N6 and N9C will already have stiff competition in the form of the Nitro Deck 2, which is due to arrive sometime in ‘Spring 2026’ – so not too far from now.
We loved the original Nitro Deck and its enhanced Nitro Deck+ variant, and called it one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories. As such, I expect the Nitro Deck 2 to be a similar quality product and likely the benchmark for similarly designed accessories.
I already see some things that annoy me a little about Abxylute’s products. From the accompanying images, we can see that the controllers don’t completely cover the sides of the handheld Switch 2. The top sticks out ever so slightly, which could present a problem if you take the device out and walk.
I also think the N9C – the model based on the GameCube controller – looks a bit too wide and unwieldy to be a truly portable solution. I much prefer the look of the N6 in this case as it seems much more compact and carry case friendly.
Finally, as you may have seen in the header image above, Abxylute looks like it may be leveraging generative AI images to promote the N6 and N9C. If so, it’s not ideal as it really cheapens the look of the units overall and doesn’t exactly scream confidence in the final product.
Still, we’d be keen to give both controllers a fair shake at TechRadar Gaming, especially since handheld controllers for the Switch 2 could be one of the more widely used accessory types of the generation.
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