Hyperkin HyperPodium GameCube Controller Adapter For Nintendo Switch Review

In this episode, we unbox and test out the Hyperkin HyperPodium adapter which allows you to use GameCube Controllers with your Nintendo Switch Dock.

The Nintendo GameCube controller is still amazingly popular, 20+ years after it was originally released. While many associate Super Smash Bros with using the GameCube controller, there are many games that may benefit from this layout compared to more modern ones. While the GameCube did offer the wireless Wavebird controller, it did not utilize Bluetooth, which makes it impossible to use with modern systems and PCs. The developers at Hyperkin have just sent us their new HyperPodium Nintendo Switch Dock adapter which is designed to allow you to use GameCube Controllers on the Nintendo Switch.

0:00 Introduction
2:03 Unboxing
5:18 Smash Bros Ultimate
6:57 Wavebird Testing
7:32 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
9:24 NES Online SMB
10:01 SNES Online
10:54 Super Street Fighter II
12:11 Super Mario Sunshine
14:49 What Do I Think

The HyperPodium is an attachment that inserts into the OEM dock. On the left and right sides there are 2 GameCube ports on each side. While at first glance it looked like the player indicators would light up, there are no such lights on the HyperPodium. Out of these four controller ports, the ports themselves are extremely tight. This is the tightest controller port I've ever used on any system; I was legit concerned that I could damage my controller connector or the HyperPodium itself when I was removing my controllers.

With the HyperPodium inserted into the dock, it raises the Switch several inches in the channel of the dock. There is a bit of wobble to the Switch when inserted into the HyperPoduium. I'm not overly concerned with it, but it is something to be aware of. While some may want to try to use this with the Switch Lite, I believe there's too much of the lower screen blocked to be able to play well. I also tried to use other docks with the HyperPodium and to be honest, this really is designed for the OEM Dock and the OEM dock only. Even Hyperkin's own RetroN S64 dock wasn't compatible with it.

When I began my testing, something weird happened. The controller registered a constant controller input and scrolled the curser left and right completely at random. Once I powered my Pro Controller off, the random inputs stopped completely. I don't know if there was something conflicting with the Pro Controller or what, but it was definitely weird. And repeatable.

I started using my Indigo GameCube controller on Smash Bros Ultimate, and from the word go it worked very well. Button presses were spot on, and the responsiveness was terrific. From here, I threw in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and intended on testing the Wavebird with it. Since the face is flush and not curved, like the faceplate of the GameCube, there was a slight gap between the transceiver and the face of the HyperPodium. But it fit. That was all I can say about it, because while the controller icon would flash up occasionally it never worked properly. This was a definite disappointment to me.

While the Wavebird was a strikeout, the Hori Gamepad was anything but. This was designed specifically for the Game Boy Player and the GameCube, providing more of an SNES-style control scheme, and it was amazing. I was able to play NES games flawlessly, and Street Fighter 2 was just beyond locked in. On the Super NES games, however, the button mapping wasn't quite what I needed it to be, making it a little less than ideal for some games. But overall, if I plugged a wired controller into the HyperPodium, it worked.

Why It RoX:
- Plug-&-Play
- Clean Design
- Works with up-to 4 GameCube Controllers
- Responsive
- Under $30

What Could Be Improved:
- Not compatible with Switch Lite
- Wavebird did not work
- Significant wobble to the Switch when in-use
- Controller ports seemed way too tight
- Additional controller needed due to lack of Home Button & ZL/ZR buttons to return to main menu in NES/SNES Online

Should You Buy One?
While I like the GameCube controller, I do think it's one of the best designs Nintendo has ever developed, I don't feel the need to continue using it on current-generation hardware. That being said, for wired controllers, the HyperPodium worked flawlessly. Button presses were properly registered, the D-Pads and Analog Sticks worked as they should, and it was an overall wonderful experience. The fact that it did not work properly with a Wavebird was disappointing to me as other adapters do work with this controller. The lack of a home button and ZL/ZR to return to the main menus in the NES & SNES Online also reduced the convenience for me. If you simply want to use wired GameCube controllers on your Switch, this is a darn fine way to do just that. If using the Wavebird, having a home button and a ZL/ZR button press matters, you might want to look elsewhere.

#Hyperkin #NintendoSwitch #HyperPoduim