FCC filing reveals SNES-shaped controller for Switch

Every now and then, we get little snippets of information about upcoming devices and products from leaky government departments. This next one could be big.

A filing made to the US Federal Communications Commission — the FCC — has revealed that Nintendo may be releasing a SNES-like controller for the Switch in the near future. The filing doesn’t give us a look at the front of the controller, but it does show us the back, showing us the label location and the shape.

Listed under the model number HAC-042, there’s no doubt that this is a controller for Switch, and it certainly sports a very familiar, SNES-like shape. The model number is probably the biggest giveaway — Switch accessories tend to use the “HAC-” prefix in their model number, with Joy-Con using HAC-015, the Pro Controller using HAC-013, and the NES Online controllers using HAC-034.

We can’t say for sure what this is for, but with the anniversary of the launch of Nintendo Switch Online just around the corner, and with previous NES-shaped controllers launching for the NES Online aspect of the service, we could be seeing our first hint at the future of the service.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated if we hear anything else.

Thanks to Nibel on Twitter for bringing attention to this.