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Nintendo Switch getting a six-button Sega Genesis controller, but only in Japan

The Genesis controller being offered to North American Switch Online users will only have three buttons

Last week, Nintendo made the surprise announcement that Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games are coming to Switch Online as part of a new paid ‘Expansion Pack’ tier. Nintendo will also sell $64.99 N64 and Genesis controllers to use with these games.

Now, the company has revealed a special version of the Genesis controller that has six buttons instead of the usual three. However, it will only be offered in Japan, a Nintendo of America spokesperson confirmed to Polygon.

The spokesperson didn’t provide a specific reason for this exclusivity outside of a general “different regions make different decisions based on a variety of factors” statement. That said, the spokesperson did note that the three-button configuration was “by far the more widely used and well-known SEGA Genesis controller in these regions.”

Switch Online

As Polygon explains, this was certainly true. The six-button controller didn’t release until several years after the launch of the Genesis. It was introduced then in response to the increasing popularity of input-heavy arcade games like Street Fighter and Streets of Rage.

It’s important to note that while Nintendo Switch accessories are technically region-free, the company says it “cannot ensure compatibility between systems and accessories for all regions.” Therefore, you might want to keep that in mind if you’re thinking of importing the six-button gamepad or any other Japan-exclusive peripherals.

For now, though, the three-button controller and Switch Online Expansion Pack are set to launch sometime in October. Nintendo says specific pricing and release timing will be revealed at a later date.

Source: Polygon

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