Modder Successfully Converts Wii U GamePad Into a Playable Nintendo Switch

A Modder Successfully Converts Wii U into a Nintendo Switch Console

Before the Nintendo Switch earned its title as the best-selling console for the company, Nintendo experienced a major setback with the Wii U. The successor to the Wii failed dramatically due to serious marketing missteps. Despite its commercial struggles, with only around 13.56 million units sold, the console retained a dedicated fanbase, some of whom continued to utilize its online servers until they recently closed.

Now, a hardware modder known as KOUZEX has unveiled a successful project: modifying a Wii U to run Nintendo Switch games. KOUZEX showcased a video demonstration proving that Switch titles can be run directly on the Wii U’s distinct GamePad. The mod fully supports all the necessary controls, including the analog sticks, ZL/ZR buttons, and the touch screen, as the button layout is already functionally sufficient. However, the modification of the touch screen was challenging because the original Wii U GamePad is not multi-touch capable. Integrating the controls also required considerable time.

The Complex Internal Swap

In the YouTube video, KOUZEX utilized a Nintendo Switch Lite, which is designed purely as a portable device, as the base for the project. The internal processor of the Switch Lite was carefully extracted and installed into the Wii U GamePad. While this sounds like a simple swapping of components, it was a complex and demanding project. This modification demonstrates incredible engineering skill. For most players who genuinely wish to play portable Switch games, simply purchasing a Switch Lite is the far easier option.

The Wii U was originally launched in 2012, placing it in the same console generation as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It championed Full HD graphics and featured its unique GamePad controller, which included a touch screen and could stream the game screen over short distances. Despite its commercial failure, the Wii U did produce a number of critically acclaimed masterpieces that should not be missed.

This mod is the ultimate case of hardware irony. A console that failed because the public did not understand its core concept (the GamePad screen) has been physically transformed into the console that succeeded wildly (the portable Switch). KOUZEX did not just swap parts; they effectively created the best possible version of the Wii U—a portable console capable of playing modern Nintendo titles. What a fantastic way to honor a misunderstood piece of gaming history!