Update: I was able to get all three of my controllers to work with my Model Y!
- Nintendo Pro Controller for Switch
- Nintendo Joy-Con Controller for Switch (single, but not two joined together)
- Nintendo SNES Online Controller for Switch
I achieved this by purchasing an
8BitDo USB Wireless Adapter 2. But there are subtleties in actually getting all of this to work, so hopefully these instructions will save someone some time.
First, my 2021 Model Y allows data (not just power) from the centre console cubby USB-C ports. I've read that data is only accessible via the glove box in more recent Model Y iterations so you may need to plug in the adapter there.
Next, I updated the adapter's firmware, so I'd suggest doing that.
I then learned that the 8BitDo adapter has different
modes. The manual alludes to this but does not provide clear steps on how to change modes using Nintendo controllers. I found the answer on
this thread.
What you want is to put the adapter into
macOS mode. You can access this mode by pressing
SELECT + RIGHT [d-pad right] and holding for 3 seconds. On the Nintendo Pro Controller, SELECT is the
circular (-) button. SELECT is clearly marked on the SNES Online controller. After 3 seconds you will see the blue light on the adapter pulse to confirm the mode change and the game should then allow you to play. Note that the adapter has other modes as well (see the thread above for details) that may be useful.
I was disappointed that rumble doesn't seem to be supported but at least the system works. If anyone figures out how to get rumble to work please let me know. Some of the games (Cuphead) allow you to re-map the buttons if you don't like the defaults.
Happy gaming!
