Cheap Classic Controller alternative for wire haters, master thrusters

by Eric Caoili { Dec 8th 2007 at 6:00PM }

Whenever accessory manufacturer Thrustmaster comes up in conversation -- and it often does -- we can't help but imagine the Simpsons' Duff Man character stabbing the air with his pelvis. So, if you hear us suddenly yell out, "Oh yeah!" now you understand what provoked our involuntary impulse.

Despite the distracting nature of its company name, Thrustmaster successfully put together an acceptable alternative to Nintendo's Classic Controller and WaveBird with several advantages over its first-party competition:

Togglable rumble via switch
Doesn't depend on a Wii remote hookup for wireless functionality, using a GameCube port dongle instead
Xbox-like shoulder button layout
Turbo and slow modes
Mappable buttons

Best of all, Dell's online shop is currently selling Thrustmaster's T-Wireless NW Gamepad for only $13.59 ($19.99 MSRP) until December 13th! Check out more photos from IGN's favorable review past the break. Oh yeah!

[Thanks, Dave]

Tags: classic-controller, dell, dongle, duff-man, gamecube, sale, simpsons, t-wireless, thrustmaster

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

shadowchaoscontrol @ Dec 8th 2007 6:14PM

its just a wireless gamecube controller

steve @ Dec 12th 2007 8:32PM

Do you know if this controller will work with the gamecube console?

shadowchaoscontrol @ Dec 13th 2007 5:31AM

its a gcn donge, most of the time, that would work as a gcn controller

Rocketboy @ Dec 8th 2007 6:16PM

Soooo... it's a Game-Cube controller with remapable buttons? It would be better if it could also be used as a classic controller. It's just under the level of a must have. Although the remapable buttons is tres cool. Something that the VC is lacking for NO GOOD REASON.

JC Fletcher @ Dec 8th 2007 8:16PM

How could it NOT be used as a wireless Classic Controller? The GameCube pad plays VC games just fine.

Dave @ Dec 8th 2007 6:33PM

You're quite welcome. Looking forward to using this...

Mr.Nitemare @ Dec 8th 2007 6:58PM

The Wavebird is still better..

Abscissa @ Dec 10th 2007 5:04AM

The Wavebird's DPad is useless crap.

Although, like the Classic Controller, this one isn't truly wireless (although the wire in this case in on the opposite end of the wireless connection). What idiot would design a wireless receiver to be on the end of a wire?

MasterInsan0 @ Dec 20th 2007 5:40AM

The kind of idiot who thinks people might not want giant rectangular boxes sticking out of their consoles.

Mr.Nitemare @ Dec 8th 2007 6:58PM

The Wavebird is still better..

mian @ Dec 8th 2007 7:48PM

I'd be a little more interested if it didn't retain the CC/PS analog configuration. That left analog needs to swap places with the non-dpad there.

Fulluphigh @ Dec 8th 2007 8:19PM

That's called a gamecube controller. The entire point of the classic controller is to have the d-pad easier to reach, for the 8 and 16-bit games.

thadwhit @ Dec 8th 2007 7:49PM

I wonder if this can be used as a straight gamecube controller, as the price is nice at 14 bucks, and I need a fourth controller for Mario Kart.

raindog @ Dec 8th 2007 8:04PM

I really love my Wavebird, as long as I'm gonna have to have a dongle sticking out of the Gamecube port. But the remappable buttons make this pretty desirable.... and cheaper than the Gamestop-branded Wavebird knockoff I bought as a second controller. Might have to give it a shot.

DonWii @ Dec 8th 2007 8:18PM

I was going to get it, but I heard it runs on 3 AA batteries.

I don't know about you guys, but I like my accessories running on an even number of batteries.

Carlos @ Dec 8th 2007 8:41PM

yeah, that's another downer.
I see it like this at the moment

PROS
-wireless
-GC & VC support
-rumble for GC games (wavebird lacks it)
-remappable buttons
-price
-availability

CONS
-UGLY
-UGLY UGLY DONGLE
-3 batteries :/

overall, i think it's worth the purchase, but that dongle... i just HATE IT.

And a quick question, am i the only one here who just HATES HATES HATES the classic controller's shoulder buttons? you have to press them so much until they reach the point where they click, why did they do them like that? it's the first controller i see it has that kind of buttons, they don't make sense. Everything else about it seems fine to me though.

JDavis @ Dec 8th 2007 10:28PM

@Carlos:

So you've never used a Gamecube controller?

Carlos @ Dec 9th 2007 11:51AM

actually not, never had a gamecube, but i've been looking for one without any luck cause i recently got metroid prime from a friend. I was hoping for this one as a solution but... i don't know.

Directive0 @ Dec 10th 2007 10:34AM

What makes the gamecube/classic controller triggers unique is they are analog and digital. They detect a gradient of input before that click. Try it in a game like fzero, when you press a shoulder slightly it banks the vehicle slightly and more and more up until that click.

Seth @ Dec 26th 2007 8:35PM

"What makes the gamecube/classic controller triggers unique is they are analog and digital."

Actually, the XBOX and XBOX360 controllers' triggers are analog too (and so are their face buttons, actually). Takes some getting used to if you're used to PS/PS2 digital toggles, but useful for some things (rocket launcher lock-on in Halo, for example).

RD @ Dec 8th 2007 8:20PM

I may get this just for the fact that it has mappable buttons...

Lucy @ Dec 8th 2007 10:20PM

Thanks for the heads up! Definitely picking one up. I look forward to playing Ocarina of Time with actual C /buttons/ and non-squishy shoulder buttons...

Spekkio @ Dec 8th 2007 11:03PM

Meh. I want someone to figure out a workaround (or Nintendo to change the firmware) so that the classic controller (or any controller hooked up to the Wiimote) can play GameCube games. Oh, and while I'm at it, be able to exit a GameCube game without resetting the Wii. And a pony.

zymase @ Dec 8th 2007 11:55PM

Nothing, not even mappable buttons, can justify the ribbed sides of that thing.

Adam @ Dec 9th 2007 2:56AM

The description on the box and the site say that it is compatible with Gamecube games. At a little over $14, and rumble included, that's a solid buy right there.

And the site that the author of this article so lovingly directed us to? They're offering free shipping as well. Get on that, y'all. Those things won't last.

Jipcy @ Dec 9th 2007 3:38AM

Thrustmaster Product Page: http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=95&PlatformID=10

Dell Product Page: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Gaming_Accessories/productdetail.aspx?sku=A1302857

Yes, it requires 3 AAA batteries. The fact that this controller requires triple-A batteries instead of double-A batteries is worse for me, since I have have rechargeable double-As (and the recharger doesn't take triple-As).

Jipcy @ Dec 9th 2007 3:49AM

Whoops, didn't see that they linked to the Dell page using the Read link.

And, I also just discovered that my battery recharger DOES support AAA batteries. Looks like I'll have to get this.

thadwhit @ Dec 9th 2007 7:01AM

Well I went ahead and ordered one. We only have 3 controllers for our Gamecube, and need a fourth for Mario Kart. Hope it works. I think I might like finishing Twilight Princess (GC) with this thing as well, as the rumble will be nice.