New Wii controller looks useful for Brawl

by JC Fletcher { Apr 9th 2008 at 2:15PM }

This month, Nintendo will begin offering this awesome new Wii controller, which seems like it'll be just perfect for things like Super Smash Bros. Brawl and GameCube games. Mostly (entirely) because it's a GameCube controller! That's right, Nintendo is manufacturing their dead system's controller again for sale to Wii owners.

However, this isn't the same old GameCube controller you didn't play Cubivore with! The new version comes in Wii white (of course) and has a 3 meter (10 foot) cord that is 50% longer than the regular GameCube controllers. Which leads us to ask: why didn't they go with the Gamecube controller with the really long, and also intangible, cord?

Tags: controller, gamecube, smash-bros-brawl

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

kevin @ Apr 9th 2008 2:28PM

Is there a technical limitation that would keep them from making a gamecube-like controller that plugs in to the remote like the classic controller? That seems like it would be a good solution for those of us with only one wavebird.

jmf @ Apr 9th 2008 2:34PM

They shouldn't have stopped making the wavebirds....they go for like $80 on ebay now.

Max Headroom @ Apr 9th 2008 7:19PM

You can very occassionally find one in GameStop or EB. I picked up one a few months back for about $17.

koehler83 @ Apr 9th 2008 2:38PM

Cut the cord or I'm keeping my Classic Controller.. I don't really like it, but my Wii is across the damn room. I'm not about to move it and I'll be damned if I'm going back to corded anything now!

Randy @ Apr 9th 2008 2:39PM

I wish Nintendo would re-issue the Wavebird. I'd buy two of them in a heartbeat. I already have 3 GC controllers in used, but excellent condition. But I can't/don't use them anymore because my two year-old would likely yank the cords and bring my Wii crashing down from the shelf above my TV. Relocating the Wii is also not an option for me b/c of the aforementioned two year-old.

jsa3mm @ Apr 9th 2008 2:40PM

Bring back the wavebird! I have one I use and one still in it's original packaging, but I want more!

Brendon @ Apr 9th 2008 3:01PM

Hey! I played Cubivore, and still do from time to time. Now there's a game perfectly suited for a Wii waggle update.

Jumbo @ Apr 9th 2008 3:14PM

Pretty.

But they need a white wavebird.

I'd buy 4.

Dreganfyre @ Apr 9th 2008 3:15PM

Oh man, after I already went and bought those imitation GameCube controllers and some extension cords. :(

I too wish they would bring back the Wavebirds!

koehler83 @ Apr 9th 2008 3:19PM

No! No wavebirds! Wavebirds need ugly dongles sticking out of your Wii!

Bluetooth Gamecube controllers! Bluetooth!

Jay @ Apr 9th 2008 3:23PM

WITH RUMBLE

Dreganfyre @ Apr 9th 2008 3:30PM

But they can't do Bluetooth for GameCube... Bluetooth is only available in Wii mode, AFAIK.

... Although they could make some just for Brawl :)

Jay @ Apr 9th 2008 8:55PM

the gamecube also uses an ADAPTOR

you just wouldn't use it with the wii

hvnlysoldr @ Apr 9th 2008 3:35PM

So that's why they started cutting back on controllers. Still looking for some.

worm @ Apr 9th 2008 3:36PM

Wavebird for President!

Colino @ Apr 9th 2008 3:55PM

Not too sound elitist or picky, but the choice of not using the wave bird also has an explanation.

No pro smash player plays with wavebird because the wireless connection causes some milliseconds of lag compared to wired. That's a noticeable time frame for a pro player XD

JC Fletcher @ Apr 9th 2008 3:59PM

I'm glad somebody finally thought of the pro players.

Gewurztraminer (needs more umlaut) @ Apr 9th 2008 10:41PM

Is that true? I thought I saw this happening with my own Wavebird but wasn't sure. I think I tossed a perfectly good pair of batteries for the cause as well.

worm @ Apr 10th 2008 12:51AM

This is not true. I was a pro Smash Melee player and frequently used Wavebirds. As far as timing of button presses goes, the Wavebird and wired controller are completely indistinguishable. Even to someone, like me, who cares about frames that are 1/60th of a second long, there's no difference.

Gewurztraminer says: R.O.B. is the last Cylon! @ Apr 10th 2008 9:22PM

@ worm: I never noticed any delay with Melee; it's only with Brawl that I started to. hm.

James @ Apr 9th 2008 4:30PM

I got a 3rd-party wireless controller (I think it was this one: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Mad-Catz-GameCube-MicroCON-Wireless-Controller-MOV556860/sem/rpsm/oid/132988/catOid/-16540/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do)
and haven't had any problems -- 20 bucks, in store. If I had to complain, it seems like the analog stick is a little too touchy in SSBB, but it sounds like a lot of other people have had that problem as well.

I also got GC controller extension cords for like 3 bucks each in the used section at Gamestop -- that's a hell of a deal.

zldaphreek @ Apr 9th 2008 4:31PM

what if they made a "wavebird 2" that ran on the same wireless connection that the current wii-motes use? is that really so hard to do?

Andazeus @ Apr 9th 2008 4:45PM

Yes, because that would not be compatible with gamecube games.
However, they could just do a Wavebird refresh with a smaller receiver and some rumble.
With games like Fire Emblem, Brawl and Mario Kart supporting it, I'm sure it would sell very well.

zldaphreek @ Apr 9th 2008 5:32PM

a simple hardware update from ninty could fix that. think about the possibilities....

Jay @ Apr 9th 2008 8:58PM

If it was bluetooth they could have a reciever for gamecube use, and for the wii, just sync right to the console

ArmorForVictor @ Apr 9th 2008 4:55PM

hope this becomes available in the us soon because i will definitely pick it up. i still need to pass wind waker and metroid prime. this would fix the problem i'm having with my original gc controller cord not being long enough and i get it in spiffy wii white too. also don't know what everyone is raving about the wavebird for since it has no rumble. come on people i know it's wireless, but no rumble?

Gewurztraminer (needs more umlaut) @ Apr 9th 2008 10:44PM

I know... I've long forgotten about rumble for that reason. But hey, if Sony can get rid of rumble and not have any complaints then... oh, right.

ArmorForVictor @ Apr 11th 2008 3:17PM

that's funny you say that since i own a ps3 and just bought a Dualshock 3 because i missed rumble too much. i know it's last gen, but that doesn't mean we just leave it behind. feels good to have rumble back though :)

Patius @ Apr 9th 2008 4:58PM

WOOO! LONG CORDS! I'M BUYING

Joe Cart @ Apr 9th 2008 5:27PM

give me wii mote + nunchuck any day...

only because I never played Melee... and i've already gotten used to the mote and chuck

Fist Drark @ Apr 9th 2008 10:43PM

Yeah, all you gamecube controller heads need to get with the times. Wiimote + Nunchuck is where it's really at!

Nebinator @ Apr 9th 2008 7:19PM

Why don't I just get a wavebird...

EcnobA @ Apr 9th 2008 7:25PM

My question is...does it comes with accelerometer like the wiimote?

if I really want to play brawl like a pro I use the wiimote and nunchuck like how it was mend to be.

Bergasa @ Apr 9th 2008 7:50PM

Actually, Sakurai, the developer of Brawl said that his favorite controller to use is the Gamecube pad, so I don't think the Wiimote + nunchuk combo was what the game was designed for.

Actually, I find that least accommodating.

SoshiKitai @ Apr 9th 2008 11:51PM

But I can actually make the Wiimote-nunchuk combo work, and I've beaten gamecube controller pro-players with it too!
I've never had problems with tap jump, never had a problem with combos, never had a problem with grabs, never had a problem with any complaints that were given about Wiimote-nunchuk.

But that's because I lost in a Brawl competition that used ONLY wiimote-nunchuk combo... so I HAD to get better with it. :)
It feels natural to me. Even more than the GC controller.

WiiFTW @ Apr 9th 2008 7:57PM

If only they had these in the U.S. before I had to buy 2 used controllers for Brawl...the thumbsticks are as loose as Paris Hilton (read: really fucking loose). oh well...

EcnobA @ Apr 9th 2008 8:06PM

@ bergasa
not at all...the Wiimote + nunchuk is the best experience i had playing brawl. at the beginning i did play with the old game cube controller but then i just started playing with the Wiimote + nunchuk and it did felt weird at first but i got used to it and with the small speaker that sometimes makes sound while I'm brawling makes the experience more joyfully.

Bergasa @ Apr 10th 2008 12:08PM

I do agree about the speaker, that's a neat touch. I'm just saying that I find (of the four possible control methods) the Wiimote + nunchuk least comfortable. Something about jumping with a trigger button seems weird to me.

Having said that, I do like the Wiimote on its side. I usually switch between that and a GCN pad.

Max Headroom @ Apr 9th 2008 8:08PM

Does anyone know if anyone sells wireless SNES controllers for the GameCube? I want to play MegaMan Anniversary Collection, but the standard Cube Controllers aren't doing it for me.

Spekkio @ Apr 10th 2008 2:41PM

Check out www.retrousb.com. It's not exactly what you're looking for, but it's the closest thing that I'm aware of.

Polecat @ Apr 9th 2008 9:02PM

So here's a crazy question.....

Why doesn't some 3rd party manufacturing outfit create an adaptor that plugs into the bottom of the wiimote. That way you can have your wiimote functionality, and have your GCN junk right in your hand. A quick update could make it so you could use it for VC games, and in GC mode. Sounds crazy, I know. I mean why would Nintendo want sales of their "classic" remote to dwindle, right? Maybe I'm just loco though.

Randy @ Apr 10th 2008 10:04AM

The HW bits that drive the GC games in the Wii cannot see or make use of the Bluetooth receiver in the Wii.

That said, I'm surprised Nintendo or a third party hasn't done something like the NES Satelite but instead of IR, it would use RF. you plug a transmitter/receiver device into the 4 GC controller ports on the Wii. And then the GC controllers can plug into the Satelite device on your living room table/floor/etc.

Bam! semi-Wireless love.