People panic buying Classic Controllers

by Chris Greenhough { Jul 25th 2008 at 2:30PM }

The panicked consumer is a predictable beast. Upon hearing that the Wii's Classic Controller might be withdrawn from sale in the near future, more and more customers have been scurrying to pick up the sleek, Virtual Console-compatible pad. Sales at Amazon have shot up by 207% after a court threatened to ban further sales of the $19.99 peripheral unless Nintendo coughed up a bond.

As the Classic Controller is still on sale around the 'net, we can only assume that Nintendo did indeed pay up, though the company isn't out of the woods yet: Nintendo will be taking its appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, where it will hope to prevent an outright ban.

Tags: anascape, business, classic-controller, lawsuit, patent, patent-infringement

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ChunkyB @ Jul 25th 2008 2:39PM

I can admit it. I bought a classic controller yesterday, and the lawsuit was the whole reason. I knew that I would eventually want 2, but I wasn't in any hurry to get the second one until I heard about this lawsuit.

It still boggles my mind that Nintendo lost the suit. It's ridiculous.

Sonic_13 @ Jul 25th 2008 2:54PM

"we can only assume that Nintendo did indeed pay up,"

I believe Nintendo doesn't have to stop selling the controller or pay up until after the appeals process is finished.

And yes, I too find it crazy that Nintendo lost this. I would not be surprised at all to hear that the appeals court overturns this.

Good_Bytes @ Jul 25th 2008 3:01PM

They will just make a better improved one... probably with more buttons.

Microx @ Jul 25th 2008 3:18PM

is a Gamecube controller compatible with VC games? if it is, I've got nothing to worry about

Mr Khan @ Jul 25th 2008 4:14PM

Most games that are better played with the Classic Controller than the Wiimote are even better played with the GC controller. My only issue with that is that the GC controller doesn't have access to the HOME menu, which is needed for quick resets in some games (Radiant Dawn)

So really, no, the Classic Controller isn't essential for the GameCube enthusiast

mickeal @ Jul 26th 2008 8:30PM

Does the X + B + Start reset trick not work when playing Radiant Dawn with a GameCube controller? (I shipped RD back to Gamefly, so I can't check.)

Tristan @ Jul 25th 2008 3:34PM

This is so hilarious. The thought of seeing people running to their local WalMarts, Targets, and Gamestops, and Toy's R' US, and Circuit City's, and Best Buys, and other places just getting Classic Controllers by the boatloads.

Why wont they just pay and worry about the legislature later?

Mr.ESC @ Jul 25th 2008 3:58PM

I might buy one now.

I bought one of those DREAMGEAR Gamecube controllers, It felt kind of awkward at first but you get used to it also is wireless and it isn't as clunky as the Wavebird. I wish I could find a Wavebird or a Gamecube controller oh well the Dreamgear one isn't bad so it will do,I’m only using it for Smash anyway.

Brucie B @ Jul 25th 2008 4:10PM

LOL I'm planning on picking 1 up too!

Mr Khan @ Jul 25th 2008 4:15PM

What's up with all the posts lately crediting "Wii Fanboy Staff"?

Some new policy or something? Or are you all writing these via some sort of massive teleconference?

Angmar @ Jul 25th 2008 5:43PM

Maybe this: http://preview.tinyurl.com/5krbud

WhatIsThatThing @ Jul 25th 2008 9:02PM

Yikes. Sounds terrible.

I thought it was cool that AOL was expanding into gaming. But I knew they were up to something! Conspiracy!

Oh no, AOL people just busted down my door and are-ohnoconspiracybbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb

omg leik do not wry evrythng is fine lol me 2

Josh @ Jul 26th 2008 2:22PM

Shit, this sucks.

Tristan @ Aug 1st 2008 2:42PM

A bit late, but no wonder a few days this week there were slightly decreased amounts of posting.

CJLopez @ Jul 25th 2008 4:21PM

Jajajaja, 'll be Loling pretty hard if I get to hear that Nintendo payed the lawsuit using the money they got from the sails of classic controlers and gamecube one's, jajajajaja

Duke @ Jul 25th 2008 4:42PM

i picked one up 2 weeks ago at walmart for $10 and it came with a black skin. it was actually on the clearance rack.

Matt Young @ Jul 25th 2008 4:49PM

The patent is patently ridiculous anyways. I don't normally root for the big guy, but I feel as though Nintendo isn't in the wrong here whatsoever.

Matthew Pressler @ Jul 25th 2008 5:46PM

This is funny to me... I bought a classic controller at launch and have never opened it. I was actually getting ready to return it. Unless someone could give me a good reason to own it? I don't give a crap about VC games... any other reason to own one?

Sora @ Jul 26th 2008 10:20PM

Hmm, just hold onto it and see if it's banned or not. If it is...GOGO eBay!

Sara @ Jul 26th 2008 4:01PM

I just bought one used at gamestop with last week's 20% off coupon, but this was before I knew about the lawsuit, Geometry Wars Galaxies is a good reason to own it if you don't own any VC games, also for Castle of Shikigami 3, which I also own. It was well worth it especially at the price I paid.

Garst @ Jul 25th 2008 6:39PM

If the US court tries to tell me I have to buy an Anascape controller or nothing, I'll import. I won't give my money to an unknown company that has no tracable history.

Matt @ Jul 25th 2008 6:56PM

Hey all,

Nothing against the classic controller, but the whole reason I purchased the Wii in the first place was because of it's "non-classic controller" nature - that is, the remote! So, I don't see myself buying games that use only the classic contoller.

Actually, i bought A Wavebird and Mario Strikers for Gamecube to play on my wii. I loved the game, but didn't want to use the controller, so I bought the Wii version of Strikers.

I have since gotten rid of the wavebird. Never used it anymore...

Later,

Matt!