Wii Warm Up: Even more classic
by JC Fletcher 
{ Nov 22nd 2008 at 10:30AM }
Don't take this as a slight, since we adore old systems --this is merely a conversation topic. Is there something about the Super Famicom/SNES controller, or any other pre-N64 controller (we understand that the N64 controller has a unique form factor and button layout), that makes it inherently superior to the Classic in non-nostalgia-related ways? We miss the turbo switches from the TurboPad, but Hori's finally got a solution for that.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bowser the Baptist @ Nov 22nd 2008 10:41AM
The dogbone was always inferior to the six button layout of the Mega Drive/Saturn. I always preferred those Sega era controllers due to their closeness to the arcade fighting games that were common during the 90s. The dogbone isn't bad, mind. But the 64 controller, phew. The less said about that the better.
Abscissa @ Nov 22nd 2008 5:25PM
The N64 controller was great - *IF* you were playing a DPad type of game. Problem is, most of the games were ones that were better off with A-Stick control. That's when the controller turned to shit.
Grey Acumen @ Nov 22nd 2008 7:05PM
provided you knew how to hold the controller, it was perfect, period.
I cannot count the number of people I have wanted to smack cause they couldn't figure out how to hold the stupid controller, or were holding it wrong and just never knew. Right hand always goes on right side of controller with thumb on the 6 buttons and forefinger on the R button.
For Dpad game, the left hand goes on the left side, with thumb on Dpad and forefinger on L button. For Analog games, the left hand does NOT go on the right side, it goes in the CENTER, forefinger on Z button and thumb on Analog stick.
The analog mode is exclusionary to the dpad mode, games that used the analog stick (that weren't designed by total dipwads) only used the Z button, and not the L button or the dpad, except possibly for VERY minor actions.
With that said, this controller doesn't impress me. What would impress me is if they made a classic N64 controller for the Wii. THAT would actually be useful. The Cstick on GC controller is usually okay for emulating the cbuttons on a N64 controller, but there are various cases where it doesn't work well.
DaisukeKiriyama @ Nov 22nd 2008 10:54AM
I grew up with an SNES controller in my hand for about 80% of the time.
Of course I'm gonna have an attachment to that over other controllers.
Alexisonfire @ Nov 22nd 2008 11:22AM
I would so jump on the chance to get a NES or SNES controller. They both just are so iconic and playing games from those systems is just not the same without having those controllers in your hand.
I don't think I have enough NES games to warrant a purchase of a controller, but a large majority of my games are SNES games. And I'd like to play those games more authentically. And let me tell you, I've never been able to Hadouken quite as well on any other controller as compared to the SNES pad.
From what I've played of the N64 games I have for VC, I much prefer the Classic Controller. By today's standards, the analog stick on the N64 is laughably bad. And although you don't have a good trigger button, the L button works just fine for most games ( I don't think it would for games like Goldeneye or Perfect Dark, but they'll never be released on the service anyway).
And the genesis? No. Just... No. I never liked those controllers. They hurt my hands, the d-pad always felt awkward, and (worst of all) the cord was all of 5 inches long. I know that last one could be fixed, but how the hell are you suppose to not sit a foot from the tv when the controllers were so short?
Bowser the Baptist @ Nov 22nd 2008 11:41AM
"5 inches long. I know that last one could be fixed"
That's what she said.
otis @ Nov 22nd 2008 11:47AM
i think that its the familiarity with the old controllers that makes them so much better. the classic controller just looks like if apple made a game controller. still works great tho but doesnt capture the complete feel of retro gaming.
TheOverlord#2(AC FC: 1161-3212-7729 Pre-Game Night: Wednesday 7pm) @ Nov 22nd 2008 12:02PM
Well, unless you're playing an N64 game, you don't need the analog sticks. And, I think the game would be much better if you could use an actual "classic controller."
Mr Khan @ Nov 22nd 2008 12:07PM
Never had an SNES (didn't get into gaming until i was 10, and that was 1999), so whenever i actually try that controller, it just feels awkward
As do most setups without an analogue stick, though
Gewurz Man got equipped with... Guitar Hero! @ Nov 22nd 2008 12:12PM
As far as pre-analog control goes, it's a toss up between the SNES and the first PS controller. They have a similar enough button layout that you could easily transfer skills learned on the SNES to a PS game (e.g. Mega Man X).
I would say the main reason classic controllers seem ideal for VC games over THE Classic controller is that the analog sticks are useless and in the way.
Yan @ Nov 22nd 2008 1:07PM
i always wanted to get this but its just too expensive. i wonder if NoA will ever release it here in the states with their purple/lavender buttons
TheOverlord#2(AC FC: 1161-3212-7729 Pre-Game Night: Wednesday 7pm) @ Nov 22nd 2008 1:59PM
If it makes it easier for them, they can(Read: should) release them in the Super Famicom colors.
Gannon @ Nov 22nd 2008 1:18PM
The classic controller is great for 2d gaming and even slightly surpasses the original Super Famicom one. However, the GC controller is much better suited for 3d gaming, specialy N64 games. Please, big N, gives us a white Wavebird with rumble and a wiimote dpad.
darthbuckets @ Nov 22nd 2008 3:29PM
Would buy 4....
If they made it bluetooth and put some firmware (or hardware in Wii2) to support using them with Bluetooth on GC games, it would be total win.
Jace @ Nov 22nd 2008 4:15PM
I've said this before and I'll keep saying it, but this product is more of a nostalgia piece than a quality gaming device. After a couple of months with mine it has broken in a little bit (in a good way) but still has this sort of cotton-under-the-buttons squishiness that causes me to prefer the regular CC.
Abscissa @ Nov 22nd 2008 5:25PM
"Is there something about the Super Famicom/SNES controller...that makes it inherently superior to the Classic in non-nostalgia-related ways?"
Oh hell yes:
- The DPad is a vastly superior.
- It's *NOT* the world's flimsiest controller (including third parties).
- The cord comes out the top.
- Plus, it just simply looks a lot nicer.
Nebinator @ Nov 22nd 2008 5:29PM
I don't get why this is $70! I'll just buy an adapter for my snes controller!
ChaoticTails @ Nov 22nd 2008 10:38PM
I happened to find a third-party SNES controller with turbo for every button but Select (but it does have Start!)
Equipped with a SNES Retroport, it gets the job done, plus there is a USB adapter for the PC!
It rocks.
Knoxximus @ Nov 23rd 2008 2:09PM
I have 2 of those...one is the ASCII pad I think and some off brand pad...I remember I picked them both up for SF2THF and Killer Instinct back in 93-94(?). Good times.
I also have this SNES classic controller, old school SNES controllers and multiple Retroports, and I prefer the SNES CC the best.
However, I recently picked the up the Nyko Wing and I am THOROUGHLY impressed. It's all I've been using recently.
Knoxximus @ Nov 23rd 2008 2:10PM
Oh yeah, I also have that Hudson NES controller that had the simulated stereo outs. I understand it's pretty damn rare.
knohbody @ Nov 24th 2008 8:13AM
I think the old controllers are better for older games because the games were made for the controller. The layout of the classic controller is similar to the SNES controller... so that helps... but have you tried playing a game where you're required to press the z button? It's tiny.. There's also the fact that alot of people who buy the vc games are older gamers, and their muscle memory is somewhat dependent on the feel of the controller.
Havoc817 @ Nov 24th 2008 5:39PM
I just can't believe they disappeared so quickly.
Havoc817 @ Nov 24th 2008 5:50PM
Totally.
sixtyfps @ Jan 5th 2009 6:01PM
I know I'm late as hell with this, but the shoulder buttons on the Classic Controller are crap. Who even uses the pre-click function? "Sliiiide, thunk" is inferior to a simple "Thunk" for classic gaming.
Even if the slide were to register the same as a button press, it'd be a lump of crap because there'd always be a divide between any given user's expectations and tolerance/threshold settings.