Genesis VC games don't work with GC controller? [update 1]
by Kyle Orland 
{ Nov 13th 2006 at 8:35PM }
Cruising around the Wii game pages on Nintendo.com, we noticed something a little odd in the listed "Extra Game Features" for the Wii's Genesis Virtual Console games. While other virtual console games all list support for the GameCube controller (and the Wii remote in the case of NES and TurboGrafx-16 games) all the Genesis game pages insist that you "use the Classic Controller to play this game." This contradicts an interview with CVG where Nintendo said "all virtual console games can be played using the Classic Controller or Nintendo GameCube pads," but seems in line with a note in the Wii manual that says "some Virtual Console games can only be played with a Classic Controller."The Genesis seems an odd system to single out for a lack of GameCube controller support, since the system's three buttons would map relatively easily to the GameCube's B, A and X buttons. Personally, we don't relish the idea of spending $40 for two classic controllers just to get some multiplayer Toejam and Earl action going, but we will if we must.
We've contacted Nintendo for confirmation on this matter and will update as soon as they get back to us.
[Update 1: Since launch it has become apparent that Genesis games do work with the Gamecube controller and occasionally with the Wii remote as well. The Nintendo game info. pages have been updated with this information.]
[Thanks to the commenters on this post for pointing us to this story]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Seemoneh @ Nov 13th 2006 9:53PM
"all virtual console games can be played using the Classic Controller or Nintendo GameCube pads,"
The "or" being key in this case.
There you have it.
Tondog @ Nov 13th 2006 8:47PM
MORE NINTENDO LIES!!!
Dopple Boppler @ Nov 13th 2006 8:49PM
Man, right when I read the title of this post the first game I thought of was Toejam and Earl. That and Gunstar Heroes were the only games I was even considering downloading off the Virtual Console until Super Metroid's released. Oh well, I suppose it's saving me money overall, but I was still looking forward to some good ol' co-op TJ&E.
Kengro @ Nov 13th 2006 8:50PM
Damn... The wii is soon as expencive as the 360, and still no hd or hdd in sight... Looks clearly like a no buy in my eyes
Jose Pagan @ Nov 13th 2006 8:51PM
The gamecube d pad is too small anyway. I wish there was a classic controller with wireless built in.
Matt @ Nov 13th 2006 8:51PM
Unrelated, but gamespy posted their Z:TP review
http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/legend-of-zelda-wii/745573p1.html
Dave Silva @ Nov 13th 2006 10:32PM
Most Genny games used the three button controller, but Sega eventually released a SIX button controller.
I wonder how they'll work around that little problem. Other than releasing a Genesis pad shell...
Kool_Kid_Joe @ Nov 13th 2006 9:04PM
Would the classic-style Wiimote work even barely? I mean, 2=B and 1=C or something like that? Come on, Nintendo! Stop fighting and agree that Sega isn't your enemy any more!
Jonn @ Nov 13th 2006 9:13PM
@3: Add the price of a memory card (means to save)and a game into the price of the core 360. Now it's what, $380?
Also, what does that have to do with the topic?
Ken @ Nov 13th 2006 9:21PM
Wow, I was really looking forward to buying a Wii, Zelda, and Toejam and Earl on launch day, but I guess I won't have that as an option. I hope a software upgrade comes around that enables GameCube controllers to be used, otherwise I will be quite pissed off.
Tim @ Nov 13th 2006 9:24PM
Just one more disappointing aspect to the once-anticipated VC.
http://www.playwii.com
Jacob @ Nov 13th 2006 9:34PM
I'm betting on wireless replicas of the original controllers... eventually. (That, or wired ones that plug into the remote.)
Darkness @ Nov 13th 2006 9:46PM
Keep in mind that those are Sega games and are released by Sega. It's up to Sega to make their games compatible with the Gamecube pad. Why Sega wouldn't do that is beyond me considering other games give that option. Kind of a bummer because I wanted Gunstar Heroes, but if I can't use a Gamecube pad, then I'll have to wait to get it. :(
Kevin @ Nov 13th 2006 9:45PM
"all virtual console games can be played using the Classic Controller or Nintendo GameCube pads,"
Well, it says OR, not AND. So that sounds like it means the games will use either the classic OR the Gamecube controller.
mr. bob @ Nov 13th 2006 10:05PM
man....people on this sight need to learn to chill out or somting....mabye nintendo has a good reson for doin this....mabye the new clasic controler for the wii works beter then a gc controler....mabye the game program dosen't work with the gc controler but it dose with the clasic.....nintendo has a good reson....if its not eny of those then its to make money wich you can't blame a big corpiration for doing...so guys take a chill pille and learn to look at the bright side...
{v_o} @ Nov 13th 2006 10:16PM
It sucks big time but can be fixed.
No VC online play? Update the emulator.
No GC support for Sega? Update the emulator.
No save/load states? Update the emulator.
As long as people keep bitching there's a chance Ninty will fix it via Connect24.
Someone needs to email Ninty a zip/rar of all the latest emulators so they can learn what to expect from the competition.
Splinter @ Nov 13th 2006 10:19PM
Wait, that doesnt make sense!?!?!
Look at the Genesis controller compared to the VC controller and the GC controller. The GC controller looks much more similar to the Genesis than the VC.
Just look at the diagram i made:
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j189/splintr/GC_VS_VC.jpg
Agrajag @ Nov 13th 2006 10:47PM
Did many games require the 6 button controller? I only remember the top buttons being optional on a few games.
"Add the price of a memory card (means to save)and a game into the price of the core 360. Now it's what, $380?"
And I'd recommend a good warranty or at the very least, an intercooler. :)
Bunn @ Nov 14th 2006 4:45AM
If that's true, the Wii just pushed itself to late 2007 for me. I was the biggest fanboy of the vc, but seems like I'm better off buying 4(2?) pc joypads and plugging my pc on the tv for old school action.
I'll buy the Wii when the good native games hit the bargain bin, thank you.
thon @ Nov 14th 2006 8:30AM
FYI guys the classic controller plugs in to the wii remote and is therefor 'wireless' in the sense that it doesn't plug in to the console.
Yeah the Classic costs another 20 bucks, however for those who don't have a gamecube controller or wavebird, its not such a big deal.
Wavebirds are more than what the classic costs new anyway!
Patrick @ Nov 14th 2006 11:57AM
@15:
They aren't going to add load/save state capability. That's cheating, and altering the original game experience, which it seems they are pretty determined to keep identical. I use it in emulators, I'm not trying to pull a high horse here, but the VC isn't supposed to compete with emulators, it's supposed to replicate the original, for better or for worse. Personally I will kind of laugh if the pause trick still owns the Clay Monster in Mega Man, but I digress.
I wish they would add an online play component, but I kind of doubt they will do that either.
GC Controller capability for all games is the most plausible to me (as well as most desirable) of those possible software updates, but it would also yoink accessory money out of Nintendo's hand, which they are pretty keen on. See the SP's headphone jack.
I have high hopes for software updates improving the Wii regularly, but I'm not optimistic about any of those 3 things happening.
I really wanted to play Tj&E with a wavebird, too.
Psykechan @ Nov 14th 2006 11:53AM
Look, all of the VC games listed at nintendo.com besides Genesis say that they support both the Classic controller and the GC controller. The reason that the Genesis ones don't say that the GC controller isn't supported is because the pages aren't finished yet.
I mean the Genesis are the only VC games that don't have ESRB ratings yet. Come on people.
You'll be able to use your Wavebird and other GC controllers to play Ristar and Columns. I guarantee it.*
(*guarantee not valid if this post is read out loud)
Foxaii @ Nov 14th 2006 12:38PM
Wait four days and see if it works or not. Chances are Nintendo have better things to do than make sure every VC game is updated on their website.
Sandy Vajin @ Nov 15th 2006 9:24AM
And just when I they had me convinced I'd be buying into their whole scheme.
Sorry guys, try again.
miii @ Dec 7th 2006 7:18AM
You can use Wii mote for genesis games but it is much easier to play em with classic controller. I don't have a GC controller so I can't say if that works or not.