DIY Nintendo Wii Classic Controller clip holds your Wiimote (so you don't have to)

by Ross Miller { Feb 19th 2007 at 11:45AM }

Tired of waiting for Nintendo to produce a solution, Chris Williams, a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering, made his own clip to attach a Wii remote to the Classic Controller, handily solving one of our Wii annoyances. All it took was three hours of labor and some high-tech equipment to make Williams something of a hero in Nintendo circles.

This clip is smoking hot -- now if only a certain company would mass produce it. Your move, MadCatz Nintendo. Explanation after the break and within the gallery.

Gallery: DIY Wii Classic Controller clip

"I thought you guys might be interested in a little weekend project of mine. I fabricated a clip that attaches the Wiimote to the Classic Controller, using the 'mysterious' 3rd shoulder button.

"I've always hypothesized that the 'mystery' button (un)connects an as-of-yet unreleased clip that would allow you to attach your Wiimote to the Classic Controller. The idea being that such a thing would be good for (a) getting the Wiimote out of the way and (b) for any games that may want to have a mix between dual-analog controls and motion-sensitive controls.

"I'm working on my PhD in mechanical engineering, and as such I spent some time in my research lab over the weekend working on graduating. I figured that while I was there, I'd spend some time trying to bring this hypothesis to fruition. So, using the lab's Stereolithography machine (a type of rapid prototyping machine), I made a clip. It took about an hour to draw in CAD, and it took the machine about 2 hours to make it.

"You feed it a CAD model, the computer slices it into cross-sections, and then the part is built one cross-section at a time. SLA does this by tracing a UV laser over a vat of photo-polymer resin -- a viscous material that solidifies once it is exposed to concentrated UV light. One layer is made via a series of laser scans, the part is lowered deeper into the vat, a new layer of resin is spread over it, and the process repeats itself. "

Tags: classic controller, ClassicController, diy, hack, hacks, make, mod, modding, Nintendo, nintendo wii, NintendoWii, wii, wii mote, wii remote, WiiMote

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Skippy @ Feb 19th 2007 11:55AM

I really don't understand why so many people whine about the classic controller plugging into the Wiimote. This "solution" appears to be way more cumbersome; wouldn't the controller be really heavy now?

Nicholas Sulikowski @ Feb 19th 2007 12:01PM

The point of it is for games that require more buttons than the Wiimote and Nunchaku can provide. With the clip, you have a full array of buttons at your disposal, plus the motion sensing and possibly pointing features of the Wiimote.

Karen @ Feb 19th 2007 12:07PM

Doing this would also adds rumble to the Classic controller. Which would be nice for the N64 games.

Norm @ Feb 19th 2007 12:08PM

I just put my wii remote on the floor or on the coffee table. That cord is long enough for it to be a non-issue for me. I dunno, maybe people use bar stools or something when playing in front of their tv?

Muku @ Feb 19th 2007 12:11PM

Hah, sorry, but that is really a lame idea. Whether a clip is suppose to go there or not, I wouldn't get it. Or maybe Nintendo thought it would be a good idea, then nix'd it. Seriously, why do I want to weigh down my classic controller? I just let the Wiimote lay next to me as I use the classic controller. Not to mention the classic controller has all the stuff we'd need to play the older games.

David @ Feb 19th 2007 12:13PM

This seems really dumb and pointless, but the Classic Controler is also really dumb and pointless too.

Spottednigel @ Feb 19th 2007 12:20PM

"This seems really dumb and pointless, but the Classic Controler is also really dumb and pointless too."
Except it works really well and the d-pad is amazing.

My hope is that it allows for games with a regular pad set up and the inclusion of motion sensing (and rumble, why not?)

mike @ Feb 19th 2007 12:32PM

that was my idea :( i seriously thought bout this when i saw te clasic controller

Randy @ Feb 19th 2007 12:38PM

I am in favor of this concept and the depth it could bring to some games. It would be a quick cheap accessory to add in a game to changeup the controls in a way that most other quick cheap accessories don't. The sterring wheel and nerf accessories don't add real gameplay value. This could.

Mr Khan @ Feb 19th 2007 12:56PM

I just leave the Wiimote lying on the floor, i never saw a problem...

Number One @ Feb 19th 2007 1:05PM

Like the Sixaxis but better. Might be a tad heavy though. But light things make me fear Ill drop them.

steve17 @ Feb 19th 2007 1:42PM

come on u guys. seriously now. the wiimote wieghs like 8 ounces and the classic prolly not much either. if u are complaining its too heavy maby stop playing so many games and hit up a gym

Muku @ Feb 19th 2007 1:48PM

"come on u guys. seriously now. the wiimote wieghs like 8 ounces and the classic prolly not much either. if u are complaining its too heavy maby stop playing so many games and hit up a gym"

Yes it's light, but why add the extra weight to a controller when it is not needed? It's more cumbersome with it that way. Why attach it when you don't have to? I'd much rather leave it laying on the floor in front of me than have it attached as an oversized controller. Just my two cents, but then again I don't find the Wiimote on the floor to be a bother enough to think it warrants attaching to my classic controller.

Blink @ Feb 19th 2007 1:55PM

DIY?

I'd call that false advertising. :P

But dang, I'd love to have one of these.

Almadi @ Feb 19th 2007 2:01PM

I got tired TOO!!!
Although I am not a PhD student (merely a masters student in Industrial Engineering), you may want to check out my design at:

http://madiart.blogspot.com/

joel @ Feb 19th 2007 2:10PM

Or you could just use a Wavebird wireless Gamecube controller and call it a day.

tatatata @ Feb 19th 2007 4:03PM

Spaustuve

crowt14 @ Feb 19th 2007 7:35PM

dude, can you give me the CAD file? i have access to a rapid prototyping machine...

Hoover @ Feb 20th 2007 11:40AM

I'll stick with the duct tape.

Jeremy @ Feb 20th 2007 5:34PM

Can you post an STL, IGUS or STEP file so the rest of us that have access to a machine can print one?

Scottus0 @ Feb 20th 2007 8:58PM

Is everyone in the world except for me insane? Before the Wii was released, a couple Nintendo execs had mentioned that there would be a clip for the Wii Remote to attach to the back of the classic controller, much like this one. The main purpose of which was to allow for a faithful reproduction of the N64 controller. If attached right behind one of the control sticks, the B button could be used as a Z button and all would be well. The console was released, the clip never showed, and nobody but me remembers it? And on top of that people are calling this a great original idea...

CDubb @ Feb 21st 2007 12:49PM

@ Scottus0: source?

PaintedMidget @ Feb 23rd 2007 10:44PM

Scottus0 I remember that completely. Infact when I bought my classic controler, I looked through the box it came in trying to find it and even asked the store clerk saying it wasn't in my box and I needed a new one. That idea existed completely, and was scrapped by Nintendo. Im sure a third party will release it someday though. For those who want a link to prove this statement...here.

http://blogs.ign.com/Mid90sMatt/2007/02/13/46669/

Bye.