classic controller posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Thrustmaster's new classic controller lacks wires, point

by Kyle Orland { Sep 14th 2007 at 1:57PM }

Readers with good memories probably remember our annoyance at having a dangling remote and wire sitting on our lap when using the Wii's classic controller. So you'd probably think we're psyched about Thrustmaster's recently-announced wireless classic controller. But we're not.

For one, Nyko's classic controller grip pretty already solves the problem elegantly for less than half the price of Thrustmaster's $18 controller.

Secondly, this thing is a monstrosity, with ugly aqua blue rubber on the grips and analog sticks and a bloated design that reminds us of the PS3's scrapped boomerang controller.

Finally, the thing is really just a wireless GameCube controller with a modified button layout. Besides meaning less-than-perfect compatibility, this also means the unit requires an ugly dongle that hangs down from one of the GameCube slots on your Wii. At that point you might as well just go with the better-designed WaveBird, or just make your own solution. In either case, you can probably just skip this cash-in accessory.

[Via WiiFanboy]

Fire Emblem astounds and amazes

by Alisha Karabinus { Feb 19th 2007 at 7:55PM }

The official Japanese Wii site has updated with a new Fire Emblem video that is bound to bring a smile to the face of even the coldest and most hardcore among us. The girl test-driving the game -- classic controller in hand -- demonstrates exactly how we tend to feel when caught up in trying to puzzle out the details on Goddess of Dawn: enthralled and focused, with a slight dash of WTF. The game releases in Japan later this week, and we've got our fingers crossed for more footage.

To see the video, just head over to the Wii site in the source link.

Fire Emblem Wii TV ad focuses on Classic Controller

by Jonti Davies { Feb 19th 2007 at 12:15PM }

One of Famitsu's criticisms of Fire Emblem: Dawn Goddess, which is released in Japan this Thursday, is that the game makes no particular use of the Wii's Remote. This could have been a GameCube release. But it's not, and yet there remains a perfectly adequate way to play Fire Emblem: get a Classic Controller (which is just what the girl in Nintendo's latest TV ad has done). Click through to see the TV spot and notice the girl's surprisingly honest facial expression -- does Classic Control mean profound boredom?

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

Continued →

Wii to get original downloadable titles, 'Game Channel' possible

by James Ransom-Wiley { Jan 26th 2007 at 9:41AM }

Remarks made by Hudson Entertainment director of marketing John Lee, during an interview with Game Informer, have sparked rumor that a 'Game Channel,' dealing in original downloadable titles, could be headed to Wii. Lee didn't make any specific implications, but did cleverly acknowledge that Nintendo had plans to distribute original downloadable games. When asked if Hudson had plans to do so, Lee claimed, "No," but added, "However, in the future, you should rephrase that question to: Are there any plans to launch original content on some downloadable service on the Wii, and you might get a different answer."

CVG brought the issue up with Nintendo, which responded, "We cannot confirm at this time in what format the new content will be delivered, but in the future there will be original games available for download through the Wii Shop." While still unconfirmed, it's likely that Nintendo could launch a new Channel to further separate original games, once purchased from Wii Shop Channel, from Virtual Console fare. We also suspect that most of these new offerings will utilize the Wiimote (and Nunchuk) instead of the Classic Controller.

Wii puzzler drops GCN controller support

by Ross Miller { Jan 12th 2007 at 9:22PM }

Mercury Meltdown Revolution, the only Wii title so far to hint at its former nickname, has dropped support for the GameCube controller as previously planned; however, using the classic controller is still just fine and dandy.

Ed Bradley, studio manager for MMR developer Ignition Entertainment, told Eurogamer that "we've had to drop support for the GameCube controller as it's a very much 'at developers own risk' proposition and we're not masochists!" The context is not entirely clear, but our best guess is that, while a library of code for the classic controller may be provided by Nintendo, the burden of programming for GCN ports is on the developer and Bradley didn't feel like expending the resources.

Here's our worry: remember when Smash Bros. Brawl producer Masahiro Sakurai revealed that GameCube controllers would be compatible, so as not to alienate those who prefer the traditional -- dare we say classic -- control scheme? What if Nintendo's beat-em-up only supports the classic controller attachment? The cynic in us fears Nintendo would nix GCN controller support in order to sell a few more attachments. Not that it's a bad attachment, mind you, but we already have so many GCN controllers lying around that we don't want them to go to waste.

Classic Controller cable where it was meant to be: On top

by Zack Stern { Dec 21st 2006 at 5:55AM }

The Wii hacks keep rolling out. This simple Classic Controller hack fixes it so that the cable comes out of the gamepad the right way. Instead of dribbling out of the bottom of the controller, the cable stands proud, burrowing out of a hole cut into the top.

This is how our controllers have always behaved, and we'd sooner live in caves than game with the cable coming out of the bottom. Classic Controller hacker, Nintendo Gal, we salute you.

[Via digg]

There's a Wiimote in my pocket (Wii annoyance #005)

by James Ransom-Wiley { Nov 20th 2006 at 8:30PM }

The Classic Controller hid the awkward lap placement shown on the packaging insert

Dangling from the end of the Classic Controller is the Wiimote. What are we supposed to do with this thing?

Some have speculated that Nintendo will release a device (a separate purchase?) that will allow the Wiimote to be clipped to the back of the Classic Controller; however, this still wouldn't eliminate that pesky cable connecting the two controllers. For now, we're forced to rest the Wiimote awkwardly on our laps or stuff it into our pockets -- we suppose duct tape is an option too. Our advice: stick with GameCube's wireless Wavebird for all your Virtual Console needs (it's only about $10 more than the Classic Controller and it's more compatible to boot!).

Wii delights vs. Wii annoyances
PS3 delights vs. PS3 annoyances
Xbox 360 delights vs. Xbox 360 annoyances

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]

Virtual Console's N64 titles don't rumble

by James Ransom-Wiley { Nov 9th 2006 at 4:20PM }

CVG reports Nintendo 64 Virtual Console games will lack rumble feedback. Not only will the Classic Controller be without rumble support, but the GameCube controller's jiggliness will be nonfunctional when used to play N64 downloads.

It's disappointing that this feature was cut. While not compatible with every title*, the Rumble Pak was one of N64's most significant innovations. How about a patch to support the GameCube controller?

*There are a ton that are compatible!