This month, Nintendo will begin offering this awesome new Wii controller, which seems like it'll be just perfect for things like Super Smash Bros. Brawl and GameCube games. Mostly (entirely) because it's a GameCube controller! That's right, Nintendo is manufacturing their dead system's controller again for sale to Wii owners.However, this isn't the same old GameCube controller you didn't play Cubivore with! The new version comes in Wii white (of course) and has a 3 meter (10 foot) cord that is 50% longer than the regular GameCube controllers. Which leads us to ask: why didn't they go with the Gamecube controller with the really long, and also intangible, cord?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-09-2008 @ 2:28PM
kevin said...
Is there a technical limitation that would keep them from making a gamecube-like controller that plugs in to the remote like the classic controller? That seems like it would be a good solution for those of us with only one wavebird.
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4-09-2008 @ 2:34PM
jmf said...
They shouldn't have stopped making the wavebirds....they go for like $80 on ebay now.
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4-09-2008 @ 7:19PM
Max Headroom said...
You can very occassionally find one in GameStop or EB. I picked up one a few months back for about $17.
4-09-2008 @ 2:38PM
koehler83 said...
Cut the cord or I'm keeping my Classic Controller.. I don't really like it, but my Wii is across the damn room. I'm not about to move it and I'll be damned if I'm going back to corded anything now!
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4-09-2008 @ 2:39PM
Randy said...
I wish Nintendo would re-issue the Wavebird. I'd buy two of them in a heartbeat. I already have 3 GC controllers in used, but excellent condition. But I can't/don't use them anymore because my two year-old would likely yank the cords and bring my Wii crashing down from the shelf above my TV. Relocating the Wii is also not an option for me b/c of the aforementioned two year-old.
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4-09-2008 @ 2:40PM
jsa3mm said...
Bring back the wavebird! I have one I use and one still in it's original packaging, but I want more!
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4-09-2008 @ 3:01PM
Brendon said...
Hey! I played Cubivore, and still do from time to time. Now there's a game perfectly suited for a Wii waggle update.
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4-09-2008 @ 3:14PM
Jumbo said...
Pretty.
But they need a white wavebird.
I'd buy 4.
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4-09-2008 @ 3:15PM
Dreganfyre said...
Oh man, after I already went and bought those imitation GameCube controllers and some extension cords. :(
I too wish they would bring back the Wavebirds!
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4-09-2008 @ 3:19PM
koehler83 said...
No! No wavebirds! Wavebirds need ugly dongles sticking out of your Wii!
Bluetooth Gamecube controllers! Bluetooth!
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4-09-2008 @ 3:23PM
Jay said...
WITH RUMBLE
4-09-2008 @ 3:30PM
Dreganfyre said...
But they can't do Bluetooth for GameCube... Bluetooth is only available in Wii mode, AFAIK.
... Although they could make some just for Brawl :)
4-09-2008 @ 8:55PM
Jay said...
the gamecube also uses an ADAPTOR
you just wouldn't use it with the wii
4-09-2008 @ 3:35PM
hvnlysoldr said...
So that's why they started cutting back on controllers. Still looking for some.
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4-09-2008 @ 3:36PM
worm said...
Wavebird for President!
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4-09-2008 @ 3:55PM
Colino said...
Not too sound elitist or picky, but the choice of not using the wave bird also has an explanation.
No pro smash player plays with wavebird because the wireless connection causes some milliseconds of lag compared to wired. That's a noticeable time frame for a pro player XD
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4-09-2008 @ 3:59PM
JC Fletcher said...
I'm glad somebody finally thought of the pro players.
4-09-2008 @ 10:41PM
Gewurztraminer (needs more umlaut) said...
Is that true? I thought I saw this happening with my own Wavebird but wasn't sure. I think I tossed a perfectly good pair of batteries for the cause as well.
4-10-2008 @ 12:51AM
worm said...
This is not true. I was a pro Smash Melee player and frequently used Wavebirds. As far as timing of button presses goes, the Wavebird and wired controller are completely indistinguishable. Even to someone, like me, who cares about frames that are 1/60th of a second long, there's no difference.
4-10-2008 @ 9:22PM
Gewurztraminer says: R.O.B. is the last Cylon! said...
@ worm: I never noticed any delay with Melee; it's only with Brawl that I started to. hm.
4-09-2008 @ 4:30PM
James said...
I got a 3rd-party wireless controller (I think it was this one: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Mad-Catz-GameCube-MicroCON-Wireless-Controller-MOV556860/sem/rpsm/oid/132988/catOid/-16540/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do)
and haven't had any problems -- 20 bucks, in store. If I had to complain, it seems like the analog stick is a little too touchy in SSBB, but it sounds like a lot of other people have had that problem as well.
I also got GC controller extension cords for like 3 bucks each in the used section at Gamestop -- that's a hell of a deal.
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4-09-2008 @ 4:31PM
zldaphreek said...
what if they made a "wavebird 2" that ran on the same wireless connection that the current wii-motes use? is that really so hard to do?
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4-09-2008 @ 4:45PM
Andazeus said...
Yes, because that would not be compatible with gamecube games.
However, they could just do a Wavebird refresh with a smaller receiver and some rumble.
With games like Fire Emblem, Brawl and Mario Kart supporting it, I'm sure it would sell very well.
4-09-2008 @ 5:32PM
zldaphreek said...
a simple hardware update from ninty could fix that. think about the possibilities....
4-09-2008 @ 8:58PM
Jay said...
If it was bluetooth they could have a reciever for gamecube use, and for the wii, just sync right to the console
4-09-2008 @ 4:55PM
ArmorForVictor said...
hope this becomes available in the us soon because i will definitely pick it up. i still need to pass wind waker and metroid prime. this would fix the problem i'm having with my original gc controller cord not being long enough and i get it in spiffy wii white too. also don't know what everyone is raving about the wavebird for since it has no rumble. come on people i know it's wireless, but no rumble?
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4-09-2008 @ 10:44PM
Gewurztraminer (needs more umlaut) said...
I know... I've long forgotten about rumble for that reason. But hey, if Sony can get rid of rumble and not have any complaints then... oh, right.
4-11-2008 @ 3:17PM
ArmorForVictor said...
that's funny you say that since i own a ps3 and just bought a Dualshock 3 because i missed rumble too much. i know it's last gen, but that doesn't mean we just leave it behind. feels good to have rumble back though :)
4-09-2008 @ 4:58PM
Patius said...
WOOO! LONG CORDS! I'M BUYING
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4-09-2008 @ 5:27PM
Joe Cart said...
give me wii mote + nunchuck any day...
only because I never played Melee... and i've already gotten used to the mote and chuck
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4-09-2008 @ 10:43PM
Fist Drark said...
Yeah, all you gamecube controller heads need to get with the times. Wiimote + Nunchuck is where it's really at!
4-09-2008 @ 7:19PM
Nebinator said...
Why don't I just get a wavebird...
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4-09-2008 @ 7:25PM
EcnobA said...
My question is...does it comes with accelerometer like the wiimote?
if I really want to play brawl like a pro I use the wiimote and nunchuck like how it was mend to be.
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4-09-2008 @ 7:50PM
Bergasa said...
Actually, Sakurai, the developer of Brawl said that his favorite controller to use is the Gamecube pad, so I don't think the Wiimote + nunchuk combo was what the game was designed for.
Actually, I find that least accommodating.
4-09-2008 @ 11:51PM
SoshiKitai said...
But I can actually make the Wiimote-nunchuk combo work, and I've beaten gamecube controller pro-players with it too!
I've never had problems with tap jump, never had a problem with combos, never had a problem with grabs, never had a problem with any complaints that were given about Wiimote-nunchuk.
But that's because I lost in a Brawl competition that used ONLY wiimote-nunchuk combo... so I HAD to get better with it. :)
It feels natural to me. Even more than the GC controller.
4-09-2008 @ 7:57PM
WiiFTW said...
If only they had these in the U.S. before I had to buy 2 used controllers for Brawl...the thumbsticks are as loose as Paris Hilton (read: really fucking loose). oh well...
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4-09-2008 @ 8:06PM
EcnobA said...
@ bergasa
not at all...the Wiimote + nunchuk is the best experience i had playing brawl. at the beginning i did play with the old game cube controller but then i just started playing with the Wiimote + nunchuk and it did felt weird at first but i got used to it and with the small speaker that sometimes makes sound while I'm brawling makes the experience more joyfully.
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4-10-2008 @ 12:08PM
Bergasa said...
I do agree about the speaker, that's a neat touch. I'm just saying that I find (of the four possible control methods) the Wiimote + nunchuk least comfortable. Something about jumping with a trigger button seems weird to me.
Having said that, I do like the Wiimote on its side. I usually switch between that and a GCN pad.
4-09-2008 @ 8:08PM
Max Headroom said...
Does anyone know if anyone sells wireless SNES controllers for the GameCube? I want to play MegaMan Anniversary Collection, but the standard Cube Controllers aren't doing it for me.
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4-10-2008 @ 2:41PM
Spekkio said...
Check out www.retrousb.com. It's not exactly what you're looking for, but it's the closest thing that I'm aware of.
4-09-2008 @ 9:02PM
Polecat said...
So here's a crazy question.....
Why doesn't some 3rd party manufacturing outfit create an adaptor that plugs into the bottom of the wiimote. That way you can have your wiimote functionality, and have your GCN junk right in your hand. A quick update could make it so you could use it for VC games, and in GC mode. Sounds crazy, I know. I mean why would Nintendo want sales of their "classic" remote to dwindle, right? Maybe I'm just loco though.
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4-10-2008 @ 10:04AM
Randy said...
The HW bits that drive the GC games in the Wii cannot see or make use of the Bluetooth receiver in the Wii.
That said, I'm surprised Nintendo or a third party hasn't done something like the NES Satelite but instead of IR, it would use RF. you plug a transmitter/receiver device into the 4 GC controller ports on the Wii. And then the GC controllers can plug into the Satelite device on your living room table/floor/etc.
Bam! semi-Wireless love.
4-09-2008 @ 9:19PM
buckyboy28 said...
What we need is a wavebird with an accelerometer! If you haven't thrown a wii remote into your television yet, this will certainly sail into your brand new plasma screen with a great velocity!
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4-09-2008 @ 10:30PM
TheWarlock said...
bah, just gimme the side-ways wiimote any day for brawling. Its the one controller that I've seen which is most responsive to quick attacks.
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4-11-2008 @ 3:25AM
Umut said...
Nintendo: Please bring back the Wavebird!!!!
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