Add to: My AOL, MyYahoo, Google, Bloglines

• Nintendo Wii Fanboy
• Web

Nintendo Wii Fanboy

Hacker makes Wii-friendly NES, SNES, N64 controllers

Posted Jun 14th 2008 5:30PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Virtual Console, Mods, Controller

The RetroUSB NES/SNES controller adapters enable gamers to easily attain a more genuine Virtual Console experience through the ability to use original controllers. Some hackers have gone even further, building custom circuitry into old equipment. Custom Nintendo themselves have contributed the Super Famicom Classic Controller to the cause of authentic retrogaming.

Raphnet's projects include not only adapters and fully-modded SNES and NES controllers, but also N64 solutions. Raphaël Assénat has documented the process of hacking custom controllers with custom circuit boards to allow them to work as Gamecube Controllers, and also sells adapters that let you plug N64 controllers directly into the Wii. People seem to like that controller for some reason.

Gallery: Retro Mods

Forget the GameCube, just nab the controller

Posted Jun 3rd 2008 3:00PM by Candace Savino
Filed under: Peripherals, Sales

When we told you about the $25 GameCubes at Target, many of you fine readers wanted to buy the system and then chuck it, keeping only the controller. Now, it seems like you won't have to go through all that trouble.

Amazon is selling GameCube controllers for $5 less than the MSRP, meaning that you can nab one for $20. Clearly getting an entire system for $25 is a better deal, but if your local Target isn't hosting such a delectable clearance, it's hard to pass up a $20 controller. We only wish they were Wavebirds, but we guess that beggars can't be choosers.

[Via CAG]

Wii Warm Up: Moving backwards

Posted Apr 23rd 2008 9:00AM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Imports, Controller, Wii Warm Up

Of course, you're all aware of the reissued GameCube controller (now in white!), but did you know that the controller is now available for purchase? It's fetching a price of $24.90. But, do you really need it?

We were wondering about those of you who lack a GameCube controller for backwards compatibility fun and, of course, Smash Bros. Brawl. Any of you interested in picking this up? Or, like us, are you already covered with a WaveBird?

[Thanks, celestialxplsion!]

New Wii controller looks useful for Brawl

Posted Apr 9th 2008 2:15PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Imports, Controller

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?

Now, in an alternate universe, you're playing with power

Posted Dec 28th 2007 3:00PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Fan stuff

This is about the coolest prototype thing we've ever seen: not only is it an unreleased prototype controller, it's a controller for a system that never existed. This controller was a prototype for the development kit of the Nintendo/Sony SNES CD system.

You can see in this early prototype the beginning of what would become the PlayStation controller: the triangle-shaped start button and the eight gameplay buttons (two of the face buttons would become shoulder buttons in the final controller). This thing would be the prize of any game collection. We don't know how this eBay seller got his hands on this thing; we'd expect it to be locked up in Nintendo headquarters somewhere. It must have been an ordeal to obtain.

It is priced accordingly.

[Via GameSniped]

A bevy of buttons

Posted Nov 14th 2007 10:43PM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: Fan stuff

The very moment we saw these buttons, we had an irresistible urge to not only buy them, but arrange them on some sort of button-friendly surface or fabric in a way that recreates their positions on the NES controller. Of course, then we'd be forced to recreate NES game music using nothing but our mouths (along with rhythmic head-bobbing, of course). Frankly, we shouldn't be allowed out in public. Lucky for us, these adorable buttons sold out almost immediately (we're saved from embarrassment), but the seller indicates that s/he can "remake most of what I list."

Etsy craftster Slevin11 has a variety of other shiny Nintendo buttons that are not sold out as well. You can check out a huge array of Pokéballs just waiting to be snapped onto a bag, or a variety of sprites. There's some, y'know, other stuff also, but we're a little single-minded about these things.

NiGHTS website hints at control options

Posted Oct 26th 2007 12:00PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News

The issue of NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams' control scheme is getting more complicated-- and, to us, more awesome. Reports from TGS indicated that the game made no use of motion controls; later, we heard that the motion controls were optional, and disappointing. But it seems that we have yet to hear the whole story about the control options for this game.

Sega's North American NiGHTS website has opened up, and its "features" area lists the supported controllers for the game. According to the website, it is possible to play NiGHTS with the Wiimote, Wiimote and Nunchuk, Classic Controller, or even a GameCube controller. We still have yet to determine the specifics of any of the control schemes, but it at least seems more likely that there will be one for everybody. And, as with Super Smash Bros. Brawl, we're excited about replaying the game using different control schemes.

The website also features a brisk history of NiGHTS and a short video of the Saturn game in action. It also features a lovely sparkle effect when you move your mouse.

Guitar Hero III apparently awesome (who knew?)

Posted Oct 9th 2007 5:15PM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: News, Controller

Boy, that Guitar Hero franchise really sucks, huh? If there were ever a set of games that were a complete and utter waste of time, it's these. Luckily, Guitar Hero III changes everything.

No, wait. We have that all wrong. Guitar Hero is unconditionally awesome, and we can expect nothing less from the latest and soon to be greatest version -- especially when we're playing it on the Wii. 1UP recently took a look at all three next-gen versions of Guitar Hero III and reported back improvements across the board, particularly in regard to the guitar peripheral. From buttons to accelerometer, the guitars seem to have gotten a major overhaul, and longtime fans of the series will find their frustrations with past versions fading away. The Wii controller offers up a tiny bonus, as well; the Wii remote speaker outputs, as as 1UP's Garnett Lee accurately puts it, "the ugly guitar string twang" that sounds when players miss a note. Not only is that more accurate -- such sounds should come from your guitar, after all -- but in multiplayer situations, when you're strumming along with no problems and your buddy can't seem to find his butt from the strum bar, you're less likely to be distracted by his mistakes.

All in all, it seems that Guitar Hero III is taking the franchise to a whole new level and getting closer to simulating actual guitar play without involving actual guitars.

Revolutionary: Shells 'n' Cheese

Posted Oct 9th 2007 4:15PM by Mike Sylvester
Filed under: Revolutionary

Continue reading Revolutionary: Shells 'n' Cheese

Guitar Hero stuffie for wannabe rock stars

Posted Sep 12th 2007 6:40PM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: Fan stuff

If this is not the cutest game-related item you've seen in a while, then we want to know what is. Unfortunately, it's not for sale (shenanigans!), but the brilliant craftster behind this piece, poisonholly, apparently accepts custom orders. We can't help but wonder if we could get this baby in a special design that looks more like the controller for Guitar Hero III on the Wii ... after all, it just needs another white panel for the Wii remote!

[Via Hawty McBloggy]

Another thing that looks like a Nintendo controller

Posted Aug 15th 2007 1:30PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Fan stuff

If you'd like to carry around your Wii games in style (or, well, a style, at least), check out this CD wallet. It looks like a NES controller! You could totally use it to camouflage your games. Upon seeing this, a burglar would immediately dismiss it as just a regular giant nylon NES controller with flat buttons and a zipper, instead of your music, movies, or games.

We can't decide if this thing is rad or garish. It's probably somewhere in the middle of the Rad-Garish Spectrum! If the look appeals to you, you can grab one of these for $15 at Amazon.

[Via Wonderland]

Looking back at fan-made Wii controller mockups

Posted Aug 13th 2007 1:40PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Fan stuff

Remember this design above? One of many, reminding us of a time when we knew little of what the Wii's controller would, and could, do. We call those the "dark times" around here, before a revolution was started with what looked like a normal television remote.

If you're the type who likes to look back at the past, head on over to TechEBlog and see their gallery compilation of fan-made mockups for Nintendo's latest console.

Wii Warm Up: Waggle adjustments

Posted Jun 27th 2007 9:00AM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: Wii Warm Up

Yesterday, we talked about some of the problems we've had with motion-sensing controls. But here's the thing: traditional control schemes often have problems as well. The best controls are those that just feel "right." You automatically hit the right buttons to shoot and jump, and in other games, sometimes it's a struggle to adapt.

So here's our question: is it really any different with the Wii's waggle? Is it just the same struggle as with any game, or is it made worse by less-than-optimal motion-sensing controls?

Get Hooked on expensive Wiimote decoration

Posted Jun 21st 2007 3:00PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News

The EBGames listing for Hooked says that it includes a "free controller," but we have two problems with that claim. First, the package costs $60. We doubt some fishing game would cost $60 without being bundled with accessories, meaning it's not really a free controller. Second, a Wiimote fishing controller costume is not a controller.

So the Dreamcast fishing controller can emulate the Wiimote, but the Wiimote needs a shell to approximate the Dreamcast fishing controller.

Four different controller options for Super Smash Bros.

Posted Jun 8th 2007 9:50AM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News

Today's Smash Bros. blog update provided two things we've all been waiting for since the countdown went up:

1. New information of any kind
2. The controller the game will use.

Those of you who said they'd adapt the game to Wiimote/Nunchuk play were right. Those of you who said they'd keep the Gamecube controller compatibility: you were right. Those of you who said it would use the Classic Controller: you were also right. Those of you who said you could play the game with a Wiimote turned on its side: if you existed, you would have been right as well.

We had cooled on the subject of Smash Bros., but now we're as excited as we were when we saw Snake pop out of that box. Not only is this going to extend the life of the game (by allowing players to master four different methods of control) but it is also going to allow for different styles of play, and therefore more variety in strategy and technique.

Features

Another Week in ... (50)

Born for Wii (7)

Brawl Stage of the Week (15)

Contests / Giveaways (96)

Friday Video (68)

Game Night (28)

It's-a Mario World (4)

Metareview (41)

Mii Spotlight (17)

Point/Counterpoint (3)

Revolutionary (39)

The VC Advantage (54)

Top Five (3)

VC Monday Madness (143)

Virtually Overlooked (73)

What are you playing? (87)

Wii Fanboy poll (37)

Wii Warm Up (503)

Bits

Channels (66)

Cheats (6)

Controller (410)

Fan stuff (1070)

Features (277)

Homebrew (84)

How-tos (61)

Imports (411)

Interviews (298)

Meta (65)

Mods (128)

News (3279)

Nintendo Wi-Fi (121)

Peripherals (268)

Reviews (117)

Rumors (443)

Sales (105)

Screens (618)

Tech stuff (136)

Video (835)

Virtual Console (459)

Walkthroughs (31)

WiiWare (222)

RESOURCES

• About
• Send us news tips
• Contact Us
• Advertise
• Corrections?
• Problems?

RSS NEWSFEEDS

• 
• Feeds by category

Sponsored Links

Featured Galleries

 

Most Commented On (14 days)

• Wii Fanswag: Get a copy of Zack and Wiki on us! (336)
• Virtually Free: Classics (170)
• E308: Reggie baffled by outcry over conference (107)
• E308: Live reactions from the Nintendo conference (67)
• Wii Warm Up: Mario or Luigi? (62)
• E308: Highlights from Nintendo's keynote (62)
• Blazepro Classic Controller: Dude, get your own design (61)
• Wii Warm Up: Give us your three cents about E3 (57)
• Rumors: New Sonic game and Dead Rising for US (54)
• Wii Warm Up: Pikmin vs. Animal Crossing (43)

Recent Comments

• Lee on Wiimote triumphs over Weemote: A small business sob story
• meist3r on Oh man, I am so Wii Fit right now, I have no idea what's going on
• Char6296 on Blazepro Classic Controller: Dude, get your own design
• wiiomatic on Rumors: New Sonic game and Dead Rising for US
• Seaniccus on Virtually Free: Classics
• Dark Archon on Wii Warm Up: I wanna rock!
• Paulo on Wii Fanswag: Get a copy of Zack and Wiki on us!
• pablo on Wii Fanswag: Get a copy of Zack and Wiki on us!
• stibbons on Wii pwns Australia with 500,000 sold
• Eric on Virtually Free: Classics

More game info on GameDaily: GameDaily Biz, Fast & Free Game Downloads, Video Game Trailers, Video Game Cheats, Video Game Reviews, Video Game Screenshots,

All contents copyright © 2003-2008, Weblogs, Inc. All rights reserved

Nintendo Wii Fanboy is a member of the Weblogs, Inc. Network. Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Notify AOL

• Nintendo Wii Fanboy
• Web