Next to its weird, motion-sensing controller, the biggest draw of the Nintendo Wii is its Virtual Console. This onboard emulation system lets nostalgic geeks download and play their favourite games of years past, including titles from Nintendo's previous game consoles -- the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), the Super NES, and the Nintendo 64 -- and even some of the company's past competitors, the Sega Genesis and NEC Turbografix 16. Unfortunately, the Wii's simple remote control -- fondly dubbed the Wiimote -- is suitable only for playing two-button NES and Turbografix 16 games. If you want to play games from other systems, you have two choices: use an old GameCube controller, or opt for the Wii Classic Controller. The latter product is a conventional gamepad that plugs directly into the Wiimote and can play any Virtual Console game. Unfortunately, while it's a straightforward enough concept, the Classic Controller doesn't quite live up to expectations.
The Classic Controller keeps with the minimalist, iPod-esque design of the Wii. Its white, gently curving oval shape will remind some of the old Super Nintendo controller. The unit matches the colour scheme of the Wiimote itself, with a completely white motif interrupted only by the clear A and B face buttons. On its face, you'll find a four-way directional pad, two analog control sticks, four face buttons, and four shoulder buttons. There are also three control buttons (Select, Home, Start) for navigating the Wii's menu system.
The biggest problem with the controller is that it can't play GameCube games. (GameCube titles aren't offered on the Virtual Console, but the Wii will play any game disc from Nintendo's last-generation console.) It's an odd omission, since the dual-analog controller certainly sports enough buttons to play games such as Wind Waker and Metroid Prime. When a GameCube game is loaded, the Wii simply doesn't detect the Classic Controller. If you want to play your favorite GC titles, you'll need to get a GameCube controller anyway. Since we've yet to find a Virtual Console game that hasn't worked with the GameCube controller, it forces us to ask why the Classic Controller is even necessary.
Like the Wii's nunchuk, the only other Wii controller accessory currently on the market, the Classic Controller must be plugged into the Wiimote in order to function. (The Classic Controller lacks batteries, instead drawing power from those of the Wiimote.) This leads us to the second major problem of the controller: it doesn't have any place to which the Wiimote it connects to can attach. Players are forced to play their classic games with the Wiimote either dangling freely or sitting on their lap. Two mysterious slots and a release button on the back of the controller seem to indicate that something should clip onto it, but we haven't figured out what or how. Enterprising gamers might want to use adhesive velcro squares on the back of the Classic Controller and on the underside of the Wiimote to keep their gaming relatively unfettered.
Objectively, the Classic Controller is a fine peripheral for playing retro titles. It's comfortable, it's semiwireless (despite its Wiimote tail), and it's the only controller guaranteed to work with all Virtual Console games. However, its inability to play GameCube games is a massive omission. Considering that any old GameCube controller (including the wireless WaveBird) will play all GameCube games on the Wii plus nearly all of the Virtual Console titles (compatibility with all Genesis and Turbografix isn't guaranteed), the Classic Controller is hard to justify, unless you really prefer the gamepad form factor or just don't plan on playing any GameCube titles. Of course, if it turns out that Gunstar Heroes doesn't work with a GameCube controller, all bets are off.
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Isaac
23/06/2008, 07:53 PM
rating
7/10
i got a gc controller already but i got this to play multiplayer f zero x. works pretty good but i prefer the gc controller
Pros: Cheap, good button layout,easy to understand
Cons: no gc compatability,analouge sticks a lil too loose for my liking,not wireless
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orandorel
19/06/2008, 01:19 PM
rating
6/10
a good shaped controller very similar to the snes but with joysticks
Pros: anybody who understands mario kart will know it mustn't be played with a steering wheel.
Cons: why cant they make the controllers wireless, i would pay an extra $20 not to have another remote dangling off while im thrashing all my friends with peachy on the beach
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hustabubba
14/03/2008, 12:09 PM
rating
9/10
This is great for playing Super Smash Bros Brawl. the right analog stick is the equivelant of the c-stick on the gamecube. I dont no what the hell that contrapion on the back is though.
Pros: small fun to play with and very useful in Brawl
Cons: Wii mote on the back of it is really annoying
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Southpaw
21/02/2008, 06:47 PM
rating
3/10
I bought this controller purely to play geometry wars: galaxies because playing it with the normal wii remote and nunchuk combo is like trying to slice bread with a whip... it just dont cut it man!
I was a HUGE enthusiast of the xbox 360 arcade version of the game and was stoked to hear a sequel was on its way... I got the new game on wii and my skills were halved because of the crap control scheme so I got a 'classic controller' ... no sir I dont like it
The classic controller is a FAR better option for geometry wars than a normal wii remote + nunchuck... 2 analogue sticks.... how bad could it be? not that bad BUT the sticks have one major fault: instead of having a circle around the sticks, there is a octagon or hexagon or whatever so you are forced to shoot in that motion rather than a free circular motion, I find I miss shots alot more than I did on the xbox 360 version because like any good controller design it had CIRCLES around the sticks
People say the classic controller is comfortable to use but they obviously haven't played it with a game where the two analogue sticks are needed... my hands tire very easily with this old-school design... you need something to grab on to like a gamecube, ps2/3 or xbox/360 controller...
Pros: 2 analogue sticks way better than a wii remote and a nunchuk for geometry wars (and presumably future games)
Cons: awful angular surrounding of analogue sticks preventing the freedom of circular movement... how hard could it be to put circles around them? whats the point in those stupid angles!?!? WHY!?!?... not to mention you get sore hands using both sticks and it can only plug into a wii remote... what a load of bull... they should release an adaptor that plugs into the gamecube controller port and has an adaptor for a nunchuk/classic controller
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MrPointless
10/04/2007, 05:22 AM
rating
9/10
It's a brilliant controller, miles better than that awful GC controller when playing Virtual Console titles. Yeah... it can't be used on GC games themselves? WHOOP-DE-DOO! The only GC games that'll benefit from the Classic Controller are... 2D games. Like Ikaruga. And I'd rather buy a HORI SNES-style pad for them.
Pros: The D-Pad's in the right place, it feels right, works great.
Cons: No GC support? Not that big a deal.
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PDOG
02/04/2007, 03:22 AM
rating
6/10
They really need to make this thing play GC games.....it's just dumb. I don't own a GC but I will prolly buy Resident Evil 4 and some other titles. (to play on Wii) I mean seriously.....just make it play GC games it can't be that hard. Why would I buy a Classic Controller otherwise??
Then on the flipside u have the issue of the GC controller's compatibility with some of the VC games. It just doesn't make any sense at all how a controller with that many buttons couldn't play Sega games. (the system's prolly 15 years old for God's sake) If they would just make a feature to remap the buttons however you want it would be great. And there's NO WAY that they can't implement that feature....gimme a break.
People don't like restrictions....they need to fix this cause it really is annoying.
These problems are so obvious and annoying and EASY to solve (really now) that it almost makes me think that they did it on purpose thinking that some people would just bite the bullet and buy the GC controllers AND the Classic controllers. (so they could play everything)
That's the main issue.
Another issue is the way this thing hooks up. It's not that BAD of a system.....but again....some choice would be nice. Maybe if some kind of adapter cord was available so you
could just plug each controller right into a GC hookup on the Wii. (instead of plugging each CController into it's own Wii Remote)
It's a nice little controller but would be much better if they would just address these issues.
I love my Wii (really) but this kind of stuff really is annoying.
-Paul
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cj2k7
14/03/2007, 02:51 AM
rating
2/10
absolutly pointless.. what a waste of money!!!!!!! i wanted it to play Gamecube games with and it didnt work.. soo i bought da normal gamecube controller and works wonders... that controller i wouldnt even attempt to but it..!!!!!!! POINTLESS!!!!!!
Pros: NONE
Cons: DA WHOLE THING
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PhartingDragyn
21/02/2007, 09:03 AM
rating
9/10
"Since we've yet to find a Virtual Console game that hasn't worked with the GameCube controller, it forces us to ask why the Classic Controller is even necessary." ??
Are you people aware how AWKWARD it is to play Super Mario World with a GC controller? You can't remap the buttons, so playing SMW with a GC controller gets obnoxious, seeing as how the buttons are mapped to the exact same lettered buttons from the SNES pad. These letters on the GC pad are not in the same place, making running up to fly with your cape a game of twister with your fingers. The Classic Controller relieves me of this burdon. Definitely get this device, especially for SNES games.
Pros: Much easier to play with VC then a GC pad.
No cord running to the system.
Cons: Like the Wiimote, battery draining.
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ricardo
20/02/2007, 03:03 PM
rating
8/10
I just bought one today and i love it. If you complain about not being able to play gamecube games then you need to shut up. If you have any GCN games then im sure you have a gamecube controller. Does anyone know what the release switch in the back is for?!
Pros: Very comfortable, buttons easily used, analog sticksvery smooth, nice design,
Cons: Wiimote tail, drainage of batteries.
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bojangles
02/01/2007, 05:03 PM
rating
10/10
its a perfect controller and if ur complaining about it not playing cube games- why would u have a cube game and not have a controller in the first place
Pros: its nicely shaped and easy to use
Cons: people just love to ****
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