The Gamecube Controller is now the Windows XP of video game peripherals.

hlavco

https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/472076848382607361

Nintendo is releasing a Gamecube adapter for the Wii U so that we can play Smash Bros in the optimal fashion. This makes me very happy.

mario

So we can play Smash Bros. in the only acceptable fashion.

Now I might actually buy a Wii U! Also, will they release that cool-looking Smash Bros. GameCube controller?

hlavco

I don't know. That appears to be what they're using in the E3 invitational Smash Bros U tournament though (wait till the end of the video).

mario

I watched the video, and for some reason the controller didn't magically appear in my hands. But now I really want sneak off to a Best Buy from work that day for some reason...

Silverward

I'm glad to see Nintendo supporting the tournament scene. Too many wireless controllers in a room at once can cause lag. I'll be picking this up when I get Smash Bros, even though I've got enough normal style controllers for 4 players.

X'o'Lore

Does that make me a heretic for having used a wii classic controller to play Smash Bros? Well, at least I did before that particular game got stolen/lost. (Kids with access to my Wii stuff has resulted in literally half my games being lost, destroyed, or stolen. Children are terrible human beings.)

hlavco

The other cool thing about this is that now I can play my Wii DDRs on Wii U since the pads will be able to plug in now.

This also opens the door for a triumphant e-reader comeback.

Professor MacJake

Does this mean I can play Eternal Darkness on the WiiU?!

mario

Won't support for the GameCube controllers require explicit support from the games? Or will the system treat them as Classic Controllers?

hlavco

Dunno. Maybe the adapter translates the inputs into something workable.

Silverward

Professor MacJake wrote: »

Does this mean I can play Eternal Darkness on the WiiU?!

The functionality to play Gamecube games is there, but Nintendo blocked it out. It's possible they'll patch it back after the GC adapter comes out.

mario

Can the optical drives accept GCN games? Even the late-gen Wii eventually dropped that support. They could probably run 'Cube titles via Virtual Console, but unless the drive has the ability to insert the mini disks, the original optical media won't work.

TheFlameOfHearts

I'd assume it's a different laser, though I'm sure the Wii U laser could read the discs if given the software.
I have one or two Wii games (Like Brawl for example) that I had the option to play with Gamecube controllers instead of Wii Motes. It'd probably work with those.

mario

My concern would be media size. The original Wii had mechanisms for aligning the GameCube's mini disks in the center of the slot. Does the Wii U have those? Most slot-loading optical drives can't mount the smaller form factor media.

TheFlameOfHearts

That's a fair argument. I didn't even think about that for some reason.

hlavco

I read somewhere that the most complicated and expensive part of the Wii was the mechanics they had to use to allow you to stick the Gamecube discs anywhere along the slot and still have them read correctly. Dunno how true that is, but it makes sense considering they dropped Gamecube support for the budget model.

hlavco

The latest Switch update has added support for the Wii U's Gamecube controller adapter!

And it actually works on every game, not just the hypothetical eventual Switch version of Smash Bros! A lot of Switch games require more buttons than the Gamecube controller can provide, but it's a viable option for simpler titles.

mario

This is the greatest reason to revive an old thread ever.

hlavco

I hope that's not sarcasm, 'cause I'm legit pleased!

X'o'Lore

I don't really understand the fondness for the Game Cube controller, but if people liked them that much then good on Nintendo I guess.