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GCWiiWiiU

GameCube Controller Adapter Only Compatible With Smash Bros. on Wii U

by Curtis Bonds - October 8, 2014, 6:48 am EDT
Total comments: 34 Source: Nintendo's Online Store (UK)

Update: Nope, it just works with Smash Bros.

Update: Nintendo confirmed that the GameCube Controller Adapter will only work with Super Smash Bros. on Wii U. The original story is still below, even if it is just kind of a bummer now.

The upcoming GameCube Controller Adapter will be backwards compatible with all games that support the Wii U Pro Controller and Classic Controller.

According to the description on Nintendo's UK online store, not only will the adapter be compatible with Pro/Classic controller games, but also games through the Wii Mode on Wii U, as well as the Wii itself, if you happen to own a Wii without the GameCube ports.

Nintendo announced the Wii U GameCube Controller Adapter a few weeks before E3 as a means for hardcore Super Smash Bros. players to play the upcoming Wii U release to play with their preferred controller, but this is the first confirmation that it's compatible with something other than Smash Bros.

Talkback

Leo13October 07, 2014

That's the best news I've heard all day. I literally CAN'T play N64 VC games because I don't have a classic controller (I do have 4 pro controllers), but since I DO have gamecube controllers now I'll be able to play N64 games Wahoo

BranDonk KongOctober 07, 2014

Must get. Still have a Wavebird.

Ian SaneOctober 07, 2014

This is ridiculously flexible tech from a company not typically associated with such things.  I would have expected this to only work with SSB.  It works with old Wii's?  What does Nintendo truly gain from that?  It's awesome but I never would expect them to even think of offering such a thing.

But then the whole concept of supporting a controller from two generations ago in the first place is a very hardcore gamer-focused thing to do which you wouldn't expect at all from a company that only recently figured out file folders.  You get the feeling that Nintendo's out-to-lunch luddite attitude is only reflective of a segment of their management and that there are some very hip people within Nintendo.  I see stuff like this and I feel like the people responsible are sneaking the hardcore gamer stuff out under management's noses.  It's like how I felt when I played Xenoblade.  I kept thinking "how did the Wii Sports guys allow funding for THIS game?"

Any accommodation that has been made for the hardcore tournament SSB crowd just seems very unlike Nintendo.  You figure they would discourage such things because it could hypothetically confuse the broader mass audience that Nintendo obviously wants to buy the game.  And yet Sakurai can convince Nintendo that it's worthwhile to spend time, and thus Nintendo's money, on stuff like this that at least 90% of the target audience wouldn't use or would even notice was available.

Why can't they be this cool all of the time?  Why does it seem like some mistake that made it past Iwata?  And observe the bizarre inconsistency where they bend over backwards on this controller stuff but force all sorts of technological restrictions into the game because of an insistence on having a 3DS version.  It feels like a tug-of-war between the cool Nintendo and the heads-up-their-asses Nintendo.  And perhaps that explains Sakurai strangely making public excuses for all these compromises that had to be made for the 3DS version.  Sakurai is one of the cool people at Nintendo and maybe he's just trying to keep his cred with his audience.  "This could be even cooler but my boss got in the way!"

daverhodusOctober 07, 2014

This is great news.

Mop it upOctober 07, 2014

I wasn't sure if I were going to get one of these, but I might now that it can function as other controller types to make it compatible with other games. It's just too bad that the new controllers they are selling are corded, as I don't think I can go back to cords after having wireless for so long.

This is good news, because I probably would have bought one of these regardless and I don't use GameCube controllers in Smash Bros. so I'd have barely ever used the thing if that's all it did. Now bring on the N64 Virtual Console on Wii U!

Given the widespread compatibility, I have to wonder if this tech or something very similar to it has been used internally within Nintendo for a long time for debugging, etc. and Sakurai or someone else within Nintendo lobbied for it to be released to the public.

Quote from: Ian

You get the feeling that Nintendo's out-to-lunch luddite attitude is only reflective of a segment of their management and that there are some very hip people within Nintendo.

Maybe, but I come at this as from another direction: What god-forsaken GameCube technology is still being grandfathered into the Wii U two-hardware generations down the line to make this possible, and is its inclusion holding Nintendo back from making the technical changes that would make them a faster-moving innovator in this space?

Quote from: Ian

And yet Sakurai can convince Nintendo that it's worthwhile to spend time, and thus Nintendo's money, on stuff like this that at least 90% of the target audience wouldn't use or would even notice was available.

I think you're discounting the fact that Nintendo is looking to rake in money when I buy 5+ new GameCube controllers. Iwata wants profits, and by-george making us all buy controller tech from 2001 at full-price will bring him his profits.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorOctober 08, 2014

Will this work with the Wii Mini?  Does the Wii Mini even have USB ports?

Quote from: UncleBob

Will this work with the Wii Mini?  Does the Wii Mini even have USB ports?

Based on photos posted online, the Wii Mini has one USB port, so I'd wager the answer is no, given the adapter uses two USB connections, unless the second USB cable is only for GameCube controller ports three and four or something.

WELP! time to enjoy Sonic colors upscaled through HDMI!

I'm actually really hoping that because this is USB based technology that somebody makes a wrapper to use Gamecube controllers with the PC.


Also, in a fucked up and round-about way, this thing's extra adaptability will allow for folks to use their old Gamecube fight sticks! no longer have to hook up my Wii for TVC!


It'll also be nice to be able to use mi Wii U for 4 player Mario Kart 64, SSB64, or F-Zero X! so much great news here!

TheBigKOctober 08, 2014

False alarm, everybody. Somebody at Nintendo went full retard.


http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/10/turns_out_the_gamecube_controller_adapter_wont_be_compatible_with_other_wii_u_software

AdrockOctober 08, 2014

Apparently, this isn't true. The adapter and Gamecube controller are only compatible with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Quote:

GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U is compatible with Wii U and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U specifically - it is not compatible with any other Wii U software," a Nintendo UK spokesperson has told Eurogamer.

"The adapter is also not compatible with Wii and we apologise for any confusion."

There's only one correct response to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6gzOcTNKwE

Nile Boogie ReturnsOctober 08, 2014

BULLSHIT!

Leo13October 08, 2014

Man yesterday this article made me SUPER EXCITED and today the update has me SUPER LET DOWN

... I almost feel like Keyboard Cat would be the most appropriate thing to post right now for Nintendo.

marvel_moviefan_2012October 08, 2014

damn it Ian you opened your mouth and they fixed it.

Ian SaneOctober 08, 2014

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012

damn it Ian you opened your mouth and they fixed it.

I'm sorry.  Geez, of all the posts of mine to read they pick THIS one? ;)

Real downer.  It did seem very surprising that Nintendo would offer this and I'm not going to say they were ever obligated to do so but it is very annoying to get teased like this.

Mop it upOctober 08, 2014

Quote from: Kairon

I think you're discounting the fact that Nintendo is looking to rake in money when I buy 5+ new GameCube controllers. Iwata wants profits, and by-george making us all buy controller tech from 2001 at full-price will bring him his profits.

If this were fully about profit, wouldn't Nintendo be releasing USB GameCube controllers instead of an adapter that allows us to use controllers we already have?

I know this news has since been confirmed to be untrue but it's still a point.

I will not buy something like this for just one game. They still have an opportunity to patch in wider support, but I have to wait until then (if ever).

CericOctober 08, 2014

The last thing the WiiU need was another control option just for one game.  Its not even like its a DDR Pad, Bongo, or Guitar which bring totally different things to the table.

It's really impressive how awfully they handled this. Get people's hopes up and then go back on it completely.

Mop it upOctober 08, 2014

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

It's really impressive how awfully they handled this. Get people's hopes up and then go back on it completely.

This pretty much sums up the Wii U in general, m i rite? ;)

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)October 08, 2014

Jonny waiting for the GameCube patch that allows all games to be compatible:
http://www.blogography.com/photos53/Skeleton2.jpg

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterOctober 08, 2014

Johnny has a dog?

I always assumed he was more of a cat person.

http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/2009351/SEj3OoR.gif

nickmitchOctober 09, 2014

Guess that GC VC for WiiU is still a dream.

broodwarsOctober 09, 2014

Stories like this make me wonder why there isn't an animated gif of Groundhog Day Bill Murray putting a pillow over his head and punching himself in the face in exasperation.

PlugabugzOctober 09, 2014

I hate to quote Ian Sane, but:

"This is ridiculously flexible tech from a company not typically associated with such things.  I would have expected this to only work with SSB."

Impressive foresight there.

CericOctober 09, 2014

Quote from: pokepal148

Johnny has a dog?

I always assumed he was more of a cat person.

I just assumed that Jonny lived alone in an easy to maintain apartment where his double life of Podcast Extraordinare and Rocket Scientist would let him leave at a moments notice to where he was needed most.

the asylumOctober 09, 2014

Oh Nintendo. We've expected this sort of limited narrow-vision of yours for years now, but even still this is surprising.

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)October 10, 2014

Ironically this device would get more use if it were compatible with an original Wii too. I'm talking about the 2nd revision which didn't have GC ports.

If only someone had told Nintendo the Wii had 2 USB ports too.

#hyperfailGET, Nintendo.

Mop it upOctober 10, 2014

Quote from: nickmitch

Guess that GC VC for WiiU is still a dream.

I don't see why this can't still happen, this device just isn't compatible with anything that's already released but it might be used for future games/services.

marvel_moviefan_2012October 10, 2014

Quote from: Mop

Quote from: nickmitch

Guess that GC VC for WiiU is still a dream.

I don't see why this can't still happen, this device just isn't compatible with anything that's already released but it might be used for future games/services.

Hi there, you must be new, here let me introduce you to Nintendo, a company that goes out of their way to make the simplest things ultra complicated just because it gives them a kick. This is the same company that sold a piece of plastic as an "accessory" and bundled it with an exclusive "game" more as a joke to their fans than anything to be taken seriously.

In all seriousness I really don't care personally because its not like they don't already make 3rd party accessories that *are* Wii compatible just buy one of them it doesn't have to be officially sanctioned by Nintendo to work.


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