News coming out of SpaceWorld is that the GameCube controller will apparently cost $34.99 USD. This is quite puzzling, as the controller only costs 2,500 yen (which is roughly $20 USD) in Japan. We have confirmed this is the US price. It's a little more than we expected, but the controllers are pretty sweet.

Last updated: 03/24/2001 by Ed Shih

Well, I got to try a prototype GameCube controller at GDC. I say prototype because the start and Z buttons were essentially small square pegs rather than acutal buttons. My guess is that the controller was made shortly after the decision to add the D-pad and Z button. So how did it feel?

Well, the prongs were very comfortable. I think they were actually a bit longer than what most of us have seen in the pictures. It fit the contours of my inner hand very nicely. The dual analog sticks were also positioned very comfortably and felt sturdy. The C-stick was located so that you could easily slide from the face buttons to the stick. By the way, the sticks definitely return to center upon release. I think there was some question as to that matter before, but the sticks on the controller I held certainly returned to center.

The A, B, X, Y button configuration felt cool as well. With your thumb placed firmly on the large A button, you can quickly move it up, left, or right to press the other buttons easily. Also, hitting the A button along with another of the satellite buttons is fairly simple. It may also be possible to use 'Turok' style movement controls with this button configuration, but I think it'll take some getting used to.

The L and R buttons were quite a bit larger than on previous controllers. They also provided a nice range of movement (i.e. they can be pushed down a relatively large distance) which should help make analog pushes of the button easier. One complaint though, is that they seemed a tad bit sticky when the finger pressure is released (i.e. on the way up).

The D-pad seemed like it was just added in, unfortunately. While it was placed fairly symetrically to the C-stick, the movement from the left analog stick to the D-pad was not as comfortable as from the face buttons to the C-stick. The D-pad felt like it should be a bit closer to the left analog stick to me. Or perhaps you just aren't meant to quickly switch from the left analog stick to the D-pad.

The start and Z buttons were still pegs, so I can't really give a good opinion on those. Overall, though, the controller felt very nice and should be an integral tool in creating the real future of gaming.

Last updated: 03/07/2001

If they had to pick the single biggest surprise of Spaceworld 2000, most people would probably choose the GameCube controller. Miyamoto's irregularly-shaped creation has been called everything from a Playskool reject to the comfortable and intuitive controller ever designed. One thing's for sure: it ain't boring.

Essentially a mix between the Playstation's Dual Shock and the standard N64 controller, the GameCube pad contains two analog joysticks, five primary action buttons (at least two of which are analog), two analog shoulder triggers a la Dreamcast, a standard D-pad, internal vibration motors, and a start button right smack in the middle. The two-prong setup provides easy access to every function, without the need of multiple holding styles that were necessary with the N64 controller. The main joystick is said to be somewhere between the N64's stick and a Dual Shock stick; it has ridges on top, but is attached to a ball underneath to minimize wear and tear. The "camera stick" is still very much a mystery; we're not sure how stiff it will be, or if it will spring back to the middle after you let go. It could also house an extra button by pushing down on the stick. The main action buttons are arranged in an odd formation, with a large A button in the center and bean-shaped B, X, and Y buttons surrounding it. The Z button is on top, next to the R trigger. Supposedly, the L and R triggers feature hundreds of analog levels, allowing for excruciatingly detailed control over such gameplay elements as throttle, braking, and who knows what else. The D-pad appears unchanged from its predecessors, although we've heard that its size is more like the GB Advance's D-pad than the N64's. Finally, the internal rumble feature will not require batteries, although we have no idea how strong it will be compared to a Rumble Pak or the Dual Shock 2. The GameCube should include one standard controller, with additional pads being sold for around $30 US.