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

[CurtDogg]

Update: Nope, it just works with Smash Bros.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/38673/gamecube-controller-adapter-only-compatible-with-smash-bros-on-wii-u

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.

[Leo13]

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 Kong]

Must get. Still have a Wavebird.

[Ian Sane]

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!"

[daverhodus]

This is great news.

[Mop it up]

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.

[NWR_insanolord]

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!

[TheYoungerPlumber]

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.

[Kairon]

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?

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.

[UncleBob]

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

[TheYoungerPlumber]

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.

[ClexYoshi]

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!

[TheBigK]

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

[Adrock]

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

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:

[Nile Boogie Returns]

BULLSHIT!

[Leo13]

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

[ClexYoshi]

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

[marvel_moviefan_2012]

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

[Ian Sane]

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 up]

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.

[Jonnyboy117]

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).

[Ceric]

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.

[NWR_insanolord]

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

[Mop it up]

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?

[famicomplicated]

Jonny waiting for the GameCube patch that allows all games to be compatible: