GameCube to N64 controller adapter review

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Here's a look at the awesome adapter that lets you use a GameCube controller on the N64. This thing is pretty damn cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mibd_7C-p6Q

[Leo_A]

Sounds a bit limited. No memory card saves (A major problem) and no rumble (Not a major problem, but still an unfortunate one since the occasional game made good use of it). At least it appears to support the Wavebird, which I'd of lost money betting on before watching that video.

With several decent analog stick replacements available these days for stock controllers, that's really the way to go now.

[bb_hood]

Sounds a bit limited. No memory card saves (A major problem)

Many games, most of the better ones for the N64 have battery backup, and dont use memory card saves. So I guess it depends on the game.

[Rickstilwell1]

I might like to get this sometime as I play mostly games that save to the cartridge itself anyway. And heck I can beat Tony Hawk's Pro Skater in one sitting and Gex 64: Enter the Gecko actually has passwords for those who don't want to use a memory card. I thought the Gamecube ports of both Zeldas were great because of the controller.

[CelticJobber]

Ehh, I always liked the N64 controller better than the GC one (it's one of my favorite controllers of all time). So I don't really see a point in this.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Its funny you say that. I actually think the polar opposite, in that the trident N64 controller is by far the worst controller Nintendo's ever produced. Many of the third party options were better even if they lacked in build quality. The point of this is to allow those who greatly prefer the Gamecube controller to play their N64 favorites with a controller they like.

Point being, tastes differ, so the "point" of this adapter depends on the end user.

[Sunnyvale]

I'm a purist at heart. If you're gonna use a GC controller, plug it into yer damn GC. N64 has a controller, and if you wanna squeak around that, that's up to you. But to me, it's half a step from an emulator, which is something we all know Jesus hates.

[Lerxstnj]

can't you plug a N64 controller w/memory card into port 2 while using port 1 for the adapter/controller?

[djshok]

Ehh, I always liked the N64 controller better than the GC one (it's one of my favorite controllers of all time). So I don't really see a point in this.

Holy crap you actually exist?! I always thought that people who like the N64 controller were just a myth. @_@

*mind blown

[NerdXCrewWill]

Holy crap you actually exist?! I always thought that people who like the N64 controller were just a myth. @_@

*mind blown

Add me to the group who liked the N64 controller. It did it's job well. The Gamecube controller is also quite fine. Both are quite comfortable and functional. Both have odd button placements that confuse first timers, but that won't last forever. Sadly, they are junk for fighting games, which are optimized for button layouts involving two rows of face buttons.

[lazyhoboguy]

I also dont find the n64 controller that bad. The good games were designed around its limitations.

[Sunnyvale]

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/ConneticutLeatherCompany/n64-controller-pipe.jpg

[Leo_A]

I liked the Nintendo 64 controller. Heck, I never even held it correctly and still liked it (I never held it by the center prong).

I could see a big reason for getting this a few years ago. But now that we actually have analog stick replacements, I think the window has closed on there being much demand for such an accessory.

It's tempting me though to use my Wavebird on it.


Many games, most of the better ones for the N64 have battery backup, and dont use memory card saves. So I guess it depends on the game.

Sure, but outside of Nintendo developed releases or Nintendo published releases from companies like Rare, it was pretty limited.

There are dozens of excellent Nintendo 64 games that require the memory pack for saving. Third party releases that implimented onboard saving were pretty infrequent.

[kedawa]

I'm all for playing N64 games with a less awkward controller, but the button layout is terribly mismatched.
I'd be changing the mapping for just about every game.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Like I said in the video, you can change the button layout to whatever you like up to four unique mappings at once programmed in, or whatever you want that isn't programmed in.

[BlastProcessing402]

The n64 controller was awkward and uncomfortable for most games, but for the few games that used the D-pad as the primary control instead of the stick, it was glorious. Never held a controller more comfortable than that.


Anyway, with this converter, could you then daisy chain it with a Wii CC to GC convertor and then use a Wii CC on an N64? That would be interesting.

[Sundowner]

This is a really cool device. I find the joystick for the n64 to be uncomfortable but I am a purist so I would rather play with the original, plus the different button layouts might be a pain.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Anyway, with this converter, could you then daisy chain it with a Wii CC to GC convertor and then use a Wii CC on an N64? That would be interesting.

I highly dislike the Wii Classic Controller so I do not have a converter that turns into the GameCube standard, but given that the GameCube to N64 Adapter reviewed here does not operate when daisy chained to any other adapter I own I highly doubt it. The N64 only provides 3.3v instead of the standard 5v that the NES, SNES, PS2 and Xbox controllers use. As for the Wii Classic Controller, I'm not sure of it's voltage requirements so I'm not qualified to answer definitively if it would work.

If I had to guess, I'd say no, but that's a question you'd have to shoot to the creator of the device.

[kedawa]

The Wii classic controller is powered by the Wiimote, so I would guess it operates on 3V or less.
I'm not all that familiar with the Wiimote's internal power regulation, though, so I could be wrong.

[CelticJobber]

Just out of curiosity... Did most of you who hated the N64 controller hold it properly?

By that I mean by gripping the middle prong for games that primarily used the analog stick, and the left prong for games mostly using the D-Pad. Because if you always tried to reach over to the analog stick while gripping the left prong, I can see why it would've been very uncomfortable for you.

[kedawa]

I'd be surprised if anyone did that, especially considering the fact that most games that used the analog stick also used the z-trigger.

[Gameguy]

Many games, most of the better ones for the N64 have battery backup, and dont use memory card saves. So I guess it depends on the game.
Just curious, was there a way to delete saves from the memory card without having the games that originally saved to them? I know I got a used system with a memory card but whenever I tried to use it I got a message saying it was full, I had no idea how to delete anything so I got rid of it.


Just out of curiosity... Did most of you who hated the N64 controller hold it properly?

By that I mean by gripping the middle prong for games that primarily used the analog stick, and the left prong for games mostly using the D-Pad. Because if you always tried to reach over to the analog stick while gripping the left prong, I can see why it would've been very uncomfortable for you.
It's not so bad to hold now, but when the system first came out I was around 8 years old and the controller just sucked for my then smaller hands. Do other kids still have problems with it or was I the only one? I just remember playing it at store kiosks and never wanted to buy one because of how horrible the controller was, that and all the games available to play weren't fun. I tried holding the controller both ways like you mentioned, both ways are about the same to me.

[HappehLemons]

If you get a second can you do me a favor? In Zelda can you easily do the spinning sword attack (Done with 360 joystick motion + A)? I remember this not working correctly with the replacement joystick for the n64 controllers and I actually had to use my original controller because of it and I'm curious if this suffers the same fate.

[Leo_A]

I'd be surprised if anyone did that, especially considering the fact that most games that used the analog stick also used the z-trigger.

That's exactly how I always held the controller (By the left side grip even for analog stick games). Just doesn't feel right holding it by the center position. I'd actually access the Z trigger with my right index finger.

I don't remember the Z button being used too frequently. Only things that even stand out for me are Z targeting in the two Zelda titles. Was almost as infrequently used in the dozens of games I've played through over the years as the left shoulder button and d-pad were.


Just curious, was there a way to delete saves from the memory card without having the games that originally saved to them? I know I got a used system with a memory card but whenever I tried to use it I got a message saying it was full, I had no idea how to delete anything so I got rid of it.

I don't think the system has a built in memory management screen like the Playstation or Playstation 2 did, but plenty of games had that capability built in to browse and manage your saved games.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Leo_A, IIRC you can access the MemoryPak menu by holding down Start for 10 seconds upon bootup of any game that uses it. I could be wrong, but google would know!

HappehLemons, Yeah of course. The Gamecube analog stick is vastly superior to even a new N64 controller's that was just unboxed. I have the Japanese Hori Mini controllers as well, as I still prefer this adapter over even that. The Wavebird is a great alternative, plus it's wireless.

[kedawa]

That's exactly how I always held the controller (By the left side grip even for analog stick games). Just doesn't feel right holding it by the center position. I'd actually access the Z trigger with my right index finger.

I don't remember the Z button being used too frequently. Only things that even stand out for me are Z targeting in the two Zelda titles. Was almost as infrequently used in the dozens of games I've played through over the years as the left shoulder button and d-pad were.
You must have some long thumbs. I can barely reach the middle of the analog stick when I''m holding the left grip.
I guess a lot of games must have mapped the same function to L and Z.

[HappehLemons]

Leo_A, IIRC you can access the MemoryPak menu by holding down Start for 10 seconds upon bootup of any game that uses it. I could be wrong, but google would know!

HappehLemons, Yeah of course. The Gamecube analog stick is vastly superior to even a new N64 controller's that was just unboxed. I have the Japanese Hori Mini controllers as well, as I still prefer this adapter over even that. The Wavebird is a great alternative, plus it's wireless.

Hey thanks for responding but I just want to make sure you're understanding me correctly. It's not that the motion itself was difficult, it's that the N64 hardware had trouble reading the 360 motion if it wasn't done by an original N64 controller (in my experience). but you've tested it and it worked correctly? Because if so, that's great :)

[biggzy]

I had no trouble holding it on the sides and still comfortably getting to the analog stick and the Z-trigger, but I do have really long fingers. I don't know if that shaped my opinion, but I'm also quite fond of the 64 controller. Part if it is surely nostalgia, though, since it was the first controller I ever had that used an analog stick that responded to how hard you pushed it. My fondest early memory of that system is making Mario going from a tip-toe to a sprint with that stick. Seems commonplace now, but it was way cool back in '97.

[BetaWolf47]

Just out of curiosity... Did most of you who hated the N64 controller hold it properly?

By that I mean by gripping the middle prong for games that primarily used the analog stick, and the left prong for games mostly using the D-Pad. Because if you always tried to reach over to the analog stick while gripping the left prong, I can see why it would've been very uncomfortable for you.

I always held it like that, and still do. I've gotten all gold trophies on Mario Kart 64, nearly 100%ed Super Mario 64, mastered Star Fox 64, beaten Banjo-Kazooie, and gotten almost all gold bananas on Donkey Kong 64 at one point. It works for me, since I have rather large hands.

<EDIT> Glad to see I'm not the only one. I thought I was just weird.