Editing Controller

This was the first controller to be used in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' and is one of two official controllers along with the Japan-only release, the Hori Mini Pad; or Hori for short. Compatible with the Nintendo 64, these two controllers see the most use in tournaments in ''Smash 64'' with the original controller being more common. This is partially due to preference and also since Horis tend to be expensive as they need to be imported. Many players however also use a variety of other types of controllers such as GameCube, Xbox, and even [[keyboard play|keyboard]].  The scene is in general open to any alternative as long as the controller has no macros and only as many buttons bound as a Hori.

These alternatives, however, are not common in certain countries with top scenes like Japan where alternative controllers were banned as part of their ruleset and Peru. Due to its infamous analog stick, many players find it uncomfortable to use for long periods of time. Also, as they break down under stress and suffer from range issues due to overuse, multiple players in the community have created alternative for range such as the "{{sm|Derek}} Stick" and by making hybrids with alternative sticks such as the aforementioned Gamecube or "[[Nintendo 64 controller#LodgeNet controller|LodgeNet]]," a hotel exclusive controller. Members have even made alternative stick materials such as the "steel stick."

For ''[[Melee]]'', this was the only controller one could use, barring the use of esoteric adapters for other controllers. In addition to its standard, wired model, a wireless version of the controller, the [[WaveBird]], was also released; though identical in function, it does not have the [[rumble]] capabilities due to battery life concerns. A later revision, produced in white and sporting a three-meter cord instead of a two-meter, was also released by Nintendo in April 2008 for Japanese players, and it is mostly associated with Japanese players such as {{Sm|Otori}}. While difficult to procure in Western territories, some players have imported the controller and used it in tournaments, such as {{Sm|Nairo}}. A similar controller was also later released in North America for the launch of ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''; this version featured a black color scheme, a three-meter cord, and a stylized [[Super Smash Bros. logo|''Super Smash Bros.'' logo]] silkscreened onto it. New controllers were made again for ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', with a similar design as the ''Smash Wii U'' controller, save for an outlined ''Smash'' logo design replacing the ''Smash 4'' design.

While the Wii U and Nintendo Switch do not feature dedicated ports for the controllers, an adapter that plugs into two of the Wii U or Switch's various [[wikipedia:Universal Serial Bus|USB]] ports is produced by Nintendo, allowing for up to four controllers to be plugged in. As the Wii U features four USB ports, this allows for a maximum of eight GameCube controllers to be used for ''Smash 4''. The Nintendo Switch Dock has three USB ports, but two adapters can still be used if the rumble USB cable is not plugged in. Third-party and community-made alternatives are also available, with popular examples being the Mayflash GameCube Adapter and the Lossless Adapter.  

 

Within tournaments for ''Brawl'', ''Project M'', ''Smash Wii U'', and ''Ultimate'', the GameCube controller is by far the most popular option, due to the still-strong tournament scene of ''Melee'' and most players having the opinion of the GameCube controller being the best controller for ''Smash''. Additionally, GameCube controllers do not have battery issues and they are considerably easier to connect to a [[Wii]], as they do not require devoted processes for syncing them to different consoles. The Wavebird, however, is generally banned at large events; the controller allows for only sixteen potential channels between it and its dongle, and a large number of such controllers being used at once can potentially lead to interference issues between different players at different setups. In addition, players could set their controller to the same channel as another player on purpose to interfere with other players.

The Wii U GamePad is fully compatible with ''Smash 4''. In most cases, the touchscreen on the device will show the same video as that of the console itself. Furthermore, the game's [[Stage Builder]] supports the creation of custom platforms via drawing them on the touchscreen. If the GamePad is not used to play an actual match, then [[damage percent]]ages of players are displayed on the unit; tapping the screen in this mode changes it to show the actual match in progress. The game also supports Off-TV Play, allowing players to potentially play the game without the need of an external television set. The controller's microphone can also be used in [[With Friends]] to talk with other players while waiting for matches to start.

They can also be used sideways, with one Joy-Con per person. This allows for more players to play (which is required for 8 player matches as each joy-con counts as one controller even when two are used as a pair while a Nintendo Switch supports up to 8 connected at once) but limits the number of buttons available to the player, which generally disfavors this kind of play. In this configuration, 10 buttons (left/B, up/Y, right/X, down/A, L/R, ZL/ZR, screenshot/home, +/-, SL and SR) and one analog stick are available for use, although L and ZL or R and ZR are rarely used in horizontal mode)

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller features similar layout of the Joy-Con Controllers when used in the vertical configuration, but in a similar form factor as the Wii U Pro Controller.

The Pro Controller is frequently seen in competitive ''[[Ultimate]]'', with many top players such as {{Sm|Zackray}} and {{Sm|Abadango}} using it in tournaments. It is often more accessible than the GameCube controller, which are historically difficult to acquire new outside of Japan or expensive.

 

In tournaments, especially large ones, the wireless nature of the Pro Controller can be problematic, both for the users and the people around them. Tournaments typically have large amounts of wireless interference, which makes using the Pro Controller wirelessly potentially unreliable. In addition, wireless Pro Controllers can still send inputs to the console they are synced with even when the controller is far away if not manually disconnected, which often results in unwanted inputs being sent to consoles by accident. This has become less of an issue over time, as the Switch operating system has added the ability to disconnect all wireless controllers from the console in the system settings and because Smash Ultimate was patched to let any player disconnect a controller, even other people's controllers.

[[File:Smashboxmodern.png|thumb|The Smash Box controller.]]

{{main|Keyboard}}

Wireless controllers generally have their own set of rules when it comes to tournaments. Wireless controllers were historically required to have their batteries removed whenever the owner is not playing a match, as they can interfere with other controllers that are trying to sync to consoles, where [[port priority]] can be important. Players who do not comply with this may be disqualified. Owing to the issues with wireless controllers, particularly large tournaments may have a total blanket ban on all wireless controllers; in addition to the interference issues, some TOs may simply not want to waste time waiting for players to sync wireless controllers to consoles. ''Ultimate'' tournaments typically do not have any restrictions on the use of wireless controllers owing to the popularity of the official Pro Controller.

Within tournaments, controllers are rarely provided to players, and players are expected to bring their own controller; as such, the phrase '''BYOC''' is commonly found in tournament rulesets, an acronym for "'''B'''ring '''Y'''our '''O'''wn '''C'''ontroller". Players are responsible for their own controllers, as tournaments typically will not replace them or compensate players who lose them. Players with wireless controllers are also responsible for any issues that may arise from them, including issues with battery life or interference, and tournament organizers are not obligated to assist players of these controllers should issues end up influencing a match. Some tournaments are known to provide emergency replacement controllers in case a player experiences a catastrophic error with their controller, but these are few and far between. If a player is unable to use their controller for any reason and are unable to acquire a replacement in a timely manner, they are deemed unfit to play and are considered forfeit.

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