GameCube controller: Difference between revisions

The '''Nintendo GameCube controller''' is the [[controller]] for the [[GameCube]]. It is somewhat in the vein of the [[Nintendo 64 controller]], but it lacks the middle grip.  

The GameCube controller is used to play ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' on the GameCube. The [[Wii]] is also compatible with the GameCube controller, meaning that ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' can be played using a GameCube controller, and the [[Virtual Console]] release of ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' can also be played using the GameCube controller. Certain third-party GameCube controllers are not recognized by ''Brawl''.

The [[Wii U]] is compatible with the GameCube controller through the use of an official adapter, however, it is only compatible with {{forwiiu}}. Additionally, a GameCube controller was specifically made for ''SSB4'', which is sold separately from the adapter unless a bundle is purchased.

The Family Edition and Wii Mini versions of the Wii do not utilize the GameCube controller as the hardware for backward compatibility was removed. The GameCube controller option still appears in-game, since it's compatible with the software, but only the Wii Remote-based options are possible.

GameCube Controller support is also available for ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. It requires the use of a USB Adapter in the same manner as ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''. Nintendo is also selling a new adapter along with new ''Ultimate'' themed GameCube controllers. Unlike the Wii U, the [[Nintendo Switch]] recognizes the GameCube controller as a [[Nintendo Switch Pro Controller|Pro Controller]], and thus all games that support the Pro Controller unofficially support the GameCube controller by extension (rather than exclusively ''Super Smash Bros.'' series games). However, some games may not function well with the GameCube controller due to having less buttons than required for gameplay purposes, and only a small number of games, such as ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', specifically detect it as a GameCube controller and map buttons accordingly. In addition, Nintendo sells a licensed, wireless version of the GameCube controller, produced by PowerA, which keeps the original controller layout while adding on the additional buttons used with the Switch. Like the wired version, it can be used with every supported game on the console. Like the wired version, the console recognizes the wireless controller as a Pro Controller outside of ''Ultimate''.

If a wireless Wavebird controller is used on the Channel 1 setting for ''Melee'', the latency amounts to lows of 53.11ms (3.1 frames) and highs of 78.78ms (4.5 frames), making it strictly outclassed by a wired controller.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTPY9DWJ6Zo Latency video]</ref> If used in ''Brawl'', this drastically increases, reaching lows of 92.28ms (5.5 frames) and highs of 106.45ms (6.2 frames). If used with ''Smash 4'', the latency is a bit lower, being about the same as the [[Wii U GamePad]] in the lower end of the spectrum; it experiences lows of 71.2ms (4.1 frames) and highs of 92.86ms (5.5 frames).

The sliding potentiometers of the shoulder triggers use values from 0 to 255. Values from 0 to 73 take no in-game effect at all. In ''Melee'', values from 74 to 174 scale inversely proportionally to shield size. Values of 174 and higher produce the same shield size as digital presses (all the way down through the click threshold), but only the digital press triggers techs and air dodges. In ''Brawl'', only the digital press has any effect in gameplay, as every other controller option does not use analog input for their shoulder buttons. However, in ''Smash 4'', the analog input now counts as a digital input, making the actual digital press of the shoulder buttons unnecessary. The analog input in ''Smash 4'' works similarly to ''Melee'', as there must be some distance traveled before the action mapped to L or R is recognized.

The shape of the stick box prevents the value extremes from being achieved, and the octagonal shape on the outer shell of the controller further cuts down the effective input range to approximately 25-230. This range varies from controller to controller and decreases with use as the friction between the inner stick box parts creates a gap and thus a loose zone. Because of this, a worn-down controller's stick will push the potentiometer less than a fresh controller's stick.