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Nintendo Wii Classic Controller

Manufacturer: Nintendo Part number: 62605

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$17.40 - $19.99 at 11 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
2.5 stars Average
Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: Unless you don't have a GameCube controller or any GameCube games, give this Wii peripheral a pass.
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CNET editors' review

Nintendo Wii Classic Controller

price range: $17.40 - $19.99

Reviewed by: Will Greenwald
Edited by: John P. Falcone
Reviewed on: 12/07/2006
Released on: 11/26/2006

The good: Comfortable design; enables play of downloadable Virtual Console titles.

The bad: Doesn't play GameCube games; needs to be tethered to the Wiimote, from which it also draws power and connectivity; offers few advantages over connecting an old GameCube controller.

The bottom line: Unless you don't have a GameCube controller or any GameCube games, give this Wii peripheral a pass.

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Next to its weird, motion-sensing controller, the biggest draw of the Nintendo Wii is its Virtual Console. This onboard emulation system lets nostalgic geeks download and play their favorite games of years past, including titles from Nintendo's previous game consoles--the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), the Super NES, and the Nintendo 64--and even some of the company's past competitors, the Sega Genesis and NEC Turbografix 16. Unfortunately, the Wii's simple remote control--fondly dubbed the Wiimote--is suitable only for playing two-button NES and Turbografix 16 games. If you want to play games from other systems, you have two choices: use an old GameCube controller, or opt for the Wii Classic Controller. The latter product is a conventional gamepad that plugs directly into the Wiimote and can play any Virtual Console game. Unfortunately, while it's a straightforward enough concept, the Classic Controller doesn't quite live up to expectations.

The Classic Controller keeps with the minimalist, iPod-esque design of the Wii. Its white, gently curving oval shape will remind some of the old Super Nintendo controller. The unit matches the color scheme of the Wiimote itself, with a completely white motif interrupted only by the clear A and B face buttons. On its face, you'll find a four-way directional pad, two analog control sticks, four face buttons, and four shoulder buttons. There are also three control buttons (Select, Home, Start) for navigating the Wii's menu system.

The biggest problem with the controller is that it can't play GameCube games. (GameCube titles aren't offered on the Virtual Console, but the Wii will play any game disc from Nintendo's last-generation console.) It's an odd omission, since the dual-analog controller certainly sports enough buttons to play games such as Wind Waker and Metroid Prime. When a GameCube game is loaded, the Wii simply doesn't detect the Classic Controller. If you want to play your favorite GC titles, you'll need to get a GameCube controller anyway. Since we've yet to find a Virtual Console game that hasn't worked with the GameCube controller, it forces us to ask why the Classic Controller is even necessary.

Controller matrix courtesy wickable.com

Like the Wii's nunchuk, the only other Wii controller accessory currently on the market, the Classic Controller must be plugged into the Wiimote in order to function. (The Classic Controller lacks batteries, instead drawing power from those of the Wiimote.) This leads us to the second major problem of the controller: it doesn't have any place to which the Wiimote it connects to can attach. Players are forced to play their classic games with the Wiimote either dangling freely or sitting on their lap. Two mysterious slots and a release button on the back of the controller seem to indicate that something should clip onto it, but we haven't figured out what or how. Enterprising gamers might want to use adhesive velcro squares on the back of the Classic Controller and on the underside of the Wiimote to keep their gaming relatively unfettered.

Objectively, the Classic Controller is a fine peripheral for playing retro titles. It's comfortable, it's semiwireless (despite its Wiimote tail), and it's the only controller guaranteed to work with all Virtual Console games. However, its inability to play GameCube games is a massive omission. Considering that any old GameCube controller (including the wireless WaveBird) will play all GameCube games on the Wii plus nearly all of the Virtual Console titles (compatibility with all Genesis and Turbografix isn't guaranteed), the Classic Controller is hard to justify, unless you really prefer the gamepad form factor or just don't plan on playing any GameCube titles. Of course, if it turns out that Gunstar Heroes doesn't work with a GameCube controller, all bets are off.

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews
My rating: 0 stars

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9 stars

Best for SNES virtual console games

by headphone1 on March 1, 2007

Pros: Look and feel matches the original SNES controller

Cons: Powered by the Wii Remote

Summary: I originally bought a WaveBird GameCube controller to play downloaded Virtual Console games. Frustration soon set in, because it's difficult to hold Y and press B without also pressing ...

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Summary: I originally bought a WaveBird GameCube controller to play downloaded Virtual Console games. Frustration soon set in, because it's difficult to hold Y and press B without also pressing A. The Y-B combination is used frequently for running and jumping in classic SNES games like Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. After buying the Classic Controller, gameplay is much better for Virtual Console games. I will continue to use my WaveBird for GameCube games, but the Classic Controller is my first choice for Virtual Console games.

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7 stars

Great product but flaws hold it back

by tripleo7 on December 31, 2006

Pros: Great controller, feels very comfortable, excellent for playing NES and SNES, good for playing N64 Genesis and Turbografx games, feels better on many games then the Gamecube controller

Cons: Can't use it on Gamecube games, must be plugged in to wiimote, can use Gamecube controller instead

Summary: While this is a very nice controller that I would normally give at least a 9 some flaws bring it way down. First it has to be plugged into the ...

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Summary: While this is a very nice controller that I would normally give at least a 9 some flaws bring it way down. First it has to be plugged into the wiimote which is very strange if you ask me but this really doesn't get in the way too much. The main problem with this controller is that it can't be used on Gamecube games and a Gamecube controller will also work. However I personally like the way this controller feels playing NES and SNES games. That said I think it this controller works best on NES or SNES games; it plays all of the consoles very well however.

So the buttom line is if you don't have a Gamecube controller and no Gamecube games go pick this up. If you do have a Gamecube controller and Gamecube games then I think this is a little pricey.
Updated
Also the Gamecube controller can't play all of the games made by other companies so you might have to buy this if you want to be able to play all of the games for the Turbografx and Sega Genesis.

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Nintendo
Part number: 62605
Description: The Classic Controller is an expansion for the Wii's Remote. It connects to the port on the bottom of the Wii Remote to allow for wireless connectivity with the Wii console. The shape and style of the Classic Controller is more like the traditional controller design, which allows for ease of use with the classic games available through the Virtual Console.

General
Device Type Game pad
Packaged quantity 1
Compatibility Game console

Input Device
Compatible Game Consoles Nintendo Wii
Connectivity Technology Wired
Features Seamless play control

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