The Best Wireless Controller For The Gamecube: Nintendo Wavebird.
Written: Jul 28 '04 (Updated Jan 07 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Wireless, good feel, good communication.
Cons: Controllers can interfere with each other, analog sticks can be damaged easily, no rumble.
The Bottom Line: This is the best wireless controller on the market. Too bad it cannot work on my Xbox too.
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| yakkowarner's Full Review: Nintendo GameCube Controller for GameCube, Game Bo... |
Why I got it
I have a big screen TV so I am forced to sit at the other side of the room to play games (oh darn.) When I first got the Gamecube I had to move the Console to the middle of the living room to play on my couch. When my son was old enough to crawl then it became a problem. As soon as I heard this had been released I rushed to buy this immediately.
You have the option of using extensions but your children will also play these with. During their oral stage they generally gnaw on it or pull it out of the console. Not a good option for young parents.
Since the Wavebird is the best I would not recommend buying any other brand. Read my other reviews at the bottom if you need some background on this.
What is it?
This is a wireless controller for the Nintendo Gamecube. It comes with a controller, a receiver, and 2 AA batteries. Up to 4 can be hooked up to the Gamecube at once.
Setup.
You first put the AA batteries into the controller. Then plug the receiver into the Gamecube unit. Check both the receiver and the Controller to make sure they are set on the same channel (1-16). Also make sure the channel is different from any other controller to avoid interference. Then turn on the Gamecube and you are ready to go.
How it works.
The controller sends out a signal to the receiver much like any other controller would except it is on a radio frequency instead of through a wire. What is different is the Console does not communicate back to the controller, hence no rumble feedback.
Overall feel.
The controller feels like a regular Gamecube controller with a very similar button layout. The only difference is it is a little heavier and bulkier. I have had no problems with the design and my long fingers have not experienced any real fatigue from playing.
Wireless range.
Nintendo’s website claims it can go 20 feet, I feel this product can do 40 feet easily. But the radio signal output does not seem as strong as the Logitech or the Pelican. In my opinion this is a good thing because the battery life is also much longer.
Are the receivers and controllers all universal and interchangeable.
Yes and no. 2 of my controllers are first generation. For some strange reason the receivers were not interchangeable with the controllers. I only had two so I was not worried about this fact. Later I bought 2 more (then 1 more) controllers and found that their receivers were all interchangeable. I do not know what changed but I believe that the internal circuitry has been changed in later models or there are two sets of frequencies (or bands) that different Wavebirds use.
Nintendo’s website sells receivers individually so they must think that all controllers are universal.
Durability
The overall unit is very durable and all of mine still work fine except for one. In one unit the analog stick broke (I blame it on my son.) Two other controllers fell into the hands of my teething boy. He chewed off the C-stick of these 2 controllers and tore off the left thumb stick pad (the rubber pad on the top) of these same two controllers. As long as you do not have an oral fixation then the durability should be fine for you. Just keep them away from those pesky kids. The other 2 controllers are fine and I use them regularly. The damaged two I give to friends.
Battery life
I am estimating battery life at 30-45 hours depending on the batteries used. I have used both alkaline and rechargeable with no problems. Compared to other controllers, the battery life rocks. One of the reasons is the lack of rumble and the (perceived) decrease in the transmitter power level.
A word about analog
The analog sticks on these types of controllers are really digital controllers. Basically analog communicates through continuous waves but digital sends information as a yes or no (or a series of 0's and 1's). The reason why gaming editors started calling them analog sticks is because they had to find some way to differentiate them from the digital cross keys used in early video game controllers. Apparently none of these editors were E.E. students.
Problems.
The first problem is with the radio interference multiple controllers generate. This is the reason why Nintendo gave it 16 frequencies. Once you have the transmitters and receivers set then you will have no problems. It just can be annoying when you first set it up and all your friends are mocking your inability to properly set up a child's toy (It's ok, I usually clean their clock in the game and make fun of their inability to play a child's toy.)
The next problem is the C-stick and the Analog control sticks are poorly constructed. The c stick will degrade by cracking, if it is not already bitten off. The Analog control top will come off because it is not securely attached to the top of the analog stick.
Dimensions and weight.
Length: 4 inches
Width: 5.3 inches
Height: 2 inches
Weight: 8 5/8 ounces
(all measurements are taken from the greatest range possible.)
Summary.
This is a great wireless controller and worthy of holding the Nintendo name. This controller does not act up or limit the controller like other 3rd party controllers do. The only real limitation is the lack of durability of the control sticks. Replacements should have been given. This product set the standard which others are compared.
Other gaming reviews you may be interested in.
Nintendo Wii Gaming Console
Logitech wireless Xbox controller
Pelican wireless Xbox controller
Intec Jedi Hunter Wireless Xbox controller
Recommended:
Yes
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