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During it's life-cycle, Nintendo created various different controllers for the Nintendo GameCube video game console. Of these there were two standard controllers; a normal wired controller and an RF wireless controller called the WaveBird.
Overview edit
All Nintendo GameCube controllers are based on the same basic design with a standard button layout featuring a total of six digital buttons, two analog sticks, a D-pad and two hybrid analog triggers/digital buttons. Externally, the left and right "handle" sections of all three controllers is identical, with all major differences in the center section.
The primary analog stick is on the left, with the D-pad below it. The four face buttons are on the right of the controller (a large green "A" button in the center, a smaller red "B" button below it and to the left and two kidney-shaped buttons; "X" to the right and a "Y" to the top) with a yellow "C" stick below those. A Start/Pause button is located in the middle of the controller. On the "shoulders" of the controller there are two analog triggers marked "L" and "R," as well as one digital button marked "Z" which sits above the "R" trigger. The "L" and "R" triggers feature both analog and digital capabilities. Each of these behaves as a typical analog trigger until fully depressed, at which point the button "clicks" to register an additional digital signal. This method effectively serves to provide two functions per button without actually adding two separate physical buttons.
Standard Controller edit
 Purple GameCube controller | |
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Type | Gamepad |
| Generation | Sixth generation |
| Release date |
|
| Input |
|
| Connectivity | GameCube controller port |
| Dimensions | 2.5" x 5.5" x 4"; 6.5' cable65mm x 140mm x 100mm; 2m cable |
Released alongside the Nintendo GameCube console, the standard GameCube controller has a wing grip design, and is designed to fit comfortably in the player's hands. This controller was bundled with all new GameCube systems throughout the consoles life cycle and was also available separately. It connects to the consoles controller ports via a 2m/6.5' cable.
The standard GameCube controller provides haptic feedback by way of a built-in rumble motor rather than using an external Rumble Pak add-on like the Nintendo 64 controller. Also unlike the it's predecessor, as well as it's successor the Wii Remote, this controller does not feature any expansion capabilities.
Premium Edition GameCube controllers edit
The GameCube controller was widely sold in five main colors during the life of the GameCube: "Indigo," "Indigo/Clear" (with a clear lower shell), "Jet Black," "Spice" (orange), and "Platinum" (silver), matching the common available colors of GameCube consoles. Certain limited edition Japanese controllers were available in "Pearl" (white), "Starlight Gold," "Symphonic Green" (mint green), and "Gundam Copper" (red), to match their respective limited edition consoles. Nintendo also offered limited edition "Mario Red and Blue," "Luigi Green and Blue," "Wario Yellow and Purple," and "Emerald Blue" controllers in Japan.
WaveBird edit
 WaveBird wireless controller + receiver | |
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Type | Gamepad |
| Generation | Sixth generation |
| Input |
|
| Connectivity | 900 MHz/2.4 GHz wireless RFGameCube controller port (wireless dongle) |
| Power | 2x AA batteries[1] |
| Dimensions | 2.5" x 5.5" x 4"65mm x 140mm x 100mm |
| Mass | 7.4oz/210g (with batteries)5.8oz/164g (without batteries) |
The WaveBird Wireless Controller (DOL-004) is a radio frequency (RF) based wireless controller based on the same basic design as the standard controller. The name WaveBird is reference to Dolphin,[2] the GameCube's codename during its development.[3]
Development edit
Nintendo had been attempting to create a reliable wireless controller since the early Famicom era. Its first attempt was for the AVS (Advanced Video System), the precursor to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) which included two wireless controllers but was never released. The next attempt was an infrared (IR) adapter called the NES Satellite, for the NES. Released in 1989, it used the aforementioned IR to extend the length of up to four wired controllers, which would plug themselves into the base of the unit. The base could then be positioned anywhere within a certain range of the NES without the need for a cable. However, the extension base still needed a direct line of sight with the NES console, a problem also present on third-party wireless IR controllers. Infrared has significant limitations; one being that it is line of sight only; there had to be a clear space between the IR port and the controller. Radio Frequency controllers were not possible in the late 1980s as the early digital RF links were bulky and used too much power to be useful in battery-powered devices.
Only a decade later, advancements in integrated circuits made radio controllers for game consoles commercially viable. The WaveBird, released in 2002, solved previous usability problems of wireless controllers by relying on radio frequency communication instead of infrared, allowing the controller to be used anywhere within twenty feet of the console without a need for a direct line of sight.
Design edit
The WaveBird GameCube controller was designed and sold by Nintendo[4]. In terms of design, the WaveBird controller is built mostly in the same way as the standard GameCube controller; the components (analog sticks, buttons, and triggers) and layout remain the same, while adding the wireless functionality and an internal battery pack. The WaveBird controller is somewhat larger and heavier than a standard GameCube controller, with the RF mechanism, on/off switch and orange LED power indicator filling the hole between the D-pad and the C-stick. In terms of capabilities, the only feature the WaveBird controller lacks when compared to the standard controller is the rumble feature as the motors used would reduce take up space and battery life[4]. Due to the data being transmitted, relayed, then decoded, there is a very slight delay in button response compared to a wired controller, but not enough to be noticeable or affect gameplay.
Unlike most wireless controllers of its era, it relies on radio waves (first used in gaming with Atari's CX-42 joysticks[5]) rather than the previously more common method of infrared line-of-sight control.[4] The WaveBird requires a receiver to be plugged into the controller port of the GameCube. Made of the same colored plastic, this dongle features a channel-selection wheel and an LED to indicate when a signal is received.
The early versions of the controller's radio transceiver run in the unlicensed 900 MHz band[6], while later versions of the controller operate at 2.4 GHz.[7] The range of the WaveBird controller is officially 20 feet (6 metres)[1], but some users have reported ranges of up to 60-70 feet (18-21 metres)[4], WaveBird controllers can be set to operate on any of 16 different channels, allowing up to 16 controllers to be used in an area without interference[1].
Available Colors edit
The WaveBird controller was available in most regions in light grey and platinum colors only. In Japan 1,000 Special Edition Gundam WaveBirds (Two-Tone Red with the Neo-Zeon logo in the middle) were available through a contest held by Club Nintendo to coincide with the Japan-only GameCube release of Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Z Gundam.[8]
Legacy edit
The success of the WaveBird brought wireless controllers to the masses, and have become standard on all seventh generation consoles: Nintendo's Wii, Sony's PlayStation 3, and Microsoft's Xbox 360.
Use on the Wii edit
Due to the Wii's ability to use GameCube controller input, all official GameCube controllers may be used on the Wii. GameCube software played on the Wii requires the use of a GameCube controller, and cannot be played with standard Wii controllers. Wii software can be fully compatible with GameCube controllers, and nearly all Virtual Console games and certain Wii and WiiWare games like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii, Sonic Unleashed, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King and several others have been designed to support GameCube controllers as input.
Following speculation that Nintendo might re-release the WaveBird controller due to the popularity of its use on the Wii, a Nintendo representative confirmed that there were no plans to offer WaveBirds in stores again.[9] Although the representative stated that "original GameCube controllers" would be available directly from Nintendo, there is no listing for the WaveBird.[10]
In April 2008, Nintendo released a white standard GameCube controller, initially exclusive to Japan (later released in North America). This was a result of increased demand of the controller due to the Wii's backward compatibility with GameCube games and the fact that several Wii games support the controller as a primary method of control.[11] It differs from previous editions in that it features a white cable which is 3 meters (10 feet) long rather than the standard 2 meter (6.5 foot) black cable.
Legal issues edit
Anascape Ltd, a Texas-based firm, filed a lawsuit against Nintendo for patent infringements regarding Nintendo's controllers.[12] A July 2008 verdict found that a ban would be issued preventing Nintendo from selling the regular GameCube and WaveBird controllers in the United States. Nintendo is free to continue selling the controllers pending an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.[13] On April 13, 2010 Nintendo won the appeal and the previous court decision was reversed. [14]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Operation of the WaveBird Controller" (PDF). Nintendo. Retrieved 2006-08-28.
- ^ "Nintendo WaveBird". IGN. September 26, 2001. Retrieved 2006-08-28.
- ^ Smith, Tony (August 24, 2000). "Nintendo launches Gamecube". The Register. Retrieved 2006-08-28.
- ^ a b c d Wiley, M. (June 11, 2002). "Nintendo WaveBird Review". IGN. Retrieved 2006-08-28.
- ^ "The Atari 2600 Remote Controlled Joystick". Atari Museum. Retrieved 2007-01-27.
- ^ Metts, Jonathan (March 6, 2001). "WaveBird Controller Preview". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
- ^ Powers, Rick (December 9, 2002). "Mitsubishi to supply 2.4GHz WaveBird chip". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (November 18, 2004). "Special Wavebird For Japan". IGN. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
- ^ "Nintendo has no plans to restock Wavebirds". GoNintendo. December 31, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
- ^ "No plans to restock Wavebirds". computerandvideogames.com. January 2, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
- ^ "Nintendo to Re-launch GameCube Controller". IGN. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
- ^ INQUIRER staff (2006-08-03). "Microsoft, Nintendo sued over games controller". The Inquirer. Retrieved 2006-12-08.
- ^ Bloomberg.com: News
- ^ "Federal Circuit Court Vindicates Nintendo in Patent Lawsuit". April 13, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-16.