Wii Classic Controller vs. classic SNES controller

Old school? New school? We love it all man. Click on for a bunch of high-res Wii Classic Controller shots.

Wii Classic Controller vs. classic SNES controller

[AJ @ Jun 18th 2008 9:40PM]

i just got a wii classic controller and i plugged it in to the main controller and it does not seem to work does anyone have any ideas whats wrong?

[Meltz; @ Nov 29th 2006 3:53PM]

thats tight...but why is the wire on the bottom?? I cant wait for Christmas...

[charles @ Nov 30th 2006 11:18PM]

because im guessing it will connect to the wiimote rather than to the wii

[Tavis Veighey @ Nov 29th 2006 3:54PM]

Cool! However you could always just USE your old NES and SNES controllers on the Wii. How? You say that they will not fit.

Check out these adapters:
http://www.retrousb.com/wii.html
These will make those old school controllers work with the next generation Nintendo console!

Nintendo said that they will not be altering the classic games to preserve the original gaming experience. However how do you preserve that oldschool gaming experience with out the original oldschool controllers?

[manav g @ Nov 29th 2006 5:53PM]

I loved the SNES controller. It was nice and light and the buttons were placed perfectly. Its prolly the third best controller ever comin after the 360 and Wii's. Just one question, where the eff does the wire from the wii classic connect to (wiimote?) i dont like the idea of a wire comin out the bottom. ........... first post :P

[j @ Nov 29th 2006 4:44PM]

thank you Nintendo. you aren't concerned with being attention whores. and you haven't forgotten the faithful, who still rock the old school. (everydoby out there who still ownd and plays their SNES give me a "hell yeah")

[mespinosam @ Nov 29th 2006 5:32PM]

Anyone?

[Digitalosh @ Nov 30th 2006 2:57AM]

HELL YEAH

[Jim @ Nov 29th 2006 4:03PM]

How can they seriously come out with controllers that AREN'T wireless? Honestly, after I got my first Logitech PS2 wireless controller, I won't EVER go back.

[tomtux @ Nov 29th 2006 4:07PM]

The classic control is just like the nunchuck and attaches to the wii remote control, and the wii remote control is wireless. Just curious, but do you own a wii?

[Aaron @ Nov 29th 2006 4:54PM]

Well would you rather pay 20 bucks for a controller that uses the wireless parts in the Remote to transfer its signal, or would you prefer to pay 40 bucks for a controller that has to have all that tech inside it?

[Porsche 911 @ Nov 29th 2006 4:22PM]

He asked, why they could not just be wireless, which means, no wires at all. My question to Nintendo is why the wires and why upside-down. In addition, my second question, why could they not keep the GC controller design, the old controllers were uncomfortable.

[Jim @ Nov 29th 2006 5:51PM]

No, I don't own one. I only have a PS2 but am fine with that. I just like all things wireless (Guitar Hero controller included!).

[gid @ Nov 29th 2006 9:26PM]

I'm guessing it plugs into the wiimote.. and not the system...

how about a side by side with the NES and wiimote

[Jut @ Nov 29th 2006 4:17PM]

I just got a classic controller, and the shoulder buttons feel like the analog triggers on the gamecube controllers. But the classic controller doesn't work with gamecube games, what is up with this? Does anyone know if they are, in fact, analog triggers? Maybe we're just waiting for a firmware update to enable them for gamecube games.

[Rob @ Nov 29th 2006 4:21PM]

the wire hooks into your Wii Remote. hence why it comes out the bottom, the remote will probably be sitting somewhere near you. Not entirely wireless, yes, but you quickly forget about it.

[Art Guy @ Nov 29th 2006 4:22PM]

I still think it's misleading to have dual analog sticks that you can't even use. What's the point of two???

[Derrick @ Nov 29th 2006 5:54PM]

@Art Guy

The 2nd analog stick functions as like the c-stick on a gamecube controller, replacing the four C-Buttons of the N64 controller and is used when playing N64 games on virtual console. It works very well on mario 64 and it is much less frustrating to get the camera where you want it.

[joc @ Nov 29th 2006 6:39PM]

I think the controller can also be used for future Wii games that need a more "classic" control system...

[GJP303 @ Nov 29th 2006 5:32PM]

I bought this really cheep controller/ 1001 game player thing for like 10 bux. It had dual analog controllers that were glued in so you cant even pretend that you have a super cool analog controllers. It was screwed up.

[Jeff Foster @ Nov 29th 2006 8:07PM]

"He asked, why they could not just be wireless, which means, no wires at all."

That'd just be another set of batteries to keep track of. the classic controller not being TOTALLY wireless doesn't really bother me.

"My question to Nintendo is why the wires and why upside-down."

Good Question. I'd have to use it to see if it makes sense.

"In addition, my second question, why could they not keep the GC controller design, the old controllers were uncomfortable."

They DID keep the gamecube design, as you can plug your gamecube controllers straight into the Wii.

[prator @ Nov 29th 2006 6:58PM]

I have a Wii. Does that make my comments valid? I also don't understand why the classic controller isn't wireless.

Do I just stick the Wiimote in my pocket? My crotch? If I hit a Wiimote button, will it interfere with the game?

[Jack @ Nov 29th 2006 9:31PM]

the wire comes out of the bottom because this allows you to put the wiimote in your pocket while you play. If it came out of the top, the cord would need to have more slack and thus be much longer.

[Greg @ Nov 29th 2006 4:33PM]

If you want to use the old Gamecube controller design, then just use a Gamecube controller. They're compatible with the virtual console.

[Alex @ Nov 29th 2006 6:21PM]

The dual analog sticks are necessary to simulate an N64 controller which could be held in three different ways (d-pad & buttons, d-pad & analog stick, analog stick & buttons). Without the three-prong layout of the original controller, it'd be pretty hard to use the classic controller for d-pad & analog stick if they didn't throw the second analog stick on there.

[NNTPgrip @ Nov 29th 2006 4:45PM]

Bought two myself. Hoping for an update to enable Gamecube play with them, as I do not want to buy Wavebirds due to price and most importantly ugly ass dongle(s) on top my nice looking wii. Also, I'm not a queer or nothin, but the color scheme is all wrong.

[Adrian @ Nov 29th 2006 4:48PM]

The wire does have advantages. You've got only batteries in the remote controller to swap for all the accessories you get and the exclusion of the battery and wireless propably makes the classic controller more lightweight and compact to give it more of an snes feel.

The wire propably leaves the bottom of the control because it doesn't have to go to the console in front of you but to the remote controller somwhere around you. Being at the bottom makes more sense in this case.

What bugs me more is that you have to have a remote controller for each classic one. Isn't propably much of an issue since you'll always have more remote than classic controllers.

[micky @ Nov 29th 2006 4:48PM]

hey - is ayone having the same trouble i'm having:
finding a friggin' wiimote and/or nunchuck in a store anywhere?? or even online?? maybe my karma is off...

[Clinton @ Nov 29th 2006 4:57PM]

Dallas was sold out of remotes and nunchucks for most of last week. I was only able to find a single remote. I ended up buying a whole console system. I'll use the remote for now and sell the system around Christmas.

[Delsvr @ Nov 29th 2006 4:50PM]

SNES controllers give my insides warm, fuzzy feelings. That's something Nintendo will never be able to re-implement. Old school :) I'm talking Earthbound, Mario Kart, EVO and NBA Jam. Holy jeebers.

[RyanTV @ Nov 29th 2006 4:55PM]

the second analog stick works like the C arrow buttons on the N64. you use it to move the camera around in Mario 64

[Brandon Humphries @ Nov 29th 2006 4:57PM]

Gamecube controller does not work with all virtual console titles, esp. those from Sega which require a classic controller, according to nintendo. I picked up one so i would be set to play all of the virtual console titles (just in case). The only titles that absolutely require the gamecube controller are gamecube games which i don't have, and sega titles will still require the classic controller which, so I just went with the more stylish and cheaper classic remote.

Personally, I would like to see this stupid requirement eliminated with a firmware update. The gamecube's controller can map easily to any of the VC machines (including sega's), it's certainly got enough buttons. I shouldn't have to buy 2 different controllers to play legacy games, not to mention having to switch between them all the time. Either that, or make the classic controller map to GC games, or make one that can do it all. Also it's just overly confusing, esp. for non gamers. You should be able to say "hey, i wanna play classic games, be they sega, TG16, NES, SNES, N64, or gamecube. Ok, all I have to do is buy (be better if they included) this one thingy and I'm set."

I in no way advocate the PS3, but at least you don't have to buy more hardware to play legacy games (they just charge you for the ability upfront, i know, but my point is that this particular issue is less complicated on the PS3, please don't lecture me on how the ps3 sucks cuz I already know that, if you like the ps3, well good for you.)

[PDiddy Fosho @ Dec 5th 2006 2:37PM]

You are sooooo right about them just using the gamecube controller for all the new games. I hate the idea of using this "classic" controller. Or a way they could do is ya know how they have that attachment for the 360 where you plug it in and then there is a box with a bunch of holes for certain wires(ipod, camera, etc.) then they could sell that for like 5 bucks and then the old contollers for 5 bucks each. If they're doing the old school "classic" style cause this controller is not "classic" ya know? It is a completely new controller it just complicates things they should just make the games compatible with gamecube controllers. Unless of course they are really bent on making it authentic then they should go with my other idea. Simply go all the way with one or the other but don't do something stupid like make a controller like this dumbass "classic" controller. Go classic or not don't go in the middle.

[R. C. @ Jun 26th 2007 11:58PM]

To my knowladge, there is no game that cannot be played if you have both a wiimote and a GC contller.

[Sunny @ Nov 29th 2006 5:00PM]

I heard that Nintendo is going to be releasing a clip to be able to clip the remote to the back of the Classic Controller. That's probably what the holes are for.

[Brandon Humphries @ Nov 29th 2006 5:02PM]

P.S J &R music and computer world had Wii nunchucks and classics on sale at their website last night, but it looks like they have removed them. I was able to finally nab them though, should be here in a couple days. Strange that I havent had any trouble finding wiimotes though (walmart had a bunch a few days ago, but no attachments in sight, makes no sense)

[psiven @ Nov 29th 2006 7:06PM]

I like this gamecube controller: http://www.the-nextlevel.com/features/hardware/hori-digital-controller/hori-vs-snes-1.jpg

[The Grand Master @ Nov 29th 2006 5:06PM]

Wouldn't it make sense, to be able to attach the Wiimote to the back? In the pictures where the clips are shown, you could make attachments so that the Wiimonte could lock in vertically, making it truly wireless, though it would add some weight.

Just a suggestion. Listening Nintendo?

P.S Can't wait to get mine. Preordered online, Woolworths, December 8th can't come quick enough.

[Andazeus @ Nov 30th 2006 2:23AM]

@Grand Master

From what I've heard, plans are already underway for clipping the wiimote on the back and have some games use the classic controller + motion sensivity. Somewhat like the sixaxis.
Let's see, what the devs make out of it...

[v_dogg @ Nov 29th 2006 5:29PM]

this is so gay, why can't Nintendo just make a normal controller that actually feels good in the hand and is truly wireless. whats up with all this stupid plugging into the wiimote?

[sola.veritas @ Nov 29th 2006 7:01PM]

As someone already explained earlier, the wireless equpiment in the Wiimote is rather pricey, costing upwards of $20 per unit. The classic controller allows them to keep user costs down and eliminates unnecessary duplication of communication equipment: since everyone *has* to have at least the one Wiimote that comes with the system. It's a good move all around.

[Billy Kincaid @ Nov 30th 2006 12:14AM]

Why not get the Wavebird?

[Matt @ Nov 29th 2006 6:54PM]

oh my god haha that is the funnyest thing i heard all day

[Reginald @ Nov 29th 2006 9:24PM]

Yeah, I got that system too. It says 1001 games but it's really just about 30-40 games with different colored characters (one version has a purple Donkey Kong and it is considered another game).

I think its just an NES on a chip that is just housed in a Game Cube controller. But, the funny part is, like the Wii Remote, the 2 extra controllers and light gun plug into the main controller. That was 3 years ago and yes, I still think that's a lame idea.

[falcom @ Nov 29th 2006 6:35PM]

missing from gamecube controller...select button.
missing from classic controller....Z button.

of course these could easily be mapped to each other, but seems kinda retarded that they don't let you map it from the sounds of it.

[briaguya @ Dec 4th 2006 10:36PM]

classic has 2 z buttons

[Veritas II @ Nov 29th 2006 5:41PM]

Wish they'd release some RPG's from the SNES to the Virtual Console. That'd make my decade.

[bobby @ Nov 29th 2006 5:52PM]

For those who cant find a component cable for your wii check out this guide http://wiihacks.awardspace.com

[jason @ Nov 29th 2006 8:29PM]

of course sony doesn't have to do anything to make their controllers backwards compatable... all they've done since the PS1 is add two buttons to the shoulder of the controllers.

[Alex @ Nov 29th 2006 6:24PM]

Ignore my post above. Based on Derrick's post, I'm obviously talking out of my ass.=)