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Review : Classic Controller for Nintendo Wii
I finally was able to track down a Classic Controller for the Nintendo Wii that set me back $20. This is round traditional gamepad controller that you plug into the bottom expansion port of the Wii Controller and it can be used for playing Virtual Console games and navigating the Wii Menu.
The layout feels like a great grandchild of the Super Nintendo game pad with a little bit of the Gamecube controller thrown in. It is incredibly comfortable and ergonomic.
There is a nice traditional digital D pad that is much bigger than the one on the DS Lite. AB and XY buttons, analog L and R buttons on the top that feel a lot like a Super Nintendo and a Z1 and Z1 button on the top next to the L and R buttons.
There is an unlabeled button on the top that looks like it controls the ability to hook up additional stuff to the back on the controller but I have no idea what it could be for. Another weird thing is that on SNES and N64 games on the VC it flashes a quick message that you will need a Classic Controller but when you use one it still shows up.
It is sort of wireless since you plug it into the bottom of the Wii Controler but you still have about a three foot cord from your Wiimote to the gamepad. There is no rumble motor and you will have to use the top L and R buttons to play a Street Fighter game with it. However this gamepad will rock when SNK is done with the Virtual Console NeoGeo emulator.
I have a lingering suspicion that it was also designed to play Gamecube games on the Wii since the L and R buttons are pressure sensitive trigger buttons like the Gamecube and the presence of two analog sticks like the Gamecube. Sadly you can’t play Gamecube games with it and I hope that Nintendo adds the functionality to do so in future system updates.
Playing NES, SNES, TurboGrafx, N-64 and Genesis games with this controller is perfect. However this might be optional since most Virtual Console games work with a Gamecube controller. The classic controller is a really great addition to a Virtual Console gaming session and it feels great after along time playing. It feels like a controller Nintendo would make if the Wii was not driven my the weird magical flying wand type thingy.
Jake at November 28, 2006 
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Comments
Well Jake, owing to your censorship of my perfectly valid comment about the Wii virtual console and disregard for your readership exemplified by your lack of response to my last comment, you've succesfully just lost a reader of some 3 years.
I'm sure it's only small potatoes to you, but just thought you may like to know.
Posted by: Rich Kerrigan at November 29, 2006 4:32 PM
Look I am sorry I accidentally deleted some comments in the queue when I was despamming the +100 spam comments I get every day.
Posted by: Jacob Metcalf ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.8bitjoystick.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 29, 2006 5:24 PM
You know what I never liked about the Gamecube? The D-Pad. That thing sucked. Is this D-Pad anything like the GCN D-Pad?
Posted by: Shawn L at November 29, 2006 6:30 PM
It is about twice as big as the tiny D-pad on the Gamecube. This is a D-pad strong enough for a man but PH balanced for a woman.
Posted by: Jacob Metcalf at November 29, 2006 9:12 PM
HAH!
Posted by: Shawn L at November 30, 2006 5:53 AM
How is the analogue stick for N64 games. The second one, I mean.
I remember trying to play Zelda: OOT on the cube and having the yellow stick totally hate me for item usage.
Posted by: Llydis at December 2, 2006 8:54 AM
Well the only N-64 game that I have now for hte VC is Mario 64 and it plays fine with the analog stick for the 4 C buttons.
Posted by: Jacob Metcalf at December 4, 2006 9:24 AM
EA is coming out with a new need for speed game called PRO STREET and i was just wondering if you can use the controler to play the game insted of the wiimote
Posted by: wanna_b_racer10 at June 14, 2007 12:49 AM
I don't know. You should ask EA.
Posted by: Jacob Metcalf at June 18, 2007 12:14 AM
