Smash Wii U Having a bizarre issue with a controller... help?

[PurpleMonkey]

I have a GameCube controller that works perfectly except for Smash. That is to say, it only doesn't work when you're actually playing the game.. it works perfectly on the menus.

During actual gameplay the analog, c-stick and 'A' button stop working completely. When you unplug it and plug it back in you always do a charged up-smash automatically, but just once and the buttons still don't work. When you press pause you regain all functionality in the menus.

This controller is as old as the invention of the GameCube, but it works fine otherwise.. I have a new controller coming from Amazon, but I'm worried this problem will repeat.

I also have a purple GameCube controller that does not have this issue. I've tried unplugging it, rebooting, unplugging the adapter... what else is there to do? It's so weird.

Any insight or help?

 

[FamilyTeam]

Hello and welcome to the Smashboards!
I've actually heard of Gamecube Adapters for the Wii U having strange problems. My friend has one, and for some reason some of the ports on his adapter don't recognize the button. You should see if that's the problem if you're sure your current controller works properly, try different ports, different controllers (once your new one arrives) and different USB ports. If none of that works, then it could be your adapter.

 

[David Wonn]

Your C-stick needs to be recalibrated. Only plug in just one controller into the adaptor, hold X+Y+Start for three seconds and then release. Now start up a solo match, preferably something at no cost, like All-Star, Event Match, or Classic at 2.0 difficulty. Training mode is of no use for this purpose. Now pause the game during a match and move the camera with the C-stick. You might find it moving on its own. If so, recalibrate again with the same sequence until you are satisfied with the camera being stationary while the stick is idle. If moving the C-stick still causes the camera to continuously move even after the stick returns to neutral, then your controller may be on its way out, but it may still be useful periodically for games where the C-stick isn't a factor.

I have the same issues with certain controllers due to their age and use. I even have one that feels like the main stick is brand new, but when I move the stick down then due left, it continues to move diagonally, which makes it impossible for me to use that controller for Ryu, but it is otherwise mostly fine for the remaining characters. Unfortunately controllers do eventually wear out, though they might be repairable if you're extremely careful with taking them apart. (I am only comfortable taking apart controllers from much older systems, though.)

 

[PurpleMonkey]

Holy crap, it worked!
I've never heard of needing to do this before. Thanks so much!

 

[David Wonn]

Glad to be of assistance. I also encounter the same problems on the GameCube / original Wii with the same controllers, so I generally have faith in the official adaptor.

With some of my controllers, I could get away with moving one of the analog sticks just slightly off-center while re-calibrating. This would effectively allow me to relocate the neutral position for controllers which were very worn, such as ones that could move down more than up or vice-versa.

If you happen to have a copy of Super Monkey Ball and a GameCube or original Wii, that game has a very handy calibration option so that you can easily spot defective main sticks. If you can draw a complete perfect circle, then you know your controller is as calibrated as it can possibly get. Some of my controllers with very loose sticks cannot ever do this, no matter where I relocate the center. For example, I have a controller that has full range of left/right movement, but can only go up or down partially. I reserve that controller for Mario Kart Double Dash, where the lack of full vertical range is less of an issue. The downside of Super Monkey Ball is that it can't do anything for C-sticks, though, but it is a great place to start if you suspect a faulty main analog stick.