How to hold a GC controller

[XXXCheckmate]

I was just wondering what the most efficient way to hold a Game Cube controller is. Do you hold it naturally (putting your two pointer fingers over L and R and use your thumb for the A, B, X, and Y and the left stick) or is there a better way? I've seen some people have their pointer finger and thumb press the letter buttons, but that just seems uncomfortable.

 

[Sour Supreme]

I hold it naturally. Any other way is just... Awkward for me. That said, I have some friends who hold what is commonly known as clutch.

This is the same as natural, except your middle finger is placed on L, while your pointer hovers in a position for quick use of A, B, or Y/X. That leaves your thumb at the C-stick.

They tend to think that cause this hold has fingers at the ready for every input, it allows them to play and follow up moves quicker. I never got into it though. It's really just preference.

 

[XXXCheckmate]

I hold it naturally. Any other way is just... Awkward for me. That said, I have some friends who hold what is commonly known as clutch.

This is the same as natural, except your middle finger is placed on L, while your pointer hovers in a position for quick use of A, B, or Y/X. That leaves your thumb at the C-stick.

They tend to think that cause this hold has fingers at the ready for every input, it allows them to play and follow up moves quicker. I never got into it though. It's really just preference.

That makes sense. I like holding it naturally too, but it seems like moving my thumb from X to B takes a little too long, and leaves more room for error.

 

[Meme]

I hold it naturally

You can do the "claw" grip, I know some players that do that... or even you can try normal grip with the left hand and placing your controller on your knee or where ever you feel better support and input everything as it were an arcade stick, "downside" is pretty much you'll be doing wavedash/shielding/grabbing/cancelling with L so it takes a while to get used to Javi plays that way and a couple of friends play that way too.

Although I recommend to go with the way you feel more comfortable... there are quite a few players that with the natural grip still can make technical wonders, after a lot of practice of course.

 

[CORY]

where's @ Vigilante ? he's got the best controller style.

 

[Remo]

I personally play with a natural grip. It's the most comfortable for me. That's what it comes down to!

 

[JakieWinks]

It kinda depends on which character you play. Some characters benefit more with the claw grip, like peach, mewtwo, or if you want to be faster to hit every button/stick like Gravy does with falcon. Whenever I play peach (in friendlies) I'll switch mid battle between claw and natural grip.
For most characters it's not worth learning claw unless that's what is natural to you. Play what's comfortable!

 

[Esther]

I hold my controller with Pointer on Z, Middle on R, Pointer on L. Why? It's fast on grabs, and easy to claw when needed. d;

 

[DrinkingFood]

I hold my controller with Pointer on Z, Middle on R, Pointer on L. Why? It's fast on grabs, and easy to claw when needed. d;

This is what I do as well. Makes clawing for a DACUS more accessible.

 

[standardtoaster]

there isn't any "best" way to hold the controller, just do whatever is most comfortable. personally, i just hold it normally but indexes on L and R and i quickly move to Z for grabs with my right index finger

 

[9bit]

I do the same as toaster. I've tried holding it with my middle fingers on the shoulder buttons, but it always felt like the controller was going to pop out of my hands or something. I didn't feel like I had a good grip on it.

I hate the Z button though so I changed X to grab so I don't have to even move my right index finger to it. I have it set to footstool (normally) or attack (if I'm playing a DACUS character) at the moment.

 

[F. Blue]

 

[Vigilante]

@ CORY & @ F. Blue : Yeah, I think that's what I'm most known for, lol. I guess I'm living proof that controllers can be used in many different ways so long as there are no gimmicks on them, lol.

 

[DrinkingFood]

I'm gonna learn to play with my feet and then nobody will love you

 

[Rikutsu]

I've always held mine "normally." Claw feels too awkward for me on a Gamecube controller. Sometimes I'll claw on 360 controllers but that's really about it.

 

[Shin F.]

I hold Gamecube controllers naturally, but oddly enough, I sometimes hold Classic controllers with my index finger on the x button.

 

[Saikyoshi]

I HAVE to use the Natural grip because I have problems with Carpal Tunnel. It has it's disadvantages, yes, but I'm accustomed to using + rather than , so that's mainly a non-issue for me.

 

[arcticfox8]

I usually just mash my face on the controller
Did I mention I main Meta Knight?

 

[Ting Sing]

Let me be the odd one out in here by saying I play with both my thumb and index finger on . I don't use at all.
Yeah, I use two fingers to use one stick.

 

[menotyou135]

I've seen a few people who use the palm of their hand to c-stick so that they don't have to take their thumb off the face buttons. Actually, I might just try that myself.

 

[Raijinken]

I hold it normally, but I've also developed a way to play with my feet when I'm bored.

 

[Kankato]

@ Vigilante How long did it take to remove the muscle memory and play the stick backwards (I.e. Thumb left, character right)?

 

[menotyou135]

I know someone who does the same thing for Halo.

 

[Vigilante]

@ Vigilante How long did it take to remove the muscle memory and play the stick backwards (I.e. Thumb left, character right)?

There really wasn't an adptation period. The first time I picked up an NES controller, I played reverse style because my mother handed it to me upside down. I assumed that was the right way to play, so it kind of stuck even if I later realized I was playing differently from the intended controller hold.

I actually play much, much worse using regular holds in games like Smash Bros. where my muscle memory makes me self-destruct a lot. Iw as nearly beaten by a 13 year old casual gamer when he dared me to play normal, lol. It's weird because I adapted to other games for portables... but Smash, I really can't.

 

[Phaiyte]

Just put it in your hands and play. You don't need to claw in PM because of the ease of custom controls. The option is there. Use them.

 

[Shell]

I hold my controller...

 

[Spiffykins]

How hype would an arcade stick with analogue control be tho

I would try it

Just put it in your hands and play. You don't need to claw in PM because of the ease of custom controls. The option is there. Use them.

I still prefer clawing for dacus even though I never use the R button. It's legit.

 

[PMS | Tink-er]

I'm gonna concur with the others here and say you can play however is comfortable. And then remap whatever doesn't work. My playstyle has evolved from what I did as a kid (i.e. beyond specific ATs I don't use X, Y, Z, or R), so I remapped the buttons I don't actually actively use for easier access to character specific ATs.

 

[Kati]

Clawing allows for the most relaxed hand position, so referring to the standard grip as "natural" is slightly misleading.

 

[Vigilante]

Clawing is sort of a necessity for me since in reverse, it's the only way for your pinkie fingers to access the trigger buttons. I don't change the default controls mostly out of habituation.