So why is the GameCube controller so popular?

[Norm]

I would say mostly for myself it's comfortable, I'm used to it, why change up controllers if what I already know and like is going to work with it. If Nintendo does pump out the gamecube controller for the wii U I'll probably pick it up. I've gone two games using the same controller as the old saying goes. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[Altais]

Compared to the Nunchuk and Classic Controller, the GameCube controller does have a larger control stick, which does allow for better precision.

Though stubbornness to change and adapt is a partial factor for some players, frankly the GameCube controller does have its advantages, which previous posters have pretty much specified.

Personally, I prefer the Classic Controller, as (1) it takes be back to mine childhood, and (2) it just feels right for me, even though the smaller control stick makes precision more difficult--but I have worked past that hurdle through practise.

 

[ryuu seika]

Until the Gamecube came out, I'd never played with anything but the N64 pad or computer controls. I loved my N64 and was a touch sceptical about the GC replacing it but, from the moment I picked up that controller, I was sold. It just felt so right.
So right that I played it till the rubber wore off the control stick. And then part of the plastic beneath.

The D-pad and C-stick were out of the way but not of reach. The main button was the big focus, just like it should be. From there, X and Y could be reached simply by rocking, perfect for racing games, and B was close but again, subtle enough that accidental use of the pointless break/block button didn't screw you over in racers and conventional fighters.
The triggers molded perfectly to the user's fingers and Z fit perfectly into the intuitive location for the index finger, without being so responsive that a loose grip would trigger it.
And, of course, it was a comfortable shape.

Many things were right about it. Things that are most definitely not about the Wii Remote/Nunchuck or the Xbox controllers (I've never tried the Wii U Pro).
It is not, however, irreplaceable. As the Dualshock 3 proved to me, other controllers can feel just as good as the GC one and, while an all round terrible shape and feel, the Xbox one has some of the very best in analogue sticks.

No, no other controller has a C-stick designed for smashing but remember, no other game needs it. You learnt to play Smash 64 without it and you had to make do without for the one player modes aswell, though. C-Smashes are not a make or break feature.

I love the GC controller as much as the next guy but I will be moving on, regardless of what replicas may surface.

 

[D-idara]

Until the Gamecube came out, I'd never played with anything but the N64 pad or computer controls. I loved my N64 and was a touch sceptical about the GC replacing it but, from the moment I picked up that controller, I was sold. It just felt so right.
So right that I played it till the rubber wore off the control stick. And then part of the plastic beneath.

The D-pad and C-stick were out of the way but not of reach. The main button was the big focus, just like it should be. From there, X and Y could be reached simply by rocking, perfect for racing games, and B was close but again, subtle enough that accidental use of the pointless break/block button didn't screw you over in racers and conventional fighters.
The triggers molded perfectly to the user's fingers and Z fit perfectly into the intuitive location for the index finger, without being so responsive that a loose grip would trigger it.
And, of course, it was a comfortable shape.

Many things were right about it. Things that are most definitely not about the Wii Remote/Nunchuck or the Xbox controllers (I've never tried the Wii U Pro).
It is not, however, irreplaceable. As the Dualshock 3 proved to me, other controllers can feel just as good as the GC one and, while an all round terrible shape and feel, the Xbox one has some of the very best in analogue sticks.

No, no other controller has a C-stick designed for smashing but remember, no other game needs it. You learnt to play Smash 64 without it and you had to make do without for the one player modes aswell, though. C-Smashes are not a make or break feature.

I love the GC controller as much as the next guy but I will be moving on, regardless of what replicas may surface.

The Wii Remote and the Nunchuk are obviously ergonomic.

 

[ryuu seika]

The Wii Remote and the Nunchuk are obviously ergonomic.

Nintendo would have you believe so...

 

[Deleted member 245254]

Nintendo would have you believe so...

You could write a similar essay to yours on why the Wii U Pro is perfect, or the Classic.

It's purely opinion.

There's no mechanical advantage to using a GCC. It's all in your head.

 

[Artsy Omni]

You could write a similar essay to yours on why the Wii U Pro is perfect, or the Classic.

It's purely opinion.

There's no mechanical advantage to using a GCC. It's all in your head.

I'd love to read those essays. =P

I'm personally going to be using the Pro controller unless somebody makes a spot on GCN attachment or something.

To reiterate ryuu seika said, the GC controller's button layout actually gives priority to a specific button, where the Pro controller gives all 4 buttons equal prominence. One could argue that the Pro controller is more versatile because of this, but the control scheme of Smash Bros (at least, specifically Melee and Brawl) and the layout of the GC controller are a match made in heaven.

That being said, this game is being designed with the assumption that the pro controller is the only feasible option for a traditional layout, so adjustments could be made to the gameplay to support that fact, but if the gameplay remains largely unchanged, the GCN controller layout is still the most fitting for Smash.

 

[Deleted member 245254]

I'd love to read those essays. =P

I'm personally going to be using the Pro controller unless somebody makes a spot on GCN attachment or something.

To reiterate ryuu seika said, the GC controller's button layout actually gives priority to a specific button, where the Pro controller gives all 4 buttons equal prominence. One could argue that the Pro controller is more versatile because of this, but the control scheme of Smash Bros (at least, specifically Melee and Brawl) and the layout of the GC controller are a match made in heaven.

That being said, this game is being designed with the assumption that the pro controller is the only feasible option for a traditional layout, so adjustments could be made to the gameplay to support that fact, but if the gameplay remains largely unchanged, the GCN controller layout is still the most fitting for Smash.

Maybe to you.

Plenty of people who maybe were brought in to Smash through Brawl may have only played Smash entirely on a Classic Controller.

I could write an essay on how the Wii U Pro is the most comfortable controller to see existence this generation, but you wouldn't agree with it.

It's nothing but experience bias. As long as your hands get used to hitting each of the buttons where necessary in a meta-game environment, any control could be your optimal Smash control.

 

[Artsy Omni]

Maybe to you.

Plenty of people who maybe were brought in to Smash through Brawl may have only played Smash entirely on a Classic Controller.

I could write an essay on how the Wii U Pro is the most comfortable controller to see existence this generation, but you wouldn't agree with it.

It's nothing but experience bias. As long as your hands get used to hitting each of the buttons where necessary in a meta-fame environment, any control could be your optimal Smash control.

Yes, you're right that it's a matter of learning, but that's not 100% of the factors involved. The positioning of the buttons factors into how much distance the thumbs or fingers have to travel in order to accomplish a sequence of inputs. If you had a machine that could only move at a fixed speed and told it to travel to and press all of the buttons required to execute a series of actions, the mere fact that the controllers aren't identical means that ONE of the controllers will come out on top.

Now does that fact necessarily translate to a practical situation between 2 human beings? Maybe not. But the fact still remains. According to how Super Smash Bros is played, the button configuration of the GC controller seems to be the most optimal, even if only marginally.

Obviously it'll always boil down to "who's the better player." A person skilled enough with an inferior controller can still beat somebody using a superior controller.

It's not ALL about the science of how the controller is constructed, and it's not ALL about how the player learned. BOTH are factors. You could argue that if a person were to learn on a GC controller, then completely forget how to play and then relearn on the Pro controller, with all other factors remaining equal, he might reach the same level of proficiency faster on the GC controller because of the button layout.

Again, is this observation practical? Maybe not. But the fact still remains.

 

[Deleted member 245254]

Yes, you're right that it's a matter of learning, but that's not 100% of the factors involved. The positioning of the buttons factors into how much distance the thumbs or fingers have to travel in order to accomplish a sequence of inputs. If you had a machine that could only move at a fixed speed and told it to travel to and press all of the buttons required to execute a series of actions, the mere fact that the controllers aren't identical means that ONE of the controllers will come out on top.

Now does that fact necessarily translate to a practical situation between 2 human beings? Maybe not. But the fact still remains. According to how Super Smash Bros is played, the button configuration of the GC controller seems to be the most optimal, even if only marginally.

Obviously it'll always boil down to "who's the better player." A person skilled enough with an inferior controller can still beat somebody using a superior controller.

It's not ALL about the science of how the controller is constructed, and it's not ALL about how the player learned. BOTH are factors. You could argue that if a person were to learn on a GC controller, then completely forget how to play and then relearn on the Pro controller, with all other factors remaining equal, he might reach the same level of proficiency faster on the GC controller because of the button layout.

Again, is this observation practical? Maybe not. But the fact still remains.

Your entire argument is that the GCC controller places emphasis in a "dynamic" way according to Smash's control scheme.

Button sizing emphasis =|= more suitable of a controller. The distance between buttons is below the threshold of relevance when it comes to comparing the GCC to say, the CC or the Wii U Pro (assuming the control scheme remains similar in concept). In any case you can customize your buttons too.

If I'm trying to compare the optimal frame work for which I can step over an object that is 1 mm tall, and an object that is 2 mm tall, the difference in the objects size has absolutely no relevance to the fact that I can step over both with zero effort, without even changing my technique (of walking).

Button placement/sizing (between the mentioned controllers) is only an important factor in comfort-ability to folks who don't want to move on. If the GCC had gone a more traditional route in the first place, then there'd be much less whinging about moving in to this new iteration of Smash since they wouldn't have such a wack-tastic control to attempt to move on from. The GCC was criticized early on for being the ugliest thing the industry had ever seen, despite its functional performance.

 

[CrusherMania1592]

The Gamecube and Melee basically made the series popular. Players were excited when one of the options was to use the Gamecube controller for Brawl again.

 

[Deleted member 245254]

The Gamecube and Melee basically made the series popular. Players were excited when one of the options was to use the Gamecube controller for Brawl again.

I'd say it was the N64 version that made the game popular.

Otherwise we wouldn't have even gotten Melee in the first place...

 

[allison]

I've been practicing with the Classic Controller in Brawl to get ready for Smash 4, and came up with an interesting face button scheme for the SNES-style layout. A and B use standard attacks, Y uses specials, and X jumps. I position my thumb so that I can hit X or Y with the tip, and have standards/aerials available at all times. Although this brings prominence back to standards, it's of course still not perfect; C-stick is still a bit odd, etc.

 

[Artsy Omni]

Your entire argument is that the GCC controller places emphasis in a "dynamic" way according to Smash's control scheme.

Button sizing emphasis =|= more suitable of a controller. The distance between buttons is below the threshold of relevance when it comes to comparing the GCC to say, the CC or the Wii U Pro (assuming the control scheme remains similar in concept). In any case you can customize your buttons too.

If I'm trying to compare the optimal frame work for which I can step over an object that is 1 mm tall, and an object that is 2 mm tall, the difference in the objects size has absolutely no relevance to the fact that I can step over both with zero effort, without even changing my technique (of walking).

Button placement/sizing (between the mentioned controllers) is only an important factor in comfort-ability to folks who don't want to move on. If the GCC had gone a more traditional route in the first place, then there'd be much less whinging about moving in to this new iteration of Smash since they wouldn't have such a wack-tastic control to attempt to move on from. The GCC was criticized early on for being the ugliest thing the industry had ever seen, despite its functional performance.

Meh, I suppose you're right that any ergonomic differences between the controllers is largely impertinent to the fact that the GC controller is really the crowd favorite because it has the highest adoption rate due to its widespread use in 2 consecutive games. Touché.

 

[Road Death Wheel]

Gamecube controller is popularbecase people used it a long time and built a cult around it. Never tried a wiiu pro contoller.
People don't like change. -.-

 

[Saito]

There's no mechanical advantage to using a GCC. It's all in your head.

What do you mean by "mechanical"

 

[Deleted member 245254]

What do you mean by "mechanical"

Using a GCC is not superior simply because it is a GCC.

By mechanical I mean how it functions physically compared to competing controllers.

 

[Smash G]

My reason is the ABXY button layout. It just seems perfect for Smash Bros. I don't really have to move my thumb. When compared to the classic controllers where my small thumb can almost fit between that large ugly gap... there's no contest.
Also I like the Z buttons behind in front of the L and R. Plus I'm just used to it .

 

[Elyssa Xey Hexen]

I am not sure if anyone confirmed it yet, but weupro seems awkward with the right stick sitting up higher compared to lower. At least, trying to imagine doing something like jump -> stick down for an aerial seems really slow. On the contrary, jump -> stick up seems really simple and fast by comparison. But, not like this really mattered much I think for anything other than melee.

Anyway, wired controllers means no issues over syncing a controller from one console to another at tournaments. This is really the only reason I see GC being as popular as it is currently.

 

[Saito]

What is it about the GameCube controller that everyone likes and why can't you get that with a Classic or Classic Pro controller?

It doesn't feel as comfortable.

That's pretty much it.

Out of every controller that I've held, and that pretty much accounts for every major controller aside from the Xbox one and the Ps4 controller, I'd say the gamecube controller felt the best.

assuming there was no gamecube controller and I could choose any other controller, I'd probably go with the PS2 controller.

-------------
If we are talking about controllers for smash brothers, it would be....

GCC > PS2 > Classic Controller Pro > Xbox 360

I omitted controllers that were too similar to each other.

 

[Shariq]

because it is a good and comfortable controller.

 

[Moldy Clay]

Button layout.

The placement of the sticks, the actual stick itself's texture, the ABXY buttons were perfect for attacking and jumping with ease, the triggers *felt* great, everything about it was literally great.

People are also too used to it now, and every SSB title is playable with it on Wii. It's basically the SSB controller. Everyone's used it for SSB since 2001.

I'm not unwilling to move on, but it *was* a better layed out controller than almost everything before and after.

 

[ryuu seika]

You could write a similar essay to yours on why the Wii U Pro is perfect, or the Classic.
It's purely opinion.
There's no mechanical advantage to using a GCC. It's all in your head.

I am fully aware of that and did try to make it clear that my post was not about why the GC controller is superior but rather about exactly why I developed an attachment to it.

It was also an example of how, for me atleast, the controller comfort I thought to be unparalleled could infact be matched by something entirely dissimilar.

It was a story of how I'm happy to move on and how others should try to be too.

That said, the C-stick actually is superior to any other second analogue in the context of this one series.

 

[Deleted member 245254]

I am fully aware of that and did try to make it clear that my post was not about why the GC controller is superior but rather about exactly why I developed an attachment to it.

It was also an example of how, for me atleast, the controller comfort I thought to be unparalleled could infact be matched by something entirely dissimilar.

It was a story of how I'm happy to move on and how others should try to be too.

That said, the C-stick actually is superior to any other second analogue in the context of this one series.

Well this post was good until you ended it there with a blatant contradiction right back to square 1.

Just because you think the GCC C-Stick is the best possible circumstance for a 2nd stick on a controller doesn't mean everyone else agrees with you.

The GCC is not objectively better than other controls. You're just a human being with preferences.

 

[Elyssa Xey Hexen]

Well this post was good until you ended it there with a blatant contradiction right back to square 1.

Just because you think the GCC C-Stick is the best possible circumstance for a 2nd stick on a controller doesn't mean everyone else agrees with you.

The GCC is not objectively better than other controls. You're just a human being with preferences.

Hmm... I think you could objectively rule some controller as being better than another one. You both would just have to agree on what criteria to evaluate to reach those decisions. For example, configuration of buttons given the commands to be executed. Perhaps, hardware fault or not. 3rd party tend to fail more often than 1st party it seems, but I would need some data to back that up otherwise (subjectivity!!!).

 

[ryuu seika]

Just because you think the GCC C-Stick is the best possible circumstance for a 2nd stick on a controller doesn't mean everyone agrees with you.

I said for Smash. It is accepted fact that the 'cube's C is designed to be caught by the button hand and flicked, rather than used carefully and with a good degree of player control like the equivalent on other controllers.

For multiplayer Smash, precise control is not needed and the ease with which it can be flicked in your direction of choice is a major plus.
For any other game, however, it is terrible. Players want precise camera controls so they can look and/or aim correctly.

There is a reason no other controller has had a C-stick and it's the same reason so many tutorials exist on how to swap it for a second analogue.
The C-stick is not just subjectively but objectively terrible. It is, however, terrible in all the right ways for this one particular series.

The rest of the controller may well just be personal preference.

 

[Deleted member 245254]

Hmm... I think you could objectively rule some controller as being better than another one. You both would just have to agree on what criteria to evaluate to reach those decisions. For example, configuration of buttons given the commands to be executed. Perhaps, hardware fault or not. 3rd party tend to fail more often than 1st party it seems, but I would need some data to back that up otherwise (subjectivity!!!).

Yes, I acknowledge that this can be true but only in absurd circumstances.

For example, if the Wii U Pro controller turned the shield triggers in to pressing the analog stick up, or moved jumping to up on the d-pad. Something utterly ridiculous like that. Things that actually make certain parts of smash more impractical as a result of their terrible layout/scheme.

The fact of the matter is, the schemes just do not differ enough to make this any kind of issue. The most major criteria people cite for the GCC vs Wii U Pro are the right side face buttons being sized "appropriately" to Smash, and the analog "c stick" being swapped to be above the face buttons.

The buttons being differently sized on the GCC isn't an inherent advantage of the controller unless you are guilty of intense amounts of wrong inputs. As long as the buttons are reasonably reachable by your thumb, there is inherently no difference between either control, whether the button sizes are different or not, it's just about muscle memory. Same goes for the analog stick. It's just swapped with the buttons. The only difference here is the direction that your thumb moves. It's simply reverse. It's not made to be longer, or more arduous. Your thumb isn't walking up a hill both ways to school all of the sudden. It's the same dang distance.

It's just about getting used to it. That's it.

I said for Smash. It is accepted fact that the 'cube's C is designed to be caught by the button hand and flicked, rather than used carefully and with a good degree of player control like the equivalent on other controllers.

For multiplayer Smash, precise control is not needed and the ease with which it can be flicked in your direction of choice is a major plus.
For any other game, however, it is terrible. Players want precise camera controls so they can look and/or aim correctly.

There is a reason no other controller has had a C-stick and it's the same reason so many tutorials exist on how to swap it for a second analogue.
The C-stick is not just subjectively but objectively terrible. It is, however, terrible in all the right ways for this one particular series.

The rest of the controller may well just be personal preference.

See my points above. It's all your personal preference. I don't hate the GCC. In fact I love it like most smashers, but I respect a good control when I see/play with it, and it's time for Smashers to stop living in the past.

 

[Saito]

It's all your personal preference. I don't hate the GCC. In fact I love it like most smashers, but I respect a good control when I see/play with it, and it's time for Smashers to stop living in the past.

You know, because of your wording it's hard to tell if you are saying that everyone should drop the GCC controller and move on, or if you are just specifically referring to people who think about GCC's as the holy grail of controllers for smash.

If you think everyone should drop the gamecube controller just because a new controller is there then I'd say you're wrong.

If you think people should not be so eager to write off a new controller then I'd say that you are right.

 

[ryuu seika]

It's all your personal preference.

It really isn't.
Every other aspect is personal preference and the presence C-stick is certainly not a make or break, making the inability of some to move on quite ridiculous but the C-stick itself is objectively better for smashing with than any other.

Now if you were trying to tell me the using the C-stick at all is personal preference, I would totally agree, and that would be even more reason why this one small superiority isn't a big deal.

 

[Z1GMA]

Simply put; it's like your hands have met their one-and-only.

This guy speaks the truth.
It is the most ergonomically designed controller to have been made, ever.
Also, the accuracy of the Control Stick is just fantastic - in a league of its own.

The accuracy-difference between the GC-controller and the classic/classic pro can't be put into words.

 

[Deleted member 245254]

or if you are just specifically referring to people who think about GCC's as the holy grail of controllers for smash.

This is who I'm addressing.

It really isn't.
Every other aspect is personal preference and the presence C-stick is certainly not a make or break, making the inability of some to move on quite ridiculous but the C-stick itself is objectively better for smashing with than any other.

No, it isn't. It is your preference.

 

[Road Death Wheel]

on the classic controller pro i felt the need to mention its alot more comfortable when you make B attacks and Y specials
x and a both jumps

 

[Saito]

it's time for Smashers to stop living in the past.

It doesn't look like that will be able to happen.

 

[Hong]

"Move on", "let it go", "stop living in the past".

WHAT

NOW

LET'S GO!


Even the vast majority of the people who are new to Smash prefer the GCN controller. Peer pressure is a part of it, sure, but it's also as good as it will get for the game. Aside from the trigger buttons there is NOTHING I would change about the Gamecube controller if I could. The developer agrees.

But hey, if you think we should "move on", you are free to use your Wii Pro Controller. No one is stopping you.

 

[Deleted member 245254]

"Move on", "let it go", "stop living in the past".

WHAT

NOW

LET'S GO!


Even the vast majority of the people who are new to Smash prefer the GCN controller. Peer pressure is a part of it, sure, but it's also as good as it will get for the game. Aside from the trigger buttons there is NOTHING I would change about the Gamecube controller if I could. The developer agrees.

But hey, if you think we should "move on", you are free to use your Wii Pro Controller. No one is stopping you.

What does me using a Wii U Pro controller have to do with you "moving on"?

There's no reason to act like the new announcement doesn't change anything. Whether it was difficult or easy to see it coming, best option is to move forward and let everyone pick their controller of choice. Least we can stop arguing about it now.

 

[grizby2]

it was made to be played with smash bros. first with melee, second with brawl, and even a 3rd time with 64 on the VC. 3-time compatibility with the same game series. that's pretty good.

 

[EustaceDaBum]

I know I'm gonna' get flocked around like nobody's business, and that's why I'm asking this:

I learned how to play Super Smash Bros. on an Xbox 360 controller, via my friends emulator. It wasn't the best option to play with as that the right stick wasn't the best distance away. I used the Classic Controller for the Wii, and loved using it. It's a great way to play. But after the announcement of the GameCube Controller adapter, people started talking about how great the GC controller was, and how it was the best controller Nintendo has ever made, and so on...

But I'm wondering: What makes the GameCube Controller so great?

I've used it once before, and the button layout was confusing. Several times in the match I played, I accidentally pressed A instead of B, and occasionally vice versa. I'm not hating on this controller, but I am wondering, as I restate:

What makes the GameCube Controller so great?

 

[Maxoxpower]

i played smash GAMECUBE with gamecube controller
i played smash WII with gamecube controller
and i will play smash wii u with gamecube controller

 

[EustaceDaBum]

Yeah, that's all fine and dandy. But why do you want to play Smash Bros. with the GC controller?

 

[Maxoxpower]

this controller fit perfectly with the game... maybe because my really first smash was on gamecube and i used to play with it.

like you with your first time with the game on xbox controller