Turbo/Macro Controllers

[Mecakoto]

I have found myself in a conundrum. My old Gamecube controller is near dead. The A-Button isn't very sensitive, the control stick is almost non-sensitive, and the R button is dead. So, obviously, I need a new GC controller, or a used one in good condition.

The simple solution is to go to my local gaming store and buy one there. Unfortunately, all their used ones are crap. I can't even wavedash with them consistently in Melee or do simple things in Brawl. With half of them I can't even go one direction without my character turning around in the opposite direction at random times. I looked for an alternative and found turbo/macro controllers.

I tried one of the used ones they had. It fit like my old Gamecube controller, played like my old Gamecube controller. Hell, had it not had the Turbo button, I'd of thought it was my old Gamecube controller. But there lies the problem: my old Gamecube controller is on it's last legs.

So, before I go out and spend $12 on a turbo/macro controller, I have a few quick questions about them:


Are they allowed in tournament play? If not, why?
I see no reason why they shouldn't. Turbo is slower then humans usually. (Luigi's Tornado only rises about half the height I can usually get it to)

And Besides having the extra turbo/macro buttons, is there anything that makes them worse then controllers without?


The tournament question is more important then the latter to me, but information with both would be nice.

 

[Amazing Ampharos]

In general, third party controllers are less reliable than first party ones; they tend to break faster and all around are lower quality. I suggest personally just dropping the extra money and getting a new official controller; it's really worth it.

However, as per the legality, I think you're going to find different hosts say different things. Using turbo functionality is going to be banned basically everywhere; it really is an unfair advantage. For instance, in brawl, turbo up is a super easy meteor cancel. You don't have to focus on mashing it; you just hold up and turbo as soon as you see yourself get hit by a meteor and will probably get a meteor cancel at a decent enough time. You'll be able to get acceptable grab breaks easily while still focusing on DIing the throw properly (turbo A and whichever direction you want to DI). It makes hitting SDI much easier. With macro buttons, you could set things like automatic wavedashes which, while it's true that everyone at a high level can do wavedashes anyway, is an unfair advantage because you can do them with significantly less concentration resources. Actually using these features is just unacceptable.

I said some TOs will give you different answers because some might be okay with you using the controller and just not using the turbo/macro buttons. Others will say (very fairly) that they can't be guaranteed you aren't using them and will insist you use another controller. I would personally really suggest that you just get a new, official controller; it will last you for years and work for both games and be completely uncontroversial. If you really want to push forward with the turbo one, you probably should talk to your local TOs and see what they think about it and know you might have trouble traveling with it.

 

[Mecakoto]

I can see where it can become a hassle for me. I think I will order an official controller online or through my local gaming store if I can't find a decent controller in the next few days.

 

[SpongeBathBill]

Yeah, definitely go for the first-party stuff. Nintendo hardware is practically invincible.

For the reasons Amph explained, I've only ever heard of Turbo controllers being completely banned in all tournaments everywhere. Makes sense; I mean, if everybody was focussed on the match, how would anyone even know if somebody was using the turbo functionality? (Is that possible?) And how could they possibly prove it? Yeah.

 

[KAOSTAR]

Everyone is right about tournament hosts saying different things and whatnot. Its better to go official but do what you want.

The general rule is you can have whatever controller you want but you cant use the extra features.

Turbo wont help much with possible those few exceptions.

Now the madkatz macro doesnt actually work with DI. What I mean is that while the function is in use u cannot DI at the sametime. Also macro doesnt work for the control stick so no auto WD there.

I can see it used well for frame perfect Jc shines which might be a problem tho.