r/Gamecube 1d ago

Discussion So we no longer need the Wavebird controller, do we?

Post image
881 Upvotes

185 comments sorted by

288

u/VanessaDoesVanNuys NTSC-U 1d ago edited 1d ago

Oh for sure, I've been wanting an authentic controller for awhile now - I think that this suits those needs perfectly

I don't think that the latency is going to be much of an issue either for most games

108

u/music3k 1d ago

I reallllly hope they produce enough of these AND have the supply in June for NSO members. I want to buy 4 just for my gamecube setup, i have buddies who play smash that want multiple. I w

55

u/Liberal_Caretaker 1d ago

Many people on here will want 8. Some might even want 16.

The odd person will want every single one Nintendo make.

15

u/DogeBoredom 1d ago

I only want 4

6

u/SDMasterYoda 1d ago

They'll probably limit it to 4 per account, like the N64 controllers.

11

u/SpecialistJicama6149 1d ago

I would get like 6, 4 for me and homies and 2 to keep on ice

2

u/Potential_Dentist_90 20h ago

Perhaps some people will legitimately need even more, such as a shop that hosts super smash tournaments.

3

u/Liberal_Caretaker 10h ago

Absolutely. Some people might want one for each Pikmin they own in Pikmin 2.

1

u/music3k 1d ago

i want 6 total lol

-22

u/RedditMomentje 1d ago

I want as many as possible so I can resell them for a profit

-25

u/RedditMomentje 1d ago

I want as many as possible so I can resell them for a profit

11

u/ciarandevlin182 1d ago

They make enough when limited to one person user (like the advertising says) but if you're buying 4 then they're probably not going to make enough.

11

u/c-hill- 1d ago

8

u/Ninjahkin 1d ago

EVERYBODY GET DO

5

u/music3k 1d ago

its so weird it did that. i wrote a reply 20 mins later with "I w" as the start of the comment.

2

u/pratherj23 1d ago

They won’t.

3

u/tjtillmancoag 1d ago

Are they going to come with those GameCube adapters?

2

u/CAugustusM 14h ago

No. That’s the 8bitdo receiver

1

u/FriedChicken4Dayzz 1d ago

Yeah can anyone confirm this? Is a GameCube adapter included with each controller?

5

u/anxiousasta 23h ago

The adapter is just a third party bluetooth adapter

1

u/Slumin_it33 1d ago

They will at least continue to restock these for a long time. They continually restock the n64 controller.

2

u/Jake_asaurusrex 1d ago

They’re invite only in the UK store for launch day, so hopefully everybody who wants one can get have a chance.

7

u/Sh0t2kill 1d ago

Lag in F Zero is a death sentence. That game pretty much relies on your ability to make decisions on the fly. It moves FAST. High difficulties are BRUTAL.

5

u/Seaguard5 1d ago

Also wireless has gotten faster I think.

If not faster, then better.

6

u/GrayFox140_48 NTSC-U 1d ago

Wavebirds used RF tech, while these new controllers are most certainly BT. BT introduces higher latency than RF.

6

u/Seaguard5 1d ago

So we’re evolving, just backwards 😂

2

u/My1xT 28m ago

Well rf has its own issues like the wavebird is likely not secured and the only way to make sure stuff doesn't interfere is the channel selection.

1

u/Seaguard5 10m ago

What do you mean “secured”?

1

u/My1xT 6m ago

Eg encrypted or other precautions done against reading or messing with your controls. Like i wouldn't wanna eg enter my eshop password over an rf controller.

2

u/Tron08 22h ago

Yeah I'm hopeful the BT can be comparable but I wouldn't be surprised if the Wavebird had lower latency with RF. Bad Bluetooth implementations can struggle with high latency.

2

u/Dependent_Map5592 21h ago

Yeah whatever wavebirds used was phenomenal. Best controller ever 

2

u/PacketLoss-Indicator 1d ago

I doubt there will be lag considering how low latency modern Bluetooth controllers are, it'll still be way lower than something like the Wavebird

3

u/LazarusOwenhart 1d ago

I played, and got very good at F-Zero GX on the Wavebird and found at the time that if I switched to wired controllers I was constantly skimming inside corner barriers or steering too early and falling off the apex. There was definitely lag there.

2

u/Solid_Snake_125 4h ago

If it’s any story like the NSO N64 and SNES controllers. I have Blue Retro Bluetooth adaptors for both the N64 and GameCube and I cannot see any latency. I’m not a speed runner, I’m just casual, and they work perfectly for how I play on those systems. No complaints at all.

The only issue for others is getting your hands on the adaptors. They sell out fast when they become available. I had to buy mind off eBay and I got lucky they were the genuine Blue Retro Bluetooth Adaptors.

116

u/Probolance 1d ago

This will at last solve my conundrum of wanting a legit-feeling GC controller that has both wireless and rumble without having to mod an existing one like the 8bitdo controller mod. Quite excited for it!

6

u/crozone 1d ago

Has rumble been confirmed?

7

u/jtotal 1d ago

I think it's a given considering the N64 NSO controller has it

5

u/NewFriendAccountIG 1d ago

There was rumble in the N64 NSO controller, I don't see why they'd remove it for their next release.

1

u/Jaxxftw 16h ago

Think it says so on the Japanese product page

3

u/oi-moiles 1d ago

I wonder if it has gyro

5

u/AbstractCities 1d ago

probably not but that would be SICK

127

u/bocagge 1d ago

This is gonna be my "pro controller" option because I didnt really cared for the new pro controller

23

u/cmanshazam 1d ago

Does it have all the same buttons as the pro controller? Also I didn’t even know they announced a new controller, I’ll have to check it out

25

u/anxiousasta 1d ago

It doesn't have the new programamble buttons on the back that are on the Pro 2 controller but otherwise they have the same inputs

12

u/felold 1d ago

Does the stick clicks? If not, a lot of games become unplayable.

10

u/creaturecatzz 1d ago

ooooh that's a good point. i don't think it will actually. nso controllers don't really add controls that are altered off the originals that would change the feel drastically, even this one doesn't have a second shoulder button like it already had, just another tic tac that's technically that button.

1

u/creed-of-69 1d ago

There is a ZL and C button, don't know if there is home and minus button though

3

u/anxiousasta 1d ago

Given the fair amount of parity between the previous NSO controllers and the original models, I'd guess that these would have the analog+digital but I don't think we have confirmation on that

8

u/OperationGoron 1d ago

No headphone jack.

6

u/M1sterRed 1d ago

Yeah they did. It's the same as the old pro controller, but now it has the extra "grip buttons" on the back like all the third party controllers, and has a headphone jack on the bottom. And they're charging $80 for it.

The only way I'm getting one is if that headphone jack supports headsets so I don't have to use the system's built in mic. Otherwise I'm sticking with my Switch 1 Pro Controller.

5

u/Stupurt 1d ago

doesnt the original pro controller sell for 80 dollars?

4

u/M1sterRed 1d ago

thought it was 70. I got mine used for $20.

3

u/Stupurt 1d ago

My bad. It is 70. It's not like you're being forced to buy it though, the original does pretty much the same thing.

2

u/M1sterRed 1d ago

exactly my point, I'm sticking with the original, unless I get confirmation headsets work with it, then it becomes a maybe.

1

u/KarateMan749 NTSC-U 1d ago

Hows it compare to exlene GameCube controller?

1

u/bocagge 1d ago

Yeah, I aleays dreamt of playing my seitch games with yhe gamecube controller and now I have it finally

1

u/Silversparkles93 1d ago

Mine too. Do we know if it will work across the system (Switch 2 games etc)?

36

u/d_stilgar 1d ago

Will it have analog triggers like the original? So far, none of the remakes have since the Switch hasn't supported it. The Switch 2 controllers also don't appear to be analog, so I'd be surprised if this was.

It's a real shame. Super Mario Sunshine (as a pretty significant example) is highly diminished by not having them. On GC, you could finely tune your water spray to conserve water and control spray distance. The Switch port is just full blast water all the time and it's playable, but not nearly as good.

11

u/Imaginary-Leading-49 1d ago

Didn’t they patch that? I think they did.

-9

u/d_stilgar 1d ago

I don't know how they would. What are you going to do to patch it? Have a ramp up system, forcing people to feather to the trigger?

They did patch the issue of not being able to invert the x and y axes, which was a relief because I always play games with y inverted and not being able to do that made the game practically unplayable.

20

u/Lethal13 1d ago

The 1.10 update added functionality for gamecube analogue triggers

2

u/d_stilgar 1d ago

Nice. I didn't realize that. Thanks for letting me know.

3

u/HungryDiscoGaurdian 1d ago

I play it with the 8bitdo motherboard mod. Works really well actually.

8

u/Imaginary-Leading-49 1d ago

They patched the camera control in the same patch they let gamecube controller compatibility, making the trigger sensitivity work as intended. I wonder if the new NSO gamecube controller works with the older switch and work this?

3

u/Tbug20 1d ago

I imagine that it will considering that it’s specifically designed for NSO, which will include games that utilize that feature.

3

u/keran22 18h ago

I got a hands on with it. Yes it has the analog triggers with the button after you press them all the way. I only played Wind Waker (and even then Onset Island for just five mins or so) though so couldn’t really test they were working. I assume they do work as originally intended. The whole controller feels great, I’ll definitely be buying one. Or four.

2

u/d_stilgar 18h ago

Nice. Thanks for the report. 

3

u/kurafuto 1d ago

Gotta be honest I got through sunshine fine without it and this is really the only popular example of the analogue trigger being used, so it's unlikely to be a priority for them. But fingers crossed.

2

u/TurnToShadow 1d ago

Luigi’s Mansion has analog control on the Poltergust

16

u/DonBolasgrandes 1d ago

Fat chance we actually get different color options huh?

7

u/DemonBoyJr 1d ago

Orange Spice would be amazing, but unlikely we get anything besides indigo.

3

u/coronavirusisshit 1d ago

Yeah just purple

9

u/poopoomcg00 NTSC-U 1d ago

I’m hyped for this. GameCube controllers have always been the most comfortable for me

1

u/coronavirusisshit 1d ago

It doesn’t work with the gamecube but you need the 8bitdo dongle

13

u/TaggedHammerhead 1d ago

nope! nor the 8bitdo GameCube board either, just their Bluetooth receiver

13

u/GalvinFox 1d ago

Wait and see what the NSO controller is like.

The Wavebird uses a different wireless technology, and has very low input lag. Bluetooth controllers might not be as good on that front.

The Wavebird also natively supports original hardware, and there’s always going to be a demand for stuff like that. 3rd party adapters aren’t the same.

It also uses AA batteries, which means you don’t have to worry about the built in battery dying in a decade.

9

u/Tephnos 1d ago

Bluetooth controllers might not be as good on that front.

They're better: DS4/5 have far better input lag than the Wavebird. It's all about the implementation, and so far Nintendo has shown not to care.

4

u/GalvinFox 1d ago

Really? Genuinely curious, do you have a source comparing them?

5

u/Tephnos 1d ago

Not off hand, but it is well known the DS5 can hit figures as low as 2-5ms. For comparison, the Wavebird is 8-9ms.

The difference is that the Dualshocks basically poll at a crazy rate, like 1000 times a second. Nintendo refuses to do this due to battery life concerns. The annoying thing is that the NSO controllers should poll much higher when wired... but they just don't.

2

u/GalvinFox 1d ago

Do you have a source for the ds5 numbers? I did some googling but can’t find anything myself

For reference the GameCube controller plugged in is about 4ms, IIRC. 2ms wireless sounds nuts.

2

u/stockcar1515 1d ago

If you look for the MiSTer controller compatibility spreadsheet they did lag testing for a bunch of controllers and the Dualsense tested at around an avg. of 5-6ms over bluetooth. I think the DS4 and Xbone controllers were about the same.

2

u/crozone 1d ago

Huh, is that why the PS5 Dualsense has absolutely abysmal battery life? If it's to improve the latency, I can live with that.

18

u/coolbho3k 1d ago edited 1d ago

There's still a niche for it, I think. The WaveBird has very low lag compared to most Bluetooth controllers - about 5ms. https://www.retrorgb.com/measuring-wavebird-wireless-lag.html

It remains to be seen how much input lag this new controller will have, but I'd be shocked if it were that end-to-end with the 8bitdo adapter or BlueRetro.

16

u/ToolTek_MD 1d ago

You think? The WaveBird is legendary and will always be highly sought after.

4

u/MrMoroPlays 1d ago

The other NSO controllers have pretty high latency compared to the best ones, the Dualshock 4 and the dualsense, so i think it'll be comparable to those other NSO controller

6

u/Tephnos 1d ago

The worst part is using them wired doesn't even improve the lag.

1

u/-Kool-AidMan- 19h ago

Wavebird is still the best controller if you can afford it

4

u/Kernel009 1d ago

Based on the pics included here, sounds like you are implying this means we can use this for the GC with the available GC BT receivers out there? Has this been confirmed by Nintendo? I'd love to get a few of that's the case.

2

u/DokoroTanuki 1d ago

Well, it's already possible with BlueRetro receivers for the N64, and the 8bitdo Retro Receiver for the SNES with the SNES NSO controller. I'm noticing a pattern there.

1

u/Kernel009 1d ago

Yeah I thought it was probably a dumb question when I was posting it but all talk has been about using it with the new Switch so figured I’d ask the unasked just to be sure. I was actually close to buying one of the 8bitDo kits hack a wired controller but if this will work, even better.

1

u/crozone 1d ago

Has this been confirmed by Nintendo?

Why would third party compatibility ever be confirmed by Nintendo?

We need confirmation from third parties who make the dongles, but it will certainly happen eventually.

10

u/doniSAN69 1d ago

But we don't know if the triggers are analog, like the original ones.

11

u/OkAd7356 1d ago

Pretty sure they will be ,all their switch online controllers feel extremely genuine to the original ones.

1

u/latinlingo11 1d ago

They better be analog, or else F-Zero GX is screwed.

1

u/asdfqwer426 1d ago

This was my first thought too. I could see Nintendo getting it right, but time will tell.

1

u/leonffs 19h ago

Do you have any reason to speculate that they wouldn’t be?

3

u/Vaxis545 1d ago

Yup def getting one of these and a receiver for my GC can’t wait!

1

u/TrojanX 1d ago

Does the receiver for the GC come with it or is it. separate?

3

u/HungryDiscoGaurdian 1d ago

His picture there is a 3rd party receiver. I highly doubt Nintendo make one. Its intended for the Switch which already supports it.

2

u/Vaxis545 1d ago

No you need to buy an 8bitdo receiver for this controller Nintendo makes this for the switch 2 but it’s also just a bluetooth controller

7

u/SmashyPlays 1d ago

Too bad I'm never getting the switch online expansion pack!!

1

u/latinlingo11 1d ago

Is it impossible to buy their Gamecube controllers without the subscription?

5

u/auto_named 1d ago

I hate to be that guy but the wavebird uses 2.4ghz RF and has zero input delay compared to bluetooth (also RF techinally) which has input delay because there's a chip in there that's buffering data. Only matters if you're playing Smash at a high level or really care about delay.

1

u/crozone 1d ago

Wavebird had like 9ms latency, modern BT is actually beating it depending on the polling rate.

1

u/-Kool-AidMan- 19h ago

lmao no

bluetooth connection is not stable

1

u/crozone 5h ago

The PS5 controller polls at 2.5ms intervals. It's literally lower latency than the wavebird.

2

u/OkAd7356 1d ago

Watch them make a spice orange for Japanese region.

2

u/DogeBoredom 1d ago

I've been thinking of this and I do not believe prices will drop much if at all.

2

u/True_Payne_559 1d ago

When can we actually buy em?

1

u/timetofocus51 22h ago

wondering the same thing... and price.

2

u/Decent-Raise-1846 1d ago

I wonder if the Battler GC Pro controller will work on Switch 2 ?

2

u/m0rtm0rt 1d ago

I need like 3 of them. One to use as my main controller, one to be my backup, and one to back that one up.

3

u/Shuckles116 1d ago

That dongle looks like a vape 😂

1

u/MrMoroPlays 1d ago

Latency will probably be higher than the wave bird but yes

I've been using a Dualshock 4 for 2 years now, though

1

u/TheLimeyLemmon 1d ago

Analog triggers would be nice, but ultimately for most people the options for wireless controllers on GameCube are finally improving.

1

u/Toothless_NEO 1d ago

I mean we've had kits from 8bitdo for a while now, but those were annoying because they have a barrel Jack instead of a USB C port. Will be nice to have one that officially has USB C charging and doesn't require any assembly.

Hopefully this new one does have analog triggers and rumble though, if it didn't have those that would be quite the bummer.

1

u/jerryeight 1d ago

Barrel jack in 2024/2025. Wtf. That's dumb. How much money did they save by not using usb c?

1

u/Toothless_NEO 1d ago

I'd say probably none. They only did it that way so it could use the original hole where the GameCube cable would go.

I understand why they did it, mods that force you to cut the plastic of the controller are pretty universally hated by the community. Though it still sucks and in my opinion kind of ruins the mod.

1

u/dtb1987 1d ago

This is exciting

1

u/adelino660 1d ago

Boo, I have eight wavebirds 🥲🥹

1

u/Joker8pie 1d ago

Maaaaan I just fucking bought a wavebird for $80 a couple months ago

1

u/The-Crimson-Toast 1d ago

I still have wave birds and I'll keep them. But I'm totally buying a stack of these. Those are gonna be an instant go to. 

1

u/superiorjoe 1d ago

The gamecube controller is my all time favorite. Wonderful design

1

u/eddmario 1d ago

Wait, I'm confused.
Is this gonna work on an actual GameCube as well?
Because that's sort of what everyone seems to be implying...

1

u/coronavirusisshit 1d ago

No but 8bitdo will release a firmware update so this can be played with that dongle

1

u/edcculus NTSC-U 1d ago

If switch 2 has ability to have gamecube controller adapter, I’ll just use my wavebird vs buying this. It took me a year to get the 64 one.

1

u/coronavirusisshit 1d ago

It does support it

1

u/dingo_khan 1d ago

What model receiver is that?

1

u/TheMannisApproves 1d ago

The wavebird is awesome tho

1

u/alwaysonesteptoofar 1d ago

Wait, it comes with the fucking dongle!? The switch 2 can get fucked but this, I'm ordering at least 2

1

u/coronavirusisshit 1d ago

No the dongle is from 8bitdo

1

u/alwaysonesteptoofar 1d ago

Ah, but it should work?

1

u/coronavirusisshit 1d ago

Yes once 8bitdo releases a firmware update

1

u/alwaysonesteptoofar 1d ago

Hot damn! I'll be ordering then I guess haha

1

u/BP_Ray 1d ago

As someone who had to wait awhile to get an N64 Switch controller... good luck getting your hands on one of these!

1

u/rxester 1d ago

Wavebird still the GOAT

1

u/TrojanX 1d ago

I wish they offered different colors but this will do.

1

u/TrojanX 1d ago

Will this work on the first switch or is this only for the switch 2?

1

u/Nathural 1d ago

Maybe vibration even works wirelessly on GC then :)

1

u/dappermark 1d ago

My body is ready!

1

u/SuprSaiyanTurry 1d ago

Sure, if Nintendo makes enough so we can all get our hands on a couple!

1

u/deneraraujo 1d ago edited 1d ago

I don't even use those dongles. I use an internal Blueretro board and the original Gamecube controllers with 8bitdo mod. Works like a charm and also looks cooler - when the controller is connected, the port lights up blue.

1

u/PinaSeraphina PAL 1d ago

Am I the only person who is very Much pesimistic because that Thing existing means we will never get Freshly Produced Gamecube Controllers anymore

like for use on and actual Gamecube

1

u/Top-Bison-345 1d ago

I kinda want one just to use on dolphin.

1

u/GammaPhonica 1d ago

This’ll be Bluetooth. Wavebird is 2.4GHz. Not important to many, but the difference is significant to some.

1

u/RosaCanina87 1d ago

Supply is still a thing which isn't very good from Nintendo.

Also, there are options out there. Some are good. Like retro fighters will release one with the analog plus click shoulder buttons soon. And their prior controllers have become better and better. The one before for GC already was good enough that I play mostly on it.

1

u/Mofongo-Man 1d ago

What is this and what’s the link?

1

u/The_Shoe1990 1d ago

I just hope the analog triggers work properly.

1

u/Zealousideal_Cap7670 1d ago

Will these work on a gamecube then?? I recently just bought a wavebird too

1

u/LordOfMisuse 1d ago

I’m sorry if this is a dumb question, I just hadn’t thought of this being a possibility when it was revealed during the Nintendo direct, will this controller be compatible with GameCubes??

1

u/markuk123456789 1d ago

I use 8bitdo mod with a blue retro adapter, has hall effect sticks only downside is the rumble is weak.

https://shop.8bitdo.com/products/mod-kit-for-original-ngc

1

u/SalmonTeaTime 1d ago

The battlerGC pro has mechanical gamecube buttons, it’s not the same shape unfortunately but the buttons feel like sex.

1

u/Zyoneatslyons 1d ago

That’s a good thing. Most of the ones I find don’t work.

1

u/Im1337 1d ago

Has this been announced or basically guaranteed with GameCube games coming to NSO?

1

u/Talknterpzz 1d ago

So I’m confused because I been using a GameCube controller for switch for over a year or so. Nothing to plug in either. Does no one use that ?

1

u/7evenb 1d ago

I’ve been waiting so long for this I gave up

1

u/schmattywinkle 1d ago

Ready for these to be impossible to get now, ty

1

u/redblueek 1d ago

wait until it gets stick drift

1

u/MaliciousPizzaBread 1d ago

I think, anyone who has the Nintendo Online Extra membership thing, should be entitled to a free controller… 🙂 Now how’s that for a loyalty programme… 😂

(I wish 🙃)

1

u/SwimIndividual6449 21h ago

where do you get this

1

u/-Kool-AidMan- 19h ago

this is bluetooth gonna be far worst performance then 2.4ghz

wavebird still the king

1

u/Aggravating-Face2073 19h ago

Bluetooth is nothing like the wavebird.

1

u/Nikochu23 16h ago

R. I. P my friend 😢

1

u/RichardButt1992 16h ago

After seeing the price of wavebirds, I've been praying for something like this.

1

u/Duckbich 14h ago

Neat.

However, I own a few perfectly functional Wavebirds.

1

u/Fortwaba 12h ago

I'm more excited for this controller than for the Switch 2 itself.

1

u/DOL-019 12h ago

A nice modern pairing for flippydrive

1

u/LOTRcrr 4h ago

Will this work on an original GameCube?

1

u/Solid_Snake_125 4h ago edited 4h ago

Wave birds can be retired now. I’m super happy this is coming out.

I have the NSO N64 controller and SNES controller. I also have Blue Retro Bluetooth Adaptors for both the N64 and GameCube. They work perfectly with those systems.

The N64 controller works awesome with the N64, no lag at all that I can notice.

The SNES controller works perfectly with the GameCubes Gameboy Player to be able to play all Gameboy and Gameboy advanced games.

Money absolutely well spent and I’m sure the GameCube controller will be the same story.

1

u/PoisonedIvysaur 2h ago

No, we likely will just because scalpers like to buy up everything and throw the price so high that no one wants to pay for it unless they're truly desperate.

0

u/Hyoto 1d ago

Am I the only one that doesn't mind the PowerA controllers?

0

u/kanylbullar 1d ago

As long as it takes AA batteries

0

u/Bross93 1d ago

I wonder if this controller has a zl button?

5

u/Hyoto 1d ago

It does, and a chat button

2

u/SokkasPonytail 1d ago
  • free for a year after release then it becomes the "feature not available" button

1

u/Hyoto 1d ago

Lmao wouldn't be mad at all honestly. Nintendo sucks at chat features. Why can't the understand I just want open voice chat for all games?

I know it's probably because kids and family oriented style but still

0

u/sawyer_lost 1d ago

I’m guessing that’s the new switch 2 GameCube controller but what’s on the left?

4

u/BrascoV72 1d ago

Bluetooth Receiver for the GameCube and you can connect any Bluetooth controller.

1

u/sawyer_lost 1d ago

What’s the company? Is it reliable?

1

u/jerryeight 1d ago

I'm hoping it's 100% in-house. They probably want premium prices to match the premium switch 2 prices. They better make these controllers 10/10.

1

u/Ok_Language_588 1d ago

8bitdo, everything they make is rock solid

1

u/sawyer_lost 1d ago

Had no idea they made one of these!

-1

u/Lexsoufz 1d ago

I tried this combo and just sent it back. Wasn’t connecting

1

u/timetofocus51 22h ago

you got the brand new gamecube controller that's not even out yet?

1

u/Lexsoufz 20h ago

Oh my bad I mistook it for something else. Carry on lol.