The Nintendo Wii Classic Controller : Style And Comfort
The Nintendo Wii is known for its new remote controlled technology, but if you want to feel at home with the old school controller, they also offer the “Classic Controller.”
Since it’s the “classic” controller, it’s ideal for the good old Nintendo games of yesterday. It’s meant to be used for the games where you don’t use the innovative Wiimote, the Nunchuck, or any of the other fancy stuff, but you can use it with any game. This is the controller to use if you want to keep it simple.
The design is similar to the Super Nintendo game pad. It’s oval, and the buttons are shaped like a diamond. The buttons on the front are the good old X, Y, A and B buttons, and there are also four buttons on the top edge of the controller. It has a D-Pad and a start and select button.
The classic controller resembles the old Super Nintendo controller, but it’s a much smoother ride. The D-Pad is much more comfortable than the SNEC’s, and the controller fits right into your hand better. The analog sticks move like a dream compared to the old ones. The only problem is that the A, B, X and Y buttons are spaced further apart. It takes a little thumb stretching to use, but you get used to it. Still, it might tough to do some of those combinations moves on Street Fighter.
The buttons are rounded so that they’re easier on the fingers. The old controllers had indented buttons, which are easier to grip, but can get tiresome after a while. The classic controller was obviously designed with maximum gaming comfort in mind.
Contrary to what some have said, you can’t use the classic controller to play GameCube games. If that’s what you were expecting, you are better off getting something else. That’s one drawback of the controller.
Another drawback is that it draws it has to be connected through the Wiimote, which means that it also draws its power from it.
The classic controller’s left analog stick controls the cursor when you are in the Wii’s channel menu. It allows you to use the Virtual Console, where you can play classic Nintendo games.
That’s the true purpose of the Wii’s classic controller: to play all the classic games that Nintendo is putting out for the Wii. As cool as the remote controlled system is, you just can’t play Mortal Kombat or any of the thousands of other games Nintendo is planning to release. Pretty soon, the Virtual Console will enable you to access all the great games of yesteryear, and the classic controller is just the perfect, suped-up, retro controller to enjoy them with. Maybe next, they’ll release a really classic controller: a new model joystick! That would be just right for all those nostalgic arcade games.
The Wii’s classic controller goes for about $20, and there are places all over the net where you can get one, including at Amazon.com.