13.3.2015

Top notch third party controller. Feels pretty similar to the real thing, perhaps a bit bulkier on the face of it than normal. Might throw out your muscle memory slightly, but you get used to it pretty quick. Just remember this is a Classic Controller, not a GameCube controller. It plugs into your Wii Remotes and works with any game that supports Classic Controllers on Wii or Wii U, including Smash for Wii U, Mario Kart and many Virtual Console games. You can't plug it into a GameCube or play GameCube games with it. Make sure your game supports Classic Controllers.The L and R trigger are now digital buttons, mapped to L and R. They're smaller and flatter, but feel pretty good, they're not easy to miss.Fells not too dissimilar to L2 and R2 buttons on Playstation, but with a nicely satisfying click. They're hinged at the top, like the PS3's L2/R2, and like the XB360's triggers, so some might find that annoying. The ZL and ZR buttons are pretty decent as well, though the slightly bulkier top face of the controller is slightly in the way of the middle of my index finger, so those used to using Z on a GC controller might find this annoying. Not a huge issue.Face buttons are pretty solid as well, though my X is a tiny bit spongier than the others. The buttons also go down a little further than a normal GC, but you can feel the click long before then so there's no need to do that. Not a big problem, happy overall, feels pretty faithful.The control stick and c-stick feel pretty darn good, though if you move the stick all the way, you can see inside the controller a little and see the edge of the stick's spherical innard. Minor aesthetic thing there. However, in action I'm pretty happy. C-stick feels near-identical, and functions pretty smoothly. Similarly, the control stick is pretty responsive, and not half bad. So far I'm impressed. Also, while the original controller's sticks would subtly try to guide you in the four compass directions, these sticks move smoothly in all directions, guided only by the octagonal notches around the side. Haven't found this an issue and in fact this can be handy at times for precision accuracy (such as in Smash with Pikachu and Lucario's recoveries), but some may benefit from the subtle guiding effect. If you compare these in person, the difference is very noticeable. Basically, the sticks move like, for instance, the Wii U Gamepad's sticks, only with the octagonal notches.The GC d-pad was, in opinion, pretty bad. It was handy dandy in games that only rarely use it, like Pikmin, but you could never control a menu or a GBA game with it. I much prefer this controller's d-pad, which is a lot larger and feels a lot more responsive. I haven't tested in-game other than taunting in Smash, but feel-wise it's pretty similar to the Gamepad's d-pad. Very impressed there.While I do like the fact that, as a classic controller internally, this controller has Start, Select and Home buttons, but if I go to pause I always go for the centre button, which is now home. I mean, I guess they couldn't really stray from the standard for the Wiimote, Classic and U Pro, but it does get on my nerves. On top of that, all the centre buttons are really spongy and feel like they're made of liquorice. The Start button is also under the lip on the right, and bumbling thumb can barely reach it. Not the best. Also, it has a turbo setting, despite turbo settings not helping in Smash at all. Still, you can use it in that 'auto-farm' for customs they had on Reddit. It'll likely not see much use.Overall, the controller feels decently faithful. It's made of a pretty smooth, lightweight plastic; a little cheaper-feeling than the proper controller, but it feels like it's been made of the higher-quality grade of thirdpartium. Still, feels almost off-puttingly light, so no use as a weapon for fending off burglars. The shape is pretty good, it's got the lovely comfortable handles, and the weird bulge at the back. Remember, no rumble. The bulkier top makes it feel every so slightly larger, and the slightly thinner by comparison ends of the handles make it feels slightly different in some way, like my wrists are at a slightly odd angle. It's pretty comfortable all-round, pretty faithful in most respects. Not the same thing as the original and I won't use this as my main pad, but as third party controllers go, this is one of the better ones. By far. Also, that d-pad.

14.1.2016

I've had this for a few months now so it's probably time to share my thoughts on it - it's an excellent controller, and a great substitute for the Gamecube Controller when you're playing older Wii games like Mega Man 9 or newer Wii U games like Mario Kart 8 that just... work better with it. The deco on the controller is also really nice; they picked out a really nice gold paint and the triforce symbol gives it a really cool look. I guess the buttons in the middle and the d-pad could be in a better colour but hey, I honestly don't mind. It's also worth noting that compared to an actual Gamecube Controller, the shoulder buttons are now actual buttons more similar to A and B as compared to the traditionally spring-loaded L and R of a normal Gamecube Controller.

10.4.2015

This controller is great.It feels just like a Nintendo Gamecube Controller except it has relevant shoulder buttons more suited for more modern Nintendo games with digital shoulder buttons.The sticks are great and the sticks are only slightly different but brings no disadvantage whatsoever.The buttons feel great though the A button click is noticeably loud.That problem may go away as you use it more.The shoulder buttons are great and finally are placed in the right order=L and R at the back and ZL and ZR are at the front.The Controller looks and feels great.The turbo function works fine and is simple enough to turn on and off and the menu bottoms work well and press in fine.The d pad is quite

1.12.2014

I am quite a fan of this pad but it isn't identical to an original Gamecube pad.First of all, you must have a wiimote to plug this pad into. It will not work without a wiimote.I didn't detect any input lag whilst this was plugged into a wiimote, I appreciate that wired connections are always faster than wireless connections but the wireless connection here seemed to do the trick.This pad has no rumble functionality. This has also has the knock on effect of making this pad rather light.The pad is bulkier at the back than a regualr gamecube pad. I still found it comfortable, but if you're set on the original shape, then you'll need the original pad.It feels fairly well made, but mine does have a rattle to it,

9.3.2015

Incredibly well made controller, light and comfortable to hold, mirrors the GameCube controller perfectly (hard to mess up when you're using the same mould) All of the shoulder buttons are well made and satisfying to use. The Dpad is soft and responsive, the increased size makes it vastly superior to the GameCube controller's version.The left and right thumb-sticks are responsive and accurate, sometimes a little too accurate from what I'm used to. (The jump from old, worn out controller to new is certainly jarring xD)Only slight gripe is that they used soft rubber for the middle buttons, making the start button feel oddly squishy when pressed,

17.2.2016

Firstly, I'd like to add I sold two wireless Wavebirds to raise the funds to buy these. The Wavebirds were the first decent first-party wireless controller, coming years before the DualShock 3 and XBOX 360 pad. I had recently upgraded to a Wii U, so other than Smash Bros, the Wavebirds were effectively redundant.OK, so this doesn't have rumble, but neither did the wavebirds, so I'm not missing anything there. What I have now benefitted from is the ability to play virtual console titles on the Wii U as well, in addition to Mario Kart 8, and the older Wii-based games that support Classic Controllers.These have two 'Z' buttons but more importantly, in comparison to the Classic Controller Pro and PDP pads,

9.3.2015

I brought this item on a whim, considering I already had a Gamecube controller and adapter for the Wii U, and upon receiving it, I'm honestly surprised at how good it is. It functions just like the aforementioned game pad, but at the same time it's got a wider range of playable games compared to the Gamecube adapter. This works splendidly with Mario Kart 8 And Super Smash Bros for Wii U, as well as the Virtual Console games on the original Wii, and with Wii game discs which support controller input.Keep in mind, this does require a Wiimote or Wiimote Plus to use, but this is worth the price for the quality you're paying for, and doubly so if you're a Pokémon fan like myself.

13.10.2015

Great controller.TBH better than the GameCube controller with an extra Z button (R,L,ZR,ZL) and the turbo button.That's where the cons come in.The turbo is good for trolling online in SSB4 (Multiple shielding.Unless you want to get banned for 10 mins from online Smash,big deal).But in Mario Kart 8,with turbo on it's drive,brake,drive,brake.You get the point.It would be 3 star,but the addition of compatibility in Wii games gives it that extra star.Just the turbo that isn't great.NB:This will not work as a GameCube controller.It works as a Classic Controller/pro.

28.2.2016

A really great controller that feels very much like the original Gamecube controller. However, I have two minor problems with it. Firstly, the buttons are very loud compared to the Gamecube controller and this annoys the people around me when I am playing with it. Secondly, and I know that as this functions as a classic controller this is unavoidable, it doesn't support rumble (This hasn't affected my rating which is just based on the noisy buttons).Overall I am really happy with this product! It is a shame about the very noisy buttons though!

21.3.2015

A very nice wii classic controller in a familiar GC shape, works with a wide range of games (anything on the wii or wiiu that can use the wii classic controller) great for mario kart, smash, wii virtual console games... etc etc. I found it a great controller for Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2. A far more versatile option than using the hard to find GC adapter for Smash4, especially if you still play your original wii collection (Xenoblade is fun with this controller too!)

27.8.2016

If your serious about your controllers this is the best gamecube style controller ive used. Hori are legendary for their controllers and these are superb. Having normal back triggers makes a great improvement and these work with a lot of wii, wii u and virtual console software. Great for dbz budokai tenkaichi 3, mario kart 8, smash bros, loads! Fantastic price I got 3 of these for when friends come round, who nearly always comment on how nice they are.

4.5.2015

Besides that, it's a spectacular controller all around.This Hori Pikachu GameCube-styled controller is identical to a Classic Controller but what makes it better is the layout itself as for me I've always been very fond of the Dreamcast/GameCube/Xbox-type controllers rather than a PlayStation one.As you can also see this doesn't have analogue triggers but instead digital triggers as does the

29.2.2016

This is a beautifully made controller (and as a Hori, I'd expect it to be). It looks fantastic, and will please any Zelda fans.I can't give it a five for two reasons:1. There's no rumble.2. It connects via a Wii Mote rather than directly to the console (unlike the first party Gamecube controller nintendo themselves make).If you can live with those two points then you'll love the remote.

15.1.2015

this is much better value than the official Nintendo gamecube controller as that one can only be used with super smash bros, but this one is classed as a 'classic controller' so is compatible with many more games. in fact I like it for Mario kart 8 as the big green A button is great for the accelerator.this does not need the 'gamecube adapter', it plugs into a wii remote

12.5.2016

I used to use an official GameCube controller through an adapter so the remote thinks it's a classic controller. My four year old has now claimed this set up so had to find a replacement. For my money this is the best classic controller you can get. Analog sticks feel identical to Nintendo originals, but with a much better d-pad.

Hori Wii U Battle Pad - Reviews

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