21 votes

The GameCube controller’s A button subtly taught us how to play

9 comments

  1. [6]
    Gyrfalcon
    Link
    As someone who was very into Super Smash Brothers Melee for a few years, I love the GameCube controller more than any other. However, what I don't understand is why there is no controller for...

    As someone who was very into Super Smash Brothers Melee for a few years, I love the GameCube controller more than any other. However, what I don't understand is why there is no controller for racing games and fps games where the right stick is swapped with the GCC's A button area. To me, that seems to be the perfect organization for those types of games because of heavy stick use, with a GCC better for fighting, adventure, etc.

    5 votes
    1. [5]
      NubWizard
      Link Parent
      Unfortunately, I think the other console makers whose player base depends on this games are also attached to the idea that their controllers are part of their brand and would t change it. Nintendo...

      Unfortunately, I think the other console makers whose player base depends on this games are also attached to the idea that their controllers are part of their brand and would t change it. Nintendo seems to be the only major hardware manufacturer interested in actively changing up the controller each gen.

      How do you feel about the Wii U pro controller? As someone with limited mobility in their right thumb, it's the perfect controller for me.

      2 votes
      1. [3]
        Gyrfalcon
        Link Parent
        I actually have never used the pro controller! The Wii was the last stop for me on consoles more or less, though I have used the Wii U gamepad. Do you mind explaining why the pro controller is...

        I actually have never used the pro controller! The Wii was the last stop for me on consoles more or less, though I have used the Wii U gamepad. Do you mind explaining why the pro controller is good for you?

        1 vote
        1. [2]
          Fin
          Link Parent
          Not OP, but the battery life is easily over 80 hours. The design is perfect aside from what I posted above that the controller doesn't have analog trigger buttons.

          Not OP, but the battery life is easily over 80 hours. The design is perfect aside from what I posted above that the controller doesn't have analog trigger buttons.

          1 vote
          1. Gyrfalcon
            Link Parent
            That is impressive battery life. However, I was more going for why the pro controller was good for @NubWizard with their limited mobility.

            That is impressive battery life. However, I was more going for why the pro controller was good for @NubWizard with their limited mobility.

      2. Fin
        Link Parent
        It's a shame the pro controller didn't have analog triggers. Otherwise it would be the perfect controller.

        It's a shame the pro controller didn't have analog triggers. Otherwise it would be the perfect controller.

  2. [2]
    Kiloku
    Link
    This button layout should have been kept. In the cross shaped layout, you can't easily/comfortably press 3 face buttons simultaneously or in quick succession. Counting on your sense of touch was...

    This button layout should have been kept. In the cross shaped layout, you can't easily/comfortably press 3 face buttons simultaneously or in quick succession. Counting on your sense of touch was also easier with that layout.

    In my dreams, I have an Xbox one controller with the GameCube's face buttons on the right side.

    3 votes
    1. kiyoshigawa
      Link Parent
      I actually find it easier to hit 3 buttons simultaneously on the switch controller, or similarly the steam controller. The buttons are smaller and closer together on these two controllers than the...

      I actually find it easier to hit 3 buttons simultaneously on the switch controller, or similarly the steam controller. The buttons are smaller and closer together on these two controllers than the buttons on the Playstation controllers and xbox controllers. My thumb is large enough to press all 4 buttons at once, and it's simple and comfortable to angle my thumb to hit combinations ergonomically.

      I did enjoy using the gamecube controller layout, but I find that using the switch controllers undocked is my most comfortable controller gaming experience yet, as I can move my hands independently of each other instead of having to keep them together to play. I might enjoy it if they had the gamecube button layout smaller on switch style split controllers, but in terms of what is available now, I prefer the switch split controllers with smaller buttons.

  3. Kraetos
    Link
    It's criminal that Nintendo didn't retain this layout for the Wii/Wii U/Switch Pro Controllers. Asymmetrical buttons are so much better than symmetrical buttons and the analog triggers provided so...

    It's criminal that Nintendo didn't retain this layout for the Wii/Wii U/Switch Pro Controllers. Asymmetrical buttons are so much better than symmetrical buttons and the analog triggers provided so much flexibility. All Nintendo ever had to do was add a ZL button to this design and they'd have controller perfection.

    Nintendo takes risks with pretty much every other aspect of console design and yet they inexplicably play it safe with their pro controller, while simultaneously sitting on one of the most fondly remembered controller designs in history. It's baffling.

    2 votes