Gamecube general questions.

1 - Are there any Gamecube controllers with a simple button layout similiar to a PS one? The closest I can find is the Wii Classic Controller which doesn't really count since it can't be linked to an actual GC.

2 - What's the best alternative to the Gamecube component cable that doesn't cost 3 digits? And how come the ones we see up amazon/ebay are the JP ones? DId they ever release these in the NA?

3 - Is there a way (such as programs) to allow the adding of my own codes for my Datel AR V1.2? They removed the option for w/e reason. Also, what's the best cheat/code disc for the gamecube anyway? (Kind of like Codebreaker v9.2 for the PS2).

 

1) I don't know of any off the top of my head (other than some steering wheels that were for all systems of the time), but there are a few converters that let you use a PS2 controller on a GC.

2) Not that I'm aware of, and the US component cables were released in a very very low quantities only on Nintendo's online store. Also, they don't have audio. I don't know why.

 

Nyko, I believe, made an adapter that allows you to use a PS2 controller on a GameCube. I still have one somewhere. The buttons are different obviously, but they remapped them to logical positions - like R2 for Z, etc. I've only tried it with an official DualShock 2, but it should work with any PS2 controller - except for guns, steering wheels, etc.

 

2) I'll rephrase my question. What is the best alternative? Since I know there aren't true substitutes due to that hidden chip inside the adapter itself. I'm thinking of the Madcatz S-Video. In fact, how big of a difference does it make? Should I just stick with Composite?

I couldn't find it when I looked due to them calling it the "Play Cube" and not "Controller Adapter" which were the terms I was using. Anyway, thanks.

 

Absolute best alternative in terms of image quality is a PAL GC with an RGB cable, but may not be the most convenient option.

I find component quality is noticeably better than composite, but I cannot give any advice on S-Video as I've never used it.

http://retrorgb.com/gamecubecompare.html

 

It would've been redundant to put an audio digital-to-analog chip in each component cable. Gamecube already outputs analog audio.

 

For picture, I'd say your best bet would be to find a used backwards-compatible Wii and a set of component cables for that. It'd be a far cheaper setup than how much GCN component cables go for these days (though you'd be sacrificing things like the Gameboy Player). The picture is apparently not quite as good on a Wii as it is on a GCN, but when I saw the two different setups in action myself I had to go out of my way to find the differences.

 

I actually have that already. Problem is I'm too lazy to mod my Wii since it is NTSC-U, and the GC games I play mostly are NTSC-J. Also, can the Wii use the GC/GBA connector?

And what the heck happened to my first post?

 

It's very easy to do a softmod of the Wii. Depending on the features you want, it takes maybe an hour at most. M. Bison is right in that you can't use a Game Boy Player on a Wii - so if you want to play GBA games on a TV, your only option is to use a Gamecube (or an AGB-CAPTURE). The advantage of the Gamecube component cable over SCART or S-Video is that it can carry 480p video. A majority of GC games support 480p, and the difference is pretty noticeable. GC component cables can also be modded to output VGA, which should give comparable or slightly better video quality at 480p.

 

You talkin' bout the thing that lets you link up a GBA to use things like the Tingle Tuner in Wind Waker? If so, then yes; I believe that cable works.

 

I'm pretty certain that the Wii will do everything the gamecube would that only needs the controller and/or memory card ports as it's a similar chipset.

When you say a simple button layout similar to a ps one, surely you mean similar to a SNES since Sony basically ripped off the design right!?

Anyway, do you mean the 4 button layout? One of the main points of the gamecube BIG A button was that it was the main button, it was made to be simple!
B was the secondary button with the X and Y kidney shaped buttons up next, the Gamecube pad was awesome!

If you mean similar in terms of D-Pad and buttons location, for playing GBA for example, there is the Hori Classic controller, which is essentially a SNES pad, but with gamecube big A, small B and kidney X Y, they are very nice, though a touch pricey nowadays I reckon.

The GBA cable will work on a Wii, though very few games used it I reckon.

 

Wait, I actually need to take my memory card out and put it in my Wii?

My main dissatisfaction with the controller is the fact that the D-pad location too much to the south and the joystick positions relative to my thumbs are inconsistent. Minor things yes, but things I can't go unnoticed.

I found out after I asked, as it uses the same cable. Thanks.

I'm afraid it might permanently brick my Wii, that's the problem, plus I never really needed to do it before. Also, will my Wii become region-free in terms of Wii and GC games?

 

Yes, you need to have a GC memory card to save GC games on the Wii.

The d-pad does kind of suck, but not many games use it, and the ones that do usually use it for things like switching weapons, items, etc.

It's unlikely that it'll brick your Wii, as long as you're careful and follow the directions. It is possible, though. Yes, softmodded Wiis (Wii?) can play Wii and GC games from any region, as well as backups - and as of very recently, they can also play Triforce games.

 

Good thanks, because I effectively won't need my cube anymore if I do this.

Another thing, must I use a GC controller to play GC games on my Wii?

Sometimes I feel the D-Pad is more convenient, like when the game tells you to some button prompts on the screen and such.

Which guide would you recommend?

 

You must use a GC controller. Unfortunately Wii Remote is required to boot as well, the Wii menu has no GC controller support.

 

Which is really dumb.

I JUST WANT TO PLAY BRAWL, MUST YOU MAKE ME USE YOUR STUPID WAVEY THINGY?

Sorry... also can't you save GC games on the Wii's internal storage? I haven't done it, but it shows up in the data management.

 

Not with official tools. GC saves can't be backed up to Wii memory or SD cards.

 

Source? Haven't heard of that before.

 

Afaik it was because Crediar made it happen:
http://gbatemp.net/threads/quadforce-a-guide-to-playing-triforce-arcade-games-on-a-wii.347411/

 

You don't have to use a Gamecube controller to play Brawl; you can also use a Wii remote with a nunchuck attached, or a Classic controller. A Gamecube controller is probably the best option, though.

Another thing: on a softmodded Wii with BootMii installed, it's possible to boot into the Homebrew Channel and load software using only the Gamecube controller; no Wii Remote necessary. This is handy if, like me, you mainly use your Wii for GC games. You can boot into the Homebrew channel, select a game loader like Swiss, and then load the game - all using only the GC controller.

The one thing that really bothers me about softmodded Wiis and which I still haven't found a solution to, is that the power button doesn't turn the system off or even put it in standby mode. It simply restarts the system and brings up the BootMii menu. So if you want to actually turn the system off, the only way is to go to the BootMii menu, select the Wii system menu, and then press the power button. I don't know why they thought this would be a good idea. I've looked all over for a solution, but so far I haven't found anything. It's only a minor inconvenience, though.