Game Cube, worth buying?

[btp2k2]

You mean R1 (which stands for Right 1), R2 (Right 2), L1 (Left 1), L2 (Left 2) is confusing? They are named for their location for heavens sake.
The gamecube buttons are absolutely NOT in a diamond shape. If you think they are, then you clearly failed in geometry.

B, A, Y, X, L, R & Z, with an analog stick labeled C?
Gimmie a break. You can not complain about the names of buttons of other controllers, and then claim that gamecube's made more sense.

You are comparing apples and oranges. If you want to make a photographic comparison between the Xbox and gamecube controllers, at least use the actual Gamecube controller and not the optional, POS Wavebird.

I do not have an Xbox in my house......and for a reason. I have spent many a weekend afternoon play testing for Microsoft, using their XBox controller....and I can safely say it is without a doubt, the XBox controller just does not stack up. It is too big and clumsy, uncomfortable

[versapak]

You are comparing apples and oranges. If you want to make a photographic comparison between the Xbox and gamecube controllers, at least use the actual Gamecube controller and not the optional, POS Wavebird.

I do not have an Xbox in my house......and for a reason. I have spent many a weekend afternoon play testing for Microsoft, using their XBox controller....and I can safely say it is without a doubt, the XBox controller just does not stack up. It is too big and clumsy, uncomfortable

Huh?  The layout of the wavebird and the regular GC controller is exactly the same. The wavebird has some extra heft to it and some added bulk to the center, but it doesn't change the layout of controls at all.


I dunno if you are talking about the Xbox controller or the Xbox 360 controller, but if you are talking about the 360 controller not stacking up, then you have got to be smoking a little crack.

The original fatty controller for Xbox was indeed not up to par for most gamers. MS changed to the S, and that controller was pretty darn good. It did suffer from some pretty bad button placement for the start, back, black & white buttons, but the shape and layout of the rest was great.

The 360 controller completely fixed the layout problems of the original Xbox controller, and it refined the shape to be even better. There has never been a better gamepad than that of the 360. Yes, that is opinion, but since it is mine, it is clearly the right opinion.

[Malenko]

So if one has one of the earlier models with digital out is it easy to make it to component??    This would be nice, except for one thing.   It still needs to be upscanned to progressive!   A complete headache currently for my PS2 to my monitor.    I should have found a LCD monitor that took component. 

Upscanners are damn expensive.

upscanning... isnt that incorrect to the authenticity of the original hardware that was used?

[shmokes]

You mean R1 (which stands for Right 1), R2 (Right 2), L1 (Left 1), L2 (Left 2) is confusing? They are named for their location for heavens sake.


The gamecube buttons are absolutely NOT in a diamond shape. If you think they are, then you clearly failed in geometry.

B, A, Y, X, L, R & Z, with an analog stick labeled C?

Gimmie a break. You can not complain about the names of buttons of other controllers, and then claim that gamecube's made more sense.

I get a kick out of how passionately you're arguing your point.  You're so intent on my being wrong that you can't see the forest for the trees.  Take a little look-see at the button-naming scheme that your beloved Xbox 360 controller uses.  Is there anything familiar about that? 

Have you ever noticed that things like codes or combos are a ---smurfing--- mouthful with Sony's controllers.  Take a six button combo, X, L1, Triangle, R, Circle, Triangle, Square.  Say that out loud.  It's ---smurfing--- hilariously stupid.  Why?  For that matter, why didn't they just have A1, A2, B1, and B2 on the face?  If the shoulder button naming scheme makes sense, why not use it on the face of the gamepad as well.  Dumb.  It's confusing.  It only serves to artificially steepen learning curves, without bringing anything to the table in return.

I'll grant that the GC buttons are not in a diamond pattern, but for all intents and purposes they are (which is why they are in my head).  It works out the same in terms of having to move your thumb to get to any given button, but gives you a more intuitive and comfortable home position.  In fact, if you are someone who uses the tip of your thumb exclusively, rather than pressing one button with the tip and another with the underside of the knuckle, the Gamecube's is a far superior design in terms in terms of efficiency of access to all the buttons.  And, of course, the different shapes give far better tactile feedback of where you are on the controller (like the nubs on the F, J and 5 keys on your keyboard, or different shaped keys on your TV remote making it easier to use in the dark).

[gavkiwi]

um, I bought my GC in sept 2003, I bought Rogue Squadron (since Im a SW fan), was a great game. Eventually ended up with 20-30 gc games, mostly thanks to Blockbusters ex rental cheapies. Got some good buys, mostly under $10, viewtiful joe was a memorable mention (good buy), as well as the Zelda windwaker game. We still have it, eventually when I get a cab it will join the dreamcast in the cab aswell.

Personally, having owned a ps one, GC,  xbox, xbox 360 and PS3. The 360 is by far the most comfortable controller Ive used, after less than an hour playing some ps3 games, my hand cramps up. Never have an issue with the 360 controller. I always felt like the GC controller to me just felt clunky, esp the yellow stick and 'diamond' buttons 

[versapak]

I get a kick out of how passionately you're arguing your point.  You're so intent on my being wrong that you can't see the forest for the trees.  Take a little look-see at the button-naming scheme that your beloved Xbox 360 controller uses.  Is there anything familiar about that? 

Have you ever noticed that things like codes or combos are a ---smurfing--- mouthful with Sony's controllers.  Take a six button combo, X, L1, Triangle, R, Circle, Triangle, Square.  Say that out loud.  It's ---smurfing--- hilariously stupid.  Why?  For that matter, why didn't they just have A1, A2, B1, and B2 on the face?  If the shoulder button naming scheme makes sense, why not use it on the face of the gamepad as well.  Dumb.  It's confusing.  It only serves to artificially steepen learning curves, without bringing anything to the table in return.

I'll grant that the GC buttons are not in a diamond pattern, but for all intents and purposes they are (which is why they are in my head).  It works out the same in terms of having to move your thumb to get to any given button, but gives you a more intuitive and comfortable home position.  In fact, if you are someone who uses the tip of your thumb exclusively, rather than pressing one button with the tip and another with the underside of the knuckle, the Gamecube's is a far superior design in terms in terms of efficiency of access to all the buttons.  And, of course, the different shapes give far better tactile feedback of where you are on the controller (like the nubs on the F, J and 5 keys on your keyboard, or different shaped keys on your TV remote making it easier to use in the dark).

I am a stay at home dad. It isn't really passion. There are just times I get bored.


For the record... I have not once ever in my life, on this board, any other board, or in the good ol real world made any sort of claim that the playstation controller was the greatest.


I simply stated that getting confused by L1, L2, R1 & R2 is pretty darn interesting, given that they are named after their location.

If you are someone that gets confused by any modern controller, then gaming has just clearly passed you by. It doesn't matter the controller, whether it be dual shock, 360, gamecube, etc... It isn't really that hard to adapt to it.

You play games using it, and you will adapt.


No matter what, with face buttons, you are going to have to learn what each one is, whether it is a triangle or an A.


Seriously...

What the heck difference does it make how a combo or code sounds out loud?

How often does that ever come up that it could possibly be an issue?


You are definitely reaching with that one.

To explain to someone, where to find the left bumper, left trigger, right bumper, or right trigger (yeah, on the 360 controller, the one that I actually did claim is the best), is far easier than explaining the Z button or C UP, C DOWN, C Left, C RIGHT on a gamecube controller.


I think we just have a bunch of people around here that are just plain and simple die hard Nintendo fans. I know there is little love by many around you old fogies for anything not old, and that Nintendo resembles the memory of a good wholesome childhood of gaming, but dang...

I just do not get the arguments being put forth for that gamepads superiority.


Comfortable as heck? Fine.

Confusing? What controller isn't, if you don't spend the time to learn it?





Also...

I am not a tip of the finger tapper, so the rolling ability offered by the standard diamond layout is FAR superior for my play style. The gamecube controller was completely anti that, so it was definitely a factor in my opinion of it overall.

That being said, a tapper shouldn't really have a problem with either layout. I can't imagine that the up, down, left, right  layout of the standard diamond is really that hard, and that the gamecube layout really improves over it enough to really matter, but I will conceded at least a little there.




[EDIT]

Dang, that was a lot longer than I thought. I must just have a very passionate boredom.

[shmokes]

Heh . . . I'm only 29.  Surely I'm not an old fogy just yet . . .    Also, I do consider myself a Nintendo fanboy, of sorts, just cos I love the company for making such great stuff.  But I'm pretty realistic about them, too.  Xbox was my favorite system of the last bunch, and this time around, while Wii is all I have so far, I think that it has hardware flaws and deficiencies so severe that it cannot compete in the long run.  It might get 2nd place only because Sony is making so many missteps of its own, but I even think there's a pretty good chance PS3 will eventually catch up and overtake the Wii.

I think that the 360 controller is really good, but I don't love it like I love the Gamecube one.  It's probably worth noting that I have little girl hands.  Probably my second-favorite gamepad of all time is the wireless microcon for the original Xbox.  So, clearly, I like smaller controllers. 

As for the button schemes, Sony's doesn't just make it more cumbersome when you're trying to explain to people what to do, but it makes it harder to memorize.  It's harder to memorize: triangle, square, X, R2, Circle, R1, Triangle, then R, X, A, L, A, B, R.  You see that.  And, as Chad pointed out, it's still tough to keep things straight.  I've played hundreds, probably thousands of hours of Playstation, and I can't tell you off the top of my head which button is which on the Playstation gamepad.  Granted, I haven't played a Playstation in at least half a year, but I can tell you which is which on a Nintendo, Genesis, Super Nintendo, N64, Dreamcast, Xbox, Gamecube and Xbox 360. 

Also, Gamecube works great for thumb rollers too.  Go pick up a controller and see where your thumb naturally lies.  Your knuckle will naturally rest on top of the big A button, and the tip of you thumb will be resting on the Y button.  A comfortable roll to the left gives you B and a roll to the right gives you X. 

Anyway, there's NO WAY that I can convince anyone who's played a significant amount of both systems that he's wrong about which controller he likes more.  I know that, of course.  But you are, most definitely, wrong 

[tommy]

I've used the PS2 controller a lot and it's not bad. I've also used the XBOX360 controller for PC games and i think it's better than the PS2 controller. But as I've said the GC controller is just more comfortable out of the whole lot. The buttons and sicks are just placed so well that it can't be beat.

[versapak]

I was holding the wavebird right before I posted my comment on rolling.

X & Y are pretty easy to roll to, but B... Not so much. It is just a little out of comfortable.


- The analog sticks have corners, which I find to be very annoying.

- The d-pad is small to the point of all out ridiculousness.

- The Z button swings in, instead of pressing, which makes it a pain to hit from the far side (the pivot point), where my finger actually naturally presses.


Those are the main problems that keep me from really enjoying the gamecube controllers.

Layout, is annoying, but as I have already said, something that one eventually learns to utilize just fine.



On the positive side...

I actually do like the triggers that lead to an additional button press (Though not as much as swinging triggers, so maybe as a bumper replacement?).

[shmokes]

The Z button is definitely uncomfortable to press.  Its history explains it somewhat.  The Z button was not planned for the controller and was added as an afterthought shortly before release to appease complaints from third parties that the controller didn't have enough buttons.  That's my only complaint with the controller.  If the D-pad were used in games more extensively I might be concerned about the size of it, too, but I've never felt like it wasn't serving its purposes adequately.  This might also have to do with having small, nimble fingers.

I have actually always loved the corners on the analog sticks.  Developers (especially Nintendo) synchronize the camera with those angles allowing you to do things like run full-speed across a narrow plank because you can just jam the stick into a corner and you know that you have the direction exactly right.  I think that the corners on the analog sticks are a huge but not immediately obvious reason that N64 and Gamecube did platformers so well.  The corners, IMO, give you all the benefits of analog, but still approximate the precision of the digital controller.

[DaveMMR]

Thank God I'm not the only person who, after over a decade, still can't remember the precise location of Playstation controller buttons.  First off, yeah L1, L2, R1 and R2: Are they numbering them from the top down or bottom up?  And it's not like I can see them easily by looking down.  Okay, that's nitpicking (what else are they going to name them), but there's no excuse for the "symbols" on the controller.  I have to recite some stupid mnemonic in my head to remember their locations (the triangle looks like an arrow pointing up -top-, I remember a store named Square Circle Records -left and right-, and... uhhh... X is on the bottom). 

But the GC controller isn't the best either, sorry.  Sure, their tactile due to their varying shapes, but it seems less like a game controller and more like some cheap, hip remote control. 

What is the best then?  Well the X-Box contollers (both the S-version of the original and the 360) seem to do the best job, but they lost points for their hideously oversized original attempt.  And the PS controller would be one of the best, if it weren't for their above-mentioned naming-scheme problems.

[versapak]

What is the best then?  Well the X-Box contollers (both the S-version of the original and the 360) seem to do the best job, but they lost points for their hideously oversized original attempt.  And the PS controller would be one of the best, if it weren't for their above-mentioned naming-scheme problems.

That is just silly. They should gain points for actually changing their controller, when so many complained about it. Original Xbox aside though... They definitely nailed some quality control with the 360 design. Literally the only thing I would change is that darn d-pad. I am not sure why it is so hard for these guys to design a quality d-pad. It isn't like there is much to the darn things.


Now...

If you can't remember which is L1 and L2, then it is just because you haven't played with it much.

I mean... Come on now...

To admit to anyone that such a thing confuses is definitely on par with thinking tuna is really chicken of the sea.

I can admit that labeling them triangle, X, square and O is just plain stupid (since they are not the standard and don't make any logical sense), but L1 and L2 actually makes sense, and any time actually using the thing will have you plenty familiar with them.

[tommy]

They finally got a Gamecube emulator working at decent speeds, if you search for the emulator dolphin and download the dual core 64 bit OS version you can test a few games. and many are fast enough to play. You do need to get a game file onto your PC in an iso or gcm form.

If you don't have a real great PC then there is no point in trying it, but if you do, you can get 30-40 fps on a few games like Zelda the WW and others.

[tommy]

I paid $5 NIB for Zelda Windwaker and felt ripped off. 

Pass on that emulator, kthx. 

The Wii modchips have made Gamecube basically worthless, FWIW.

 

Zelda the WW was great. You must not know a good game when you see one and all of your posts from here on out about games and your opinions are now worthless, if they weren't already. 

There are many other games that work as well. Zelda TP, SSBM and more.

[versapak]

I paid $5 NIB for Zelda Windwaker and felt ripped off. 

Pass on that emulator, kthx. 

The Wii modchips have made Gamecube basically worthless, FWIW.

 

Zelda the WW was great. You must not know a good game when you see one and all of your posts from here on out about games and your opinions are now worthless, if they weren't already. 

There are many other games that work as well. Zelda TP, SSBM and more.

I hate to agree with pinballjim, but I have to agree with the not worth $5 thing.


The whole first half of Zelda:WW was fine, but once it was about going back and forth and back and forth and back and forth on the freakin water...

No thank you. It sucked every bit of fun out of the game for me.

I wasn't a fan of the visuals either, but that can easily be overlooked if you are immersed into the experience otherwise.

For example, I am really loving Phantom hourglass on the DS.

[tommy]

If you got far enough into the game you were able to warp around the ocean and not have to actually drive the boat around so much, but i thought floating around the ocean and finding treasures and who knows what else that might come by was also good.. As for the cell shading i think it looked great, it gave smoke and other graphics a great different look that was enjoyable that you just can't find anywhere else.

[tommy]

If you don't like that sort of adventure then you should not have bought an adventure game. That's what it's all about.

Next time grab something with a little more action in it, but the fact that it was an adventure game and happens to be too slow for you is what it was made for, it does not mean it was a bad game.

[versapak]

If you don't like that sort of adventure then you should not have bought an adventure game. That's what it's all about.

Next time grab something with a little more action in it, but the fact that it was an adventure game and happens to be too slow for you is what it was made for, it does not mean it was a bad game.

That is silly.


I love adventure games, and have loved playing a lot of Zeldas over the years.

Wind Waker's second half killed the game for me. It was literally NOT fun, and it is not representative of the series as whole.

I don't play games to not have fun.

[tommy]

WW got better or about the same reviews as TP. 

http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/adventure/legendofzeldathewindwaker/review.html

http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/thelegendofzelda/index.html

[versapak]

WW got better or about the same reviews as TP. 

http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/adventure/legendofzeldathewindwaker/review.html

http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/thelegendofzelda/index.html

So?

Every game on this list got scored that high:

http://www.gamespot.com/games.html?type=top_rated&platform=11&sort=score&page_type=games&dlx_type=all&date_filter=all&sortdir=asc


That doesn't mean a darn thing. Even the review you link to mentions "some may be a little put off by the late-game item fetching".

It killed the game for me. If if it didn't for you, then that is great. You must just have a higher tolerance for boredom in your games.

[DaveMMR]

What is the best then?  Well the X-Box contollers (both the S-version of the original and the 360) seem to do the best job, but they lost points for their hideously oversized original attempt.  And the PS controller would be one of the best, if it weren't for their above-mentioned naming-scheme problems.

Now...

If you can't remember which is L1 and L2, then it is just because you haven't played with it much.

Well I guess I must either be stupid or I don't play it as much as everyone else but I do have to stop and think when I have to press the shoulder buttons.   It's not like I think hard, but it's not as intuitive for me as I'd like.  Give me a break, every system that's had shoulder buttons since the SNES only had one set (Z button on N64, GC excluded).  Since I'm an equal opportunity console player, the PS controller shoulder buttons do trip me up a little.

But I agree with you on Wind Waker - it's still a great game but the whole sailing thing killed it a bit for me.  I found myself losing the motivation to explore because of the constant sailing and the fact that I had to [a] Keep readjusting the wind to change directions and always change my items to the sailing essentials - baton and sail -, which took up two spots and left one spot for either a boomerang or bombs, which I never knew when I would need. 

[versapak]

Well I guess I must either be stupid or I don't play it as much as everyone else but I do have to stop and think when I have to press the shoulder buttons.   It's not like I think hard, but it's not as intuitive for me as I'd like.  Give me a break, every system that's had shoulder buttons since the SNES only had one set (Z button on N64, GC excluded).  Since I'm an equal opportunity console player, the PS controller shoulder buttons do trip me up a little.

But I agree with you on Wind Waker - it's still a great game but the whole sailing thing killed it a bit for me.  I found myself losing the motivation to explore because of the constant sailing and the fact that I had to [a] Keep readjusting the wind to change directions and always change my items to the sailing essentials - baton and sail -, which took up two spots and left one spot for either a boomerang or bombs, which I never knew when I would need. 

Well, I wouldn't say stupid. Just a little flighty.


I can see confusion coming from playstation labeling, as it is non-standard, and it could just be that I naturally think: 1 on top, 2 on bottom, so it was never an issue there.

That being said...

You would never actually find me debating in favor of the playstation controllers greatness.

I have always actually found them to be very uncomfortable (after the analog sticks were added anyway).


The 360 controller on the other hand, is by far the best laid out and labeled controller yet made.
It is pretty easy to tell between left bumper and left trigger, and the rest is the standard A,B,X,Y.

[Franco]

You know sometimes you wish you hadn't started a thread? 

Anywho's I picked a mint platinum GC of ebay. Im just waiting to get some games now 

[DaveMMR]

1 on top, 2 on bottom, so it was never an issue there.

Ahh you see -- I was seriously typing before with the belief that L &R 1 was on the bottom.  But I also read books and magazines backwards and maybe I should stay away from a PS controller until I can get my lysdexia sorted out.     

[SavannahLion]

Anywho's I picked a mint platinum GC of ebay. Im just waiting to get some games now 

I have a plat' and I love it. Originally, I had black, but it was stolen, so it was replaced with a plat'. The only peeve I have about it is that the color isn't through and through like the purple and blacks. So the platinum coloring tends to wear off with use. My GCN is doing OK, but the controller is definitely showing spots of light gray.

[pmc]

Anywho's I picked a mint platinum GC of ebay. Im just waiting to get some games now 

How much did you pay? I was thinking Wii for while until I realized I don't want to spend. I figure the GCs will be all over Craigslist after xmas. Cheapie me.

-pmc

[gonzo90017]

For what it's worth, you can get a modchip and a new case that lets you use full size DVDs for ~$20.  Besides the 'obvious' purposes, there's a ton of homebrew and emulators out there.

Hey pinballjim. Any links?

[ChadTower]

The combination of which costs a good amount more than $20.

[Franco]

Thanks for the link/info pinballjim.

I got the maxdrive memory card loader but I havent had a chance to check if it works yet. I suspect I may have problems with US game images and the memory card working on a PAL GC.

If that doesnt work that modchip should work nicely.

[SavannahLion]

The combination of which costs a good amount more than $20.

I couldn't find the Hushtrap case in stock anywhere.

I found a seller somewhere in Europe by Googling images. Seems they're out of stock on half the colors (including Platinum).

[Franco]

Ive bought a load of Mini-DVDs, ill be able to use those wont it?

[ChadTower]

Yep, personally I think the minidvds are better anyway.  Now that they are commonly used in digital cameras and such there isn't the huge cost difference.

[ChadTower]

Odd.  I've never encountered that problem.

[tommy]

Ive bought a load of Mini-DVDs, ill be able to use those wont it?

Yeah, but the GameCube is very finicky about which mini-DVDs it will work with.  I threw $40 at that problem until I gave up and bought the full-size-disc-case.

Odd.  I've never encountered that problem.

I think he's talking about some small DVD's won't work with burned games. Real Nintendo games always work.

[versapak]

Ive bought a load of Mini-DVDs, ill be able to use those wont it?

Yeah, but the GameCube is very finicky about which mini-DVDs it will work with.  I threw $40 at that problem until I gave up and bought the full-size-disc-case.

Odd.  I've never encountered that problem.

I think he's talking about some small DVD's won't work with burned games. Real Nintendo games always work.

I don't gather that he was confused on that issue at all.   

[ChadTower]

I don't gather that he was confused on that issue at all.   

I wasn't.  I wonder if maybe jim's Gamecube laser is a bit off.

[shmokes]

I finally finished Twilight Princess a couple weeks ago.  I thought Wind Waker was far superior.  But I loved the sailing aspect, and I thought the art direction was some of the most brilliant ever seen in a videogame.  Obviously there are differences of opinion there.  However, the high reviews are notable.  The majority of critics consider the game a masterpiece.  Those who don't like it make up a very small minority of gamers.  I'd encourage gamers to consider this when faced with a negative review.  The statistical chances that a person will like Wind Waker are much higher than that they won't.

BTW, don't get me wrong.  I liked Twilight Princess a lot, and LOVED the dual hookshot.  But I just found it more derivative and sometimes boring.  Don't ask me why I wasn't bored by the sailing aspect of Wind Waker cos it's not something I can answer.  I just enjoyed it.

[zelony]

I just picked up a "Reconditioned" Gamecube, 2 Nintendo Brand Wireless Controllers (Wavebird I think) and a copy of Over the Hedge for $52 total.  I bought it so my daughter could play Mario DDR. 

I haven't played it yet, since I decied to make it a christmas present.

[ChadTower]

That's a damn good value.