The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Consoles => Topic started by: Franco on November 11, 2007, 10:06:22 am

Title: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: Franco on November 11, 2007, 10:06:22 am
Im thinking about getting a game cube as they seem very cheap now. I have never played on one though, would it be worth buying one? Are there any games I should look out for?
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: SNAAKE on November 11, 2007, 12:30:54 pm
just get a wii. plays wii AND gamecube games. gamecube itself is pretty good too..it has some good/exclusive games.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: somunny on November 11, 2007, 12:37:10 pm
just get a wii. plays wii AND gamecube games. gamecube itself is pretty good too..it has some good/exclusive games.

Very true.  I'd get rid of my GC if I didn't love the GBA Player so much.  :)
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: Akuma on November 11, 2007, 07:17:26 pm
Even though I got a Wii, I got myself one of those pearl white special edition cubes lately. Why? Because of the Gameboy Player. As I prefer 2D over 3D, playing the GBA titles on the TV has much flair of this good old 16-Bit era. Sadly new GBA titles seem to get sold out now, but there are still some to get. My latest addition was Metroid Zero Mission (because of the Mother Brain project by Soda Popinski) and it rocks!

When looking at original Gamecube games the most prominent ones are Resident Evil (the remake) and Zero. Both are cube exclusive and even though they are some years old, the graphics are just awsome. Especially the remake of RE1. I play those on the cube and not on the Wii. Why? Because I am a bloody cheap action replay using cheater. Nintendo seems to have disabled the possibility to use the Gamecube AR on the Wii after the last firmware update - therefore I have to use the gamecube. : )
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: shmokes on November 11, 2007, 09:51:52 pm
If a Wii is possible, well, of course get the Wii.  And if you get a Wii, of course do not get a Gamecube.  But if you're looking at it only because it's so cheap, absolutely pick up a Gamecube.  Great system.  It's got the best gamepad ever made and some REALLY fantastic exclusive content (95% of which was published, and usually developed by Nintendo).  Zelda Windwaker is a work of utter brilliance (superior to the new Twilight Princess IMO).  Then there's Metroid Prime, Animal Crossing, Pikmin 1&2, Resident Evil 4, Ikaruga, the Donkey Kong bongo game, and quite a lot of others that I can't be bothered to think of right now.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: Franco on November 12, 2007, 03:13:41 am
Thanks alot for your help everyone.

Im going to go for a GC over a Wii I think, the cheapness factor is the main reason but I also forgot about the GBA player, that definitely settles it :)

I know there isant alot of GC games that can be played with arcade controls but im hopefully going to hack a GC pad to be able to play them on my cocktail once it is finished. It would also be nice to be able to play the GBA games with the arcade controls, does anyone know if is possible to hack a GBA?

EDIT: or I could just use VBA  ::) Does anyone know if it runs pretty much all of the games perfectly? If not then I will look towards hacking a GBA.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: tommy on November 12, 2007, 08:25:44 am
Even though you already made up your mind, the GC is great and well worth the money to buy it.

Check out how great the resident evil remake looks and RE0 on the Cube. Eternal Darkness was also very good along with many other games.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 12, 2007, 10:27:02 am
It's got the best gamepad ever made...


 :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:



The 360 controller definitely has that honor, aside from the crappy d-pad (GC's joke of a d-pad was even worse though).


Controller preference is obviously going to be opinion, and everyone has their own, but I personally don't rank the Gamecube controller anywhere near the top of the best controllers list.




That aside... Yeah, the GC is definitely worth owning (if the Wii is nowhere in your near future, as many others already stated).

 
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: genesim on November 13, 2007, 08:44:18 am
I am a huge Sonic fan and at least with the Gamecube you can get each and every title including all gamegear games!    The sad thing is that the system never had component cables and the S-Video isn't exactly easy or cheap to find.

Not a great system, but a whole lot better then N-64 IMHO.    Though a good Mario game never really happened.    I would hold out for the Wii.    Mario Galaxy should be real treat.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: shardian on November 13, 2007, 08:54:06 am
It's got the best gamepad ever made

Whatever you are smoking, I DON"T want any. :laugh2:
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ChadTower on November 13, 2007, 09:20:37 am

The GameCube is about $35 right now used.  You're not going to find a better value than that.  This is the golden time to snag GameCube hardware.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: JimmyU on November 13, 2007, 11:59:43 am
I am a huge Sonic fan and at least with the Gamecube you can get each and every title including all gamegear games!    The sad thing is that the system never had component cables and the S-Video isn't exactly easy or cheap to find.

That's not exactly true.  The earlier Gamecubes had componet out, but was removed later in its lifecycle for cost reasons.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ChadTower on November 13, 2007, 12:11:37 pm

The "digital out" port is what was removed - that's what was used for Component.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ahofle on November 13, 2007, 12:23:28 pm
The GameCube is about $35 right now used.  You're not going to find a better value than that.  This is the golden time to snag GameCube hardware.

I wish it was easy to find GC Wavebird controllers for cheap.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ChadTower on November 13, 2007, 12:27:10 pm

Third party used wireless controllers are getting cheap at Gamestop... not sure how good they are and YMMV as to condition. 
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: Franco on November 13, 2007, 01:00:45 pm
I am a huge Sonic fan and at least with the Gamecube you can get each and every title including all gamegear games!    The sad thing is that the system never had component cables and the S-Video isn't exactly easy or cheap to find.

That's not exactly true.  The earlier Gamecubes had componet out, but was removed later in its lifecycle for cost reasons.

The PAL GameCubes have component out which can also go into a scart adapter.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: SithMaster on November 13, 2007, 01:44:43 pm
The GameCube is about $35 right now used.  You're not going to find a better value than that.  This is the golden time to snag GameCube hardware.

I wish it was easy to find GC Wavebird controllers for cheap.

I see them for around 20 dollars but my idea of cheap might be different then yours.

And whats this i hear about hacking a gba for vba?
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ChadTower on November 13, 2007, 02:04:39 pm

You're probably never going to see a first party Wavebird a lot lower than $20, even used.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: Franco on November 13, 2007, 03:24:34 pm

And whats this i hear about hacking a gba for vba?

I was thinking about having the gamecube conencted to my cocktail im building (the GC will be on the outside of the cab but the video will be connected though a twin component video/audio in/out plate on the back of the cabinet, two control pads would also be be hacked inside the cab to the IPAC and then I would make some ports on the same audio/video I/O panel from some GC extension cables. I could then connect the GC to the cab with some hacked female>female GC extension cables. This way I would be able to play some of the GC games that dont require the analogue controls on the cabinet. The audio/video panel will also be handy as I will be able to connect my 360 to the controls (using IPAC > hacked 360 pads > female USB sockets on the I/O panel > male to male USB cable > 360)  and either view the game on the cocktail screen or on my HDTV.

I was thinking that I would have to hack a GBA to be able to play GBA games as I thought that when using the GBA add on with the GC, the GBA cart went in the GBA connected to the GC. Know I know that the GBA cart plugs into the GBA adapter on the bottom of the GC I assume that you can use the GC controllers to play the GBA games on the big screen?

If this is correct I wouldnt need to hack a GBA and just use the hacked GC controllers, once again I could display the GBA game on the cocktail screen or the main TV.

Of course I could just use a GBA emulator  ::)

The whole I/O plate thing will also allow me to display any of the mame or other emulated games on the big screen whilst using the cocktail controls.

/\ bet that lot sounds as clear as mud! It does work in my head though, honest!  :)
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: SithMaster on November 13, 2007, 03:28:40 pm
I get you.  yeah i think you could have the gba output to composite some how if you wanted to use a tv and thats what i thought you meant.

The gc uses the controllers for gba games though for the cocktail maybe just use an emu.

hell i should get a gc too.  maybe for christmas.

ps zero mission rocks.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: Franco on November 13, 2007, 03:54:02 pm
I get you.  yeah i think you could have the gba output to composite some how if you wanted to use a tv and thats what i thought you meant.

The gc uses the controllers for gba games though for the cocktail maybe just use an emu.

Yeah an emu is definitely the best bet, I was just over thinking (and complicating) things before. That way I will also be able to use the S-video out from the video card to display the GBA on the TV.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ahofle on November 13, 2007, 04:02:58 pm
I see them for around 20 dollars but my idea of cheap might be different then yours.


They were going for $70-80 new on ebay a little while back, around full retail ($40) for used.  Looks like the prices have calmed down a bit lately though.  I ended up finding the Japanese wavebirds at play-asia.com for $40.  And yes they are so much better than the 3rd party wireless controllers, I couldn't believe it.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: Franco on November 13, 2007, 06:48:40 pm
Are the Wavebirds worth getting then? Are they better than the OEM pad? There seems to be quite a few going fairly cheap on (UK) ebay.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: SithMaster on November 13, 2007, 06:56:04 pm
Only if you want to worry about batteries and have wireless controllers.  I prefer wired despite claims that the battery life is long on the wavebirds but thats just because eventually ill have to swap them out.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ahofle on November 13, 2007, 07:05:59 pm
If you don't need wireless then save your money.  I was comparing them to other wireless controllers.  I have kids constantly tripping on the cords and yanking the console out of the entertainment center (plus I like to sit on the couch without having to worry about the cord reaching) so it was well worth it for me.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: shmokes on November 13, 2007, 09:33:33 pm
It's got the best gamepad ever made

Whatever you are smoking, I DON"T want any. :laugh2:

Most comfortable gamepad ever made, and in terms of being, intuitive and capable it strikes the perfect balance.  Of course the original NES was more intuitive, but we're taking into account the actual complexity/capability of the controller.  And PS2/3's controller has more buttons, but is overly complex and the buttons have possibly the worst naming scheme in the the history of anything.  Gamecube's gamepad has never been topped. 
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ChadTower on November 13, 2007, 09:56:44 pm

I prefer the N64 controller but then again I also prefer games that don't need 650 control types in a 4" space.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: genesim on November 14, 2007, 05:35:03 am
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.  :angry: :angry:

Upscanners are damn expensive.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: shardian on November 14, 2007, 07:49:59 am
It's got the best gamepad ever made

Whatever you are smoking, I DON"T want any. :laugh2:

Most comfortable gamepad ever made, and in terms of being, intuitive and capable it strikes the perfect balance.  Of course the original NES was more intuitive, but we're taking into account the actual complexity/capability of the controller.  And PS2/3's controller has more buttons, but is overly complex and the buttons have possibly the worst naming scheme in the the history of anything.  Gamecube's gamepad has never been topped. 

There is nothing intuitive about the gamecube controller. I had to look down at the controller most of the time to even know where the buttons were. The button placement is horrible. Now the N64 controller, that one was definitely intuitive and innovative.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ahofle on November 14, 2007, 01:23:09 pm
There is nothing intuitive about the gamecube controller. I had to look down at the controller most of the time to even know where the buttons were. The button placement is horrible. Now the N64 controller, that one was definitely intuitive and innovative.

???
The buttons are just about perfect IMO.  Each one is slightly different in size/orientation, yet easily accessible with your thumb so you never need to look down.  The DPad is pretty crappy on it I will say that, but I have yet to play a game where I use it for main movement anyway.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 14, 2007, 02:00:15 pm
There is nothing intuitive about the gamecube controller. I had to look down at the controller most of the time to even know where the buttons were. The button placement is horrible. Now the N64 controller, that one was definitely intuitive and innovative.

???
The buttons are just about perfect IMO.  Each one is slightly different in size/orientation, yet easily accessible with your thumb so you never need to look down.  The DPad is pretty crappy on it I will say that, but I have yet to play a game where I use it for main movement anyway.

That oddball layout, different sized buttons and toy like feel was horrible, and a nice symmetrical diamond patter is MUCH easier to decipher without looking.

The gamecube controller took some getting used to, and once you were, there was literally NO benefit to it, unless you count horrible 3rd party support as a benefit.

Yeah, there were some games that were better made to accommodate it, but there is not a single game that the GC control scheme  actually made better.


Again... Everyone has their own opinions, but quite frankly... You guys are wrong. :P



:)

Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ChadTower on November 14, 2007, 02:11:30 pm

It made Luigi's Mansion better.  I think it integrates very well with all of the first party games.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 14, 2007, 02:19:58 pm

It made Luigi's Mansion better.  I think it integrates very well with all of the first party games.


1st party games definitely utilized it best, but I don't think at all that they worked any better than they would have with the, what is now standard, diamond layout.

When all is said and done, us gamers will pretty much adapt to any control layout if we enjoy the games we are playing with them, but when picking the best gamepad ever made...

I would think that the most basic requirement would have to be a design that works well with the majority of games, not just a select few.



Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: shmokes on November 15, 2007, 12:49:04 am
I don't get when people say that the buttons are confusing.  They are still in the diamond shape, but the main button (almost all games use one button WAY more than any of the others) sits right under the first knuckle of your thumb, with the button directly above it under the tip of your thumb.  the other two buttons are accessible with a quick trip to the left or right.  It is so easy, and you immediately know what button your thumb is on by the shape the instant you touch it. 

I really believe that controller preference is largely a matter of opinion, but confusing is about the last criticism I can imagine leveled at Gamecube's controller.  I'll give you uncomfortable, since that's purely subjective.  I'll give you poor for fighters (though I don't think this is a fair comparison cos you're talking about fighters developed for traditional controllers, but . . . ).  But you need help if you find Gamecube controllers confusing compared to others.  Can you say R1, R2, L1, L2, X, ---smurfing--- triangle, circle, square?
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: btp2k2 on November 15, 2007, 02:33:42 am
  The sad thing is that the system never had component cables

au contraire mofrair!

 My GC uses component cables. The early ones had a second port in the back for component cables, and for some reason they decided to take them off in later revisions.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: danny_galaga on November 15, 2007, 04:35:35 am

i think i saw a gamecube new for $45 at target the other week.

must...resist...buying...another...console...until ...next...year...
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: tommy on November 15, 2007, 06:04:03 am
The GC controller is the best ever.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 15, 2007, 07:53:22 am
I don't get when people say that the buttons are confusing.  They are still in the diamond shape, but the main button (almost all games use one button WAY more than any of the others) sits right under the first knuckle of your thumb, with the button directly above it under the tip of your thumb.  the other two buttons are accessible with a quick trip to the left or right.  It is so easy, and you immediately know what button your thumb is on by the shape the instant you touch it. 

I really believe that controller preference is largely a matter of opinion, but confusing is about the last criticism I can imagine leveled at Gamecube's controller.  I'll give you uncomfortable, since that's purely subjective.  I'll give you poor for fighters (though I don't think this is a fair comparison cos you're talking about fighters developed for traditional controllers, but . . . ).  But you need help if you find Gamecube controllers confusing compared to others.  Can you say R1, R2, L1, L2, X, ---smurfing--- triangle, circle, square?



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. :P

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.


(http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/01856/media/Wavebird.jpg)

(http://media.arstechnica.com/journals/apple.media/360controller.jpg)




Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ChadTower on November 15, 2007, 08:41:45 am

Somehow, having letters on them makes them far easier for me to memorize.  Even years later I still can't remember which button is the ---smurfing--- triangle.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 15, 2007, 08:51:16 am

Somehow, having letters on them makes them far easier for me to memorize.  Even years later I still can't remember which button is the ---smurfing--- triangle.



Actually...

That I can agree with. :)


Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: btp2k2 on November 15, 2007, 11:23:09 am
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. :P

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.
(http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/01856/media/Wavebird.jpg)

(http://media.arstechnica.com/journals/apple.media/360controller.jpg)

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
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 15, 2007, 11:42:39 am
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. :P

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. ;D

Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: Malenko on November 15, 2007, 12:34:05 pm
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.  :angry: :angry:

Upscanners are damn expensive.

upscanning... isnt that incorrect to the authenticity of the original hardware that was used?
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: shmokes on November 15, 2007, 04:07:39 pm

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. :P

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).
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: gavkiwi on November 15, 2007, 05:10:43 pm
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  :dizzy:
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 15, 2007, 05:15:15 pm
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. :P

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? :P





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. ;D
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: shmokes on November 15, 2007, 09:22:55 pm
Heh . . . I'm only 29.  Surely I'm not an old fogy just yet . . .  ;D  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  :P
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: tommy on November 16, 2007, 12:56:13 am
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.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 16, 2007, 03:10:06 am
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?).




Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: shmokes on November 16, 2007, 10:36:14 am
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.

Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: DaveMMR on November 25, 2007, 01:56:54 pm
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.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 25, 2007, 05:00:36 pm
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. :P

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.


Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: tommy on November 25, 2007, 07:26:30 pm
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.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: tommy on November 25, 2007, 08:06:35 pm
I paid $5 NIB for Zelda Windwaker and felt ripped off. 

Pass on that emulator, kthx.  ;D

The Wii modchips have made Gamecube basically worthless, FWIW.

 :cheers:


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.  ;D

There are many other games that work as well. Zelda TP, SSBM and more.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 25, 2007, 08:17:43 pm
I paid $5 NIB for Zelda Windwaker and felt ripped off. 

Pass on that emulator, kthx.  ;D

The Wii modchips have made Gamecube basically worthless, FWIW.

 :cheers:


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.  ;D

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.

Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: tommy on November 25, 2007, 09:35:27 pm
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.

Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: tommy on November 26, 2007, 11:43:52 am
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.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 26, 2007, 12:05:55 pm
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.





Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: tommy on November 26, 2007, 12:34:45 pm
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

Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 26, 2007, 12:58:50 pm
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. :P


Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: DaveMMR on November 26, 2007, 08:14:53 pm
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. 
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 26, 2007, 08:33:18 pm
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.

Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: Franco on November 26, 2007, 10:00:06 pm
You know sometimes you wish you hadn't started a thread?  :D

Anywho's I picked a mint platinum GC of ebay. Im just waiting to get some games now  :)
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: DaveMMR on November 26, 2007, 10:06:43 pm
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.     :cheers:
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: SavannahLion on November 26, 2007, 10:41:44 pm
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.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: pmc on November 27, 2007, 08:53:18 pm
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
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: gonzo90017 on November 27, 2007, 10:16:45 pm
Quote
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?
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ChadTower on November 28, 2007, 01:21:26 pm

The combination of which costs a good amount more than $20.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: Franco on November 28, 2007, 03:46:25 pm
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.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: SavannahLion on November 28, 2007, 05:53:43 pm
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).
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: Franco on November 28, 2007, 06:15:28 pm
Ive bought a load of Mini-DVDs, ill be able to use those wont it?
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ChadTower on November 28, 2007, 07:16:28 pm

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.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ChadTower on November 29, 2007, 09:35:24 am

Odd.  I've never encountered that problem.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: tommy on November 29, 2007, 12:17:39 pm
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.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: versapak on November 29, 2007, 12:31:46 pm
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.   ;)






Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ChadTower on November 29, 2007, 12:57:46 pm
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.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: shmokes on November 30, 2007, 05:43:21 pm
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.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: zelony on December 04, 2007, 06:08:30 pm
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.
Title: Re: Game Cube, worth buying?
Post by: ChadTower on December 04, 2007, 07:32:21 pm

That's a damn good value.