Official Nintendo white controller for GameCube and Wii

Kai Beginner Joined: 22 Nov 2004 Posts: 12

As a special gift to all those who want the beautiful white GameCube/Wii controller my friends at Japan Video Games have sweetened the deal on their already exceptional price. As some of you are probably aware JVG generally sells the controller about five dollars cheaper than most other importers but now when you use the coupon code: grizz when ordering on-line you’ll save an additional dollar. I know it’s not much but in these harsh economic times every little bit helps.

I fought EXTREMELY hard in an attempt to get them to go lower but they’re already selling it at a very thin profit margin given the current exchange rate with the dollar so that’s the best I could negotiate. Regardless, the price is fantastic for a controller that will make you the envy of all your friends. Also, this controller is an absolute must for any serious fan of Mario Kart Wii and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Given the precision and craftsmanship not to mention the substantially longer cord I have no qualms recommending this quality gaming instrument. Enjoy! Very Happy

http://www.japanvideogames.com/NEW-Official-WHITE-CONTROLLER-FOR-Gamecube-GC-p/gcj-whitecon.htm

PSP Guru Joined: 07 Apr 2007 Posts: 2405

Way to advertise on the site..... /fail

Kai Beginner Joined: 22 Nov 2004 Posts: 12

Please don’t confuse my public service announcement with some vulgar advertisement. My aim is to save people who want a genuine white GameCube controller some money nothing more.

Team XLink Developer Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 2338

If i had a wii, I'd buy one of these

Kai Beginner Joined: 22 Nov 2004 Posts: 12

I believe GameStop has just dropped the price of the new platinum GameCube controllers to $19.99 but the white ones are just so cool looking and feature a 3 foot longer cord.

Nintendo Specialist Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 1889

(-TU-)CrunchBite wrote:

If i had a wii, I'd buy one of these

The white ones do look pretty sexy Very Happy

Edit: hope there not selling these pieces of junk in a photo shopped box:
http://www.amazon.com/GameCube-Controller-Compatible-Wii/dp/B000VAQPLW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1232734888&sr=8-2

Kai Beginner Joined: 22 Nov 2004 Posts: 12

No those white controllers are official Nintendo units imported from Japan. That's why they cost a little extra.

I purchased one of those "pieces of junk" in black but I knew what I was getting. Please read my review:
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As many of you who follow my writings are well aware I loathe third party controllers. In fact, I’ll often recommend used official Nintendo GameCube controllers over new third party ones. Keep that in mind while you read my review and comment on the Kuma third party GameCube controller UPC code: 8426013842017.

First off let me mention that this controller looks nearly identical to the official pad. So much so that when I first saw it at my local Play N Trade I was momentarily fooled in to believing that it was the real deal (see picture for comparison).

Also, the Kuma pad is quite reasonably priced for being such a near perfect reproduction as my local Play N Trade sells them for only ten dollars. At that price it’s substantially cheaper than the worthless third party game pad that GameStop sells.

So how well does it work when gaming? The answer is- not bad- which is a huge compliment coming from me. Yes it’s true that the grey analog stick isn’t nearly as accurate as it is on an official Nintendo controller, it’s also true that only the most obsessive players will notice. The D-pad is also slightly clumsy when compared to a “real” controller but again it’s within the limits of acceptability. One area where the knockoff Kuma controller excels is in the button department with the; A, B, X and Y all feeling nearly as responsive as on a Nintendo unit. I also like the texture of the Kuma because it feels less smooth thus offering better overall gripability. Another nice touch is that the Kuma uses normal Phillips heads screws to hold it together so you won’t need a tri-wing screwdriver to work on it should the need arise.

The inferior accuracy of the left grey analog stick made the Kuma a poor substitute when I tested it on F-Zero GX; on Mario Kart Wii, however, the lack of accuracy was far less evident. When I tested it on Super Smash Bros. Brawl I did notice that the inaccuracy of the analog control led to my fighter going airborne more easily but this could probably be compensated for if the Kuma is the only controller one ever uses.

All-in-all the Kuma controller is probably the only third party unit that I can somewhat recommend. Even at that I’d say that it is best as a second, third or fourth controller to allow friends to borrow when they come over to play Mario Kart or Smash. Brothers as you wouldn’t want them to break or ruin a $25 official game pad. Little issues keep it from getting my full seal of approval. For example, the rubber on the grey analog stick is certain to wear out quickly which to my mind would never allow me to use this controller as my primary one. So here’s the final rundown:

Pros:
*Looks like a “real” controller
*Buttons on the face closely mimic those of a Nintendo GameCube controller
*Price won’t make you think twice about allowing others to use it
*Phillips head screws for easy repair or possible cannibalization to use on an official controller.
*Texture is a little rougher than factory pad for better grip
*Available in white but does not have the longer cord of the new official units.

Cons:
*Left grey analog stick isn’t as accurate as a Nintendo controller
*Rubber on the tip of the grey analog stick looks and feels slightly worn even when the unit is first removed from the package.
*D-pad response is questionable.
*Can’t be used as a primary controller for serious GameCube aficionados.

Verdict: About equal to a used official GameCube controller. Let price be your guide.