Wii joystick for arcade snobs now on eBay

In what already has the makings of a per-console must, an arcade-style joystick has been built for the Wii, and has quickly made its way onto those mean eBay streets. While it lacks that certain nostalgia of its Xbox 360 Street Fighter-based counterpart, the Wii joystick prototype does manage to look quite a bit less ghetto -- matching the Wii pretty well for looks, though it dwarfs the console in size. The custom controller plugs in via a GameCube plug, so it's backward compatible with GameCube games while you wait around for the Wii lineup to fill in. Of course, the joystick is a natural fit for Virtual Console titles, and while at 10 pounds it might not quite pull off that minimalism of the Wii Classic Controller, the legit arcade components worked into this thing should be welcomed by purists. Unfortunately, there's only one of these floating around so far, so unless you can wait for these kids to build more of 'em, you had better start freeing up a bit of PayPal cash for an eminent eBay purchase. Peep a video of the joystick in action after the break.

[B @ Dec 11th 2006 11:56AM]

This is kinda useless as the has convertors for NES and SNES controllers floating around adn the SNES had a controller called the "Super Advantage" or something like that; it looked almost identical to this but was much smaller (and weighed less).

[Jim @ Dec 11th 2006 12:05PM]

Ben Heck, you're up. Break this cracker off a little sumthin'-sumthin' and build one that's wireless and 1/4 the weight. 1, 2, 3, go!

[TexRob @ Dec 11th 2006 12:16PM]

Jim, I believe you can't use gamecube comaptible controllers through wireless, only through wired ports. Also, I personally would want this to be as heavy as possible so it doesn't slide around. If you're playing with this on anything other than your coffee table, "you're doing it wrong".

Comparing the NES advantage or SNES Advantage to arcade cabinet quality sticks and buttons is just wrong, and I'm not even an arcade purist (everybody knows arcade equipment is leaps and bounds better though).

[mitch @ Dec 11th 2006 8:43PM]

No, I'm pretty sure it would be possible to do wireless, look at the wireless wavebird controllers. If you can built a wireless gamecube controller, it should be possible, not like I'm an expert.

[Zach Gulley @ Dec 11th 2006 12:21PM]

On the subject of Nintendo modifications, here is my own version of a remote controlled Nintendo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66652920@N00/sets/72157594397639279/
Let me know what you think.
Oh yeah, full video is here:
http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=-2644968889169102652&sourceid=zeitgeist
Later

[Tuig @ Dec 11th 2006 12:25PM]

....so I can also just use my Hori Soul Calibur II arcade sticks I got for the Gamecube back in the days from JPN games...

[Ben Heckendorn Actual @ Dec 11th 2006 12:36PM]

Looks like this goes into the Gamecube controller port. What they probably did was put an old Gamecube controller PCB in the box and solder wires between the contacts on its PCB to the arcade controls, very similar to how I build my single-handed Xbox 360 controller. At least that'd be the easiest way. You can convert an analog stick (such as that on a Gamecube) to digital by adding a few resistors to set the threshold.

Where's the coin slot? ;)

[wickedmic2000 @ Dec 11th 2006 12:45PM]

I have one of those gamecube joystick things, but its in black and i got it from the �1 shop

[Dave @ Dec 11th 2006 1:40PM]

Why couldn't they build this so you just slide the WiiMote in and make it wireless? Maybe have the wire as an option.

I think it is fugly

[gfar @ Dec 11th 2006 1:53PM]

That girl in the video sure is happy to show off her giant box. Possibly the worst controller I've seen in my life.

[Julian Emmett Turner @ Dec 11th 2006 3:22PM]

So, anyone could simply scratch off or paint over the lettering on their old custom Gamecube arcade controls (LOADS of people make them) and by doing so make the front page of Engadget with free misleading auction promotion? The blogger seems aware that this is just a GC controller, so why is the blogger not aware that this isn't "news?"

[Near @ Dec 11th 2006 6:13PM]

Perfect for Street Fighter II!

[resource @ Dec 11th 2006 8:27PM]

That's exactly what I thought.
Street Fighter 2.

Sho ryu ken!

[Peter Lu @ Dec 11th 2006 8:59PM]

Hi, I'm the creator of the joystick on ebay. First, thanks endgadget (there is a shout for you guys on the auction) for posting this. Second, for all of you complaining, read the addendum on the auction if you will. It explains the reason for it's size and all, and I should say it's a good reason. Also, this joystick is completely handmade. I've invested a LOT of time and money into this joystick so please don't compare it to a bargain bin joystick that uses crappy low quality parts that hardly emulate the arcade experience let alone any gaming experience. In perspective, those parts in there alone cost me 40 dollars, and they had to be imported from Japan.

[Jeremy @ Dec 11th 2006 10:00PM]

The X-Arcade works with the Wii using the GameCube adapter.
http://www.xgaming.com/solo.shtml

[doctorsound @ Dec 13th 2006 7:26AM]

Well, look on the bright side, it'll be a lot harder to throw that through your tv!

[Norm @ Dec 18th 2006 1:36PM]

Yeah, too bad the X-arcade is laggy and uses substandard, non-arcade quality parts. This thing is all sanwa, the real deal.

[crux @ Apr 18th 2007 1:48PM]

It seems that not many people that posted above have any knowledge about arcade sticks. Sanwa parts cannot be compared to substandard sticks and control pads, including the overpriced, overrated garbage produced by X-Arcade. For tight control, particularly with 2D fighters, nothing performs as well as Sanwa parts. Is it worthy to be called "news?" Maybe not. It's a high quality stick and looks great next to the Wii itself, but even high quality arcade sticks are becoming a common commodity these days. Nonetheless, it's a job well done.