Wii classic controller hack, now with more classic

It's hard to deny the nostalgia we get from having a cord dangle off our next-gen controllers while reminiscing about our Gradius days. However, some Wii gamers are wishing Nintendo's classic controller was a bit less Dreamcast-inspired, and a bit more NES-like in terms of cord placement. Rather than just moaning about it though, the resourceful folks at NintendoGal have a simple hack involving nothing more than a dremel saw and a triwing screwdriver to make your controller more 1984. Personally, we would like to see a hack to make it wireless like its motion-sensor enabled brother, but we all know that doesn't free it from having cord issues. Take note, though: Nintendo won't be sending out any replacements if you hurt yourself with this mod.

[Joseph @ Dec 21st 2006 2:09PM]

...also
http://www.retrousb.com/wii.html

[Justin @ Dec 22nd 2006 3:07AM]

The reason the dreamcast had the cord coming out of the bottom was so there was room on the top for your vmu or memory card.

[Joseph @ Dec 21st 2006 5:05PM]

"The Wii is fully backward compatible with the Nintendo GameCube and includes four built-in GameCube controller ports and two GameCube memory card slots"

Who says you have to plug it in to a wii-mote.

However, for me, i would rather put the wii-mote in my pocket. Have the cord go straight down, instead of hack it like above. not to mention, 1 wrong tug on the controller and the wires rip out. Notice on the original mounting location the wire curved strategically around a screw post. However, on this redo, it doesnt. I would reccomend at least tying a knot in the cord before it gets yanked out. It could be yanked out as simply as wrapping the wire around the remote too tightly.

[PodMonkeys @ Dec 21st 2006 5:06PM]

How bout making the cable come out the left side near the top corner to make it Famicom retro! hmm... Maybe some red dye and gold stickers, too. :D

[boynamedsue @ Dec 21st 2006 5:07PM]

oh my god, you're right, that is totally a dreamcast controler. because its... well.. kind of the same color...and...

wait. what?

[tekdemon @ Dec 21st 2006 5:01PM]

boynamedsue, the Dreamcast reference is because the cord is coming out of the bottom side of the controller. And the only major video game console that ever had a controller with that design was the Dreamcast (and of course, Sega was flamed for this).

In reality though, the Dreamcast controller also had a cord holder area on the top of the controller, so you could easily feed the wire out through the top. So Sega really didn't deserve the stupid flaming Sony fanboys threw at the Dreamcast controller. Oh well.

Still, as you can tell, to this day it is legendary for this crazy design.

As you can tell though, Nintendo apparently decided it was a good idea, and in this case it seems like they didn't even include a cord holder up top.

[tekdemon @ Dec 21st 2006 4:17PM]

boynamedsue, the Dreamcast reference is because the cord is coming out of the bottom side of the controller. And the only major video game console that ever had a controller with that design was the Dreamcast (and of course, Sega was flamed for this).

In reality though, the Dreamcast controller also had a cord holder area on the top of the controller, so you could easily feed the wire out through the top. So Sega really didn't deserve the stupid flaming Sony fanboys threw at the Dreamcast controller. Oh well.

Still, as you can tell, to this day it is legendary for this crazy design.

As you can tell though, Nintendo apparently decided it was a good idea, and in this case it seems like they didn't even include a cord holder up top.

[Loban @ Dec 21st 2006 5:07PM]

My guess is that making them wireless would add cost. But I would be willing to pay an extra $10 just to get a wireless version. Maybe they'll release one someday.

[Ray-- @ Dec 21st 2006 5:08PM]

yeah who knows why they made this controller plug into the Wii remote instead of just making it stand alone wireless... maybe cause they can sell more Wii remotes since each of these has to have a "host"?

[Typist @ Dec 21st 2006 5:08PM]

No, its because they want you to use th ewiimote everytime you use the wii. Wven if you lay a GC game, you need to wiimot eto start it.. its ALL about the wiimote, get it?

[Will @ Dec 21st 2006 5:07PM]

If you read the interview with Iwata on Nintendo's Wii site they decided to do it this way because it makes the peripherals cheaper. Instead of a $40 remote + $40 Classic controller + $40 nun chuck. You can make all these peripherals NOT wireless for cheaper and have them just plug into the main remote to become wireless.

[Glynnjamin @ Dec 21st 2006 6:52PM]

Seems to me that this makes more sense. I don't exactly see how you are buying more wiimotes. You already have ONE that comes with it so it's not like you have to buy another one. I'm not sure if there are any >2 player VC titles so let's just assume you need to buy ONE more wiimote to fully experience the VC titles. But you were gonna buy that anyways so that you had someone to play tennis with. So after your initial $250 for the wii (that comes with a $50 wiimote)...you drop another $50 for another wiimote for some multiplayer wii action. Now it only costs you $20 to buy the classic controller. If they built the wireless module into the classic controller it would cost at least $40. So you could buy one wireless classic controller to play 20 year old games...or for the same price, buy wired 2 classic controllers that are going to plug into your wiimotes that you already have. Doesnt really sound like they are trying to sell more wiimotes. Sounds like they are trying to give people a break on the price. Besides...get a wavebird if you really want wireless for the VCs.

[Rutch @ Dec 21st 2006 5:09PM]

I guess I just thought it made sense to have the cord coming out the bottom, pointing twards the Wii Remote it's plugged into that's sitting in my lap. But hey, if you wanna hack up a perfectly good classic controller, go right ahead :^)

[jalapeno @ Dec 21st 2006 6:15PM]

This is the most ridiculously dumb hack I have ever seen!!

[mattstev @ Dec 21st 2006 6:16PM]

yeah, im all for hacks, but this is stretching it as far as 'engadget content' IMHO

[2kings @ Dec 21st 2006 7:20PM]

everyone know you should have the console behind you anyways DUH!

[joe @ Dec 28th 2008 7:04PM]

i would love to see the wii remote wireless,i also think it should be able to control wii games like madden 09