Thrustmaster unveils the T-Wireless NW Wii classic controller

We're not certain how many people are clamoring for Virtual Console controller that apes the look-and-feel of the 360 controller, but Thrustmaster's got you covered with its new T-Wireless NW controller. Eschewing the need to plug into the Wiimote, the NW comes with a receiver dongle that plugs into the Wii's GameCube ports -- a design decision that doesn't seem quite right to us. On the other hand, it's just $19.99, the same price as a Classic Controller, so we'll see how gamers respond when these things ship in October.

[Via IGN]

[SteveJ @ Sep 14th 2007 7:18AM]

That is the uglies game controller I've ever seen.

[non native @ Sep 14th 2007 7:27AM]

The only other alternative to play Gamecube-Games wirelessly on the Wii are Wavebird/Madcatz and those look (and especially feel) even worse. For whatever reason, you may not use your wiimote+classic-controller to play Gamecubestuff on there.

It may look like ass, but for that price I might just get it.

[Monu @ Sep 14th 2007 7:29AM]

Ugh. I take it all back. After checking out the IGN-site, I got a glimpse at the dongle.

Not cool.

[Fatass of Kickassness @ Sep 14th 2007 7:45AM]

Since when did the Wavebird look/feel ugly?

[SteveJ @ Sep 14th 2007 8:00AM]

I guess it's YMMV, as I think the Wavebird is pretty fantastic. Great battery life, great feel, looks about as good as a game controller can look.

[4cr JaXs @ Sep 14th 2007 6:53PM]

The Wavebird is the second greatest wireless controller EVAR. PERIOD.
(360 being the first.)

[Mark S. @ Sep 14th 2007 7:32AM]

If it can play GC games (think Z button), it is cheaper than the WaveBird.

[BrotherEstapol @ Sep 14th 2007 7:40AM]

That looks nothing at all like a 360 controller...if anything it looks like a lame-arsed 3rd party PS2 controller.

[afr @ Sep 14th 2007 7:58AM]

this is obviously a PS2/3 controller rip-off, not an Xbox one

[Mike @ Sep 14th 2007 8:43AM]

How about we go with "it looks nothing like any other controller"?

Seriously though, I think that grip will help out alot when I'm goin crazy on old-skool games, and even though it's ugly, I bet it's comfortable. I'll pick one up, so hey engadget...don't forget to bump this story up when your workdays get slow in Oct.

[R @ Sep 14th 2007 9:50AM]

"Thrustmaster?" Didn't I see a VHS with that title in the "adults only" section of the video store in the 90s?

[Bobby @ Sep 14th 2007 10:09AM]

There is something that people aren't considering. There is no way in hell I would get this, even though I like it better than my wavebird and the classic controller. It requires batteries. I, like I hope most people, have a charge station. I did this so I don't have to go get more batteries when I want to play (who remembers these things)?

[strider_mt2k @ Sep 14th 2007 10:16AM]

It looks like something you'd check the PH of your pool with.

(the chemicals go in the handles)

Aside from that I'm just shaking my head sadly. :(

[i3c @ Sep 14th 2007 10:53AM]

thrustmaster -- ribbed for her pleasure.

[Ryan Smith @ Sep 14th 2007 12:04PM]

Actually this sounds great, remember Nintendo's stupid classic controller CAN'T PLAY GAMECUBE GAMES. Yes, I'm yelling that. Little did I know that, until after I bought it, even though it has all the buttons it needs they disabled it for gamecube games. Real Nintendo Wavebird controllers are very expensive, so if this is like a cheap Wavebird I'll be all over it. Unless it works like crap which is very possible.

[Brins0 @ Sep 14th 2007 1:20PM]

That may actually be the most unfathomably ugly wireless control pad i've ever seen in the whole of my gaming life. Why can't companies keep things sliik and all the same colour... The rubber grips on the side of the pad do nothing to increase the grip you have on the control pad, and usually end up making your hands feel sore after a while. I understand that companies can't make pads that look almost identicle to the real thing, because the company in question can deal the "you copied from us" speach. Still tho... urgh... take that design back to the drawing board and start over...

[Nate @ Sep 14th 2007 2:24PM]

sweet action!

[Eric @ Sep 14th 2007 5:27PM]

So... this is just a GameCube controller with a different layout for control sticks?

[db26 @ Sep 15th 2007 10:10PM]

I just wish that Nintendo would make more WaveBirds. I'd rather not pat $50 for a used one. The demand is there... why won't they meet it? SSBM breaks all my controllers...

[Josh @ Dec 7th 2007 2:53PM]

Yeah, I dunno what to think about this. I might pick one up since I don't want to pay 50-60 bucks for a used Wavebird, and I don't think id use my VC control for smash, have to see what it feels like.