Admit it. You've got an old
GameCube from yesteryear laying around, and the slow economy (
and fear for your life) is holding you back from running to your nearest brick-and-mortar to pick up a Classic Controller for your Wii. You
know you want to play
Super Mario 64 to work off that turkey, but you can't justify laying out the cash. Fret not; YouTube user marcan42 has you covered, courtesy of a PIC18F4520 microcontroller and makeshift GameCube connector, along with a chopped off Nunchuk extension cord. Of course, you could just pick up a
different model, but that would be way too easy. We didn't say it was pretty, but if you're still intrigued, check the full vid after the break.
Update: As a bunch of commenters have pointed out, this can be done already by plugging the GameCube controller directly into the Wii. However, this mod lets you do it wirelessly -- err, if you don't count the big microcontroller and mess of wires.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
josh @ Nov 29th 2008 12:14PM
couldn't you just use the gamecube controller without this mod?
correct me if im mistaken
Andrew Borem @ Nov 29th 2008 12:15PM
Yes, you can.
Geek45 @ Nov 29th 2008 12:18PM
not with all games,
I don't think.
JSmooth @ Nov 29th 2008 12:19PM
It's called hacking, some get it. You don't.
brandon @ Nov 29th 2008 12:20PM
Classic games require the classic controller
Damn you, Nintendo!!!
EricC @ Nov 29th 2008 12:21PM
One point of note here is that he's using the GC controller to navigate the Wii Menu, which is something that can't be done with the standard GC controller ports.
Rotaryfan @ Nov 29th 2008 12:34PM
wake me when he invents the wavesixaxisbird.
1234321 @ Nov 29th 2008 2:16PM
classic games can be played on the GC controller too
dandaman @ Nov 29th 2008 2:51PM
yeah, me and my friend always use the wavebird (which, i'm sure you know, is wireless) for SSBB
iofthestorm @ Nov 29th 2008 3:23PM
You can't use Gamecube controllers for everything. Some games only support the classic controller, like Geometry Wars.
Also, "The big flashing board that you can see to the left is an FPGA used as a logic analyzer for debugging, but it has nothing to do with the actual adapter (I unplug it halfway through the video). "
So the big board isn't necessary anyway, and the white breadboard looking thing could be a lot smaller if he got the board printed. I would probably buy one if he sold them (this is Marcan of Team Twiizers, so he's trusted) because sometimes I just want to use a gamecube controller for Brawl and don't want to go find a Wiimote to select the game.
Mobius_1 @ Nov 29th 2008 6:08PM
Hmmm... I "hacked" my laptop to run Windows, should I put that on a blog and then get Engadget and become famous? XD
WedgeTalon @ Nov 30th 2008 12:32PM
That's nothing! I hacked *MY* Wii to use the new and revolutionary Wii Remote and Nunchuck!
NERV @ Nov 29th 2008 12:15PM
Wait aren't there four gamecube controller ports on top of the Wii already?
andrewsjeep @ Nov 29th 2008 12:29PM
Yes. From what I can tell he has managed to make this microcontroller an interface between the wiimote and a wired gamecube controller. So basically he can turn any wired controller into a wireless one. Doesn't look practical but it's certainly cool if the wiimote is powering everything as it appears to be.
Banzai @ Nov 29th 2008 12:17PM
Riiiiight, I'll stick to just plugging my GC controller into the ports that are already on the system.
Tim @ Nov 29th 2008 12:31PM
I don't post often, but visit everyday and this has to be hands down the stupidest, waste of time mod I have ever seen. Awesome, make a mod for a gaming console that is already available! Even in the engadget post it says, "you know you want to play Super Mario 64." News Flash!!! You can already play Super Mario 64 with a gamecube controller. Why is this even being posted?
mian @ Nov 29th 2008 1:49PM
When Monster Hunter 3 rolls around, which supports the Classic Controller (whose analog layout is full of fail), but not the Gamecube controller, this mod will be overflowing with win, albeit, in need of refinement.
JSmooth @ Nov 29th 2008 12:21PM
Someone wake me up when they figure out a way to let you use the wii remote when the wii is in Gamecube mode.
Joe Anstine @ Nov 29th 2008 12:25PM
Hmmm so I guess you can only use the gamecube controller on some games? I'm not really up on my Wii compatibility issues, mostly because my roomate owns one and not me, but this is kind of cool. But all the same, I've def used the gamecube controller to play the new super smash and the new mario kart without any hacks (i.e. using the ports on top of the gamecube). Was this hack just for the sake of doing the hack or is there something more to it that I am missing? If its not the latter, this is still kind of cool....I guess?
Sam @ Nov 29th 2008 12:28PM
"his mod lets you do it wirelessly -- err,"
You mean like my wavebird?
PinkGreen @ Nov 29th 2008 12:35PM
I found a wavebird in a pawn shop for $7 a few months ago (the battery cover was missing).
It is a dream when playing SSBB. It was the best purchase of my life. :)
Jadefalchion @ Nov 29th 2008 12:33PM
Ok so I can use a wired gamecube controller wirelessly... I think I will just stick with my wavebird(official wirless gamecube controller). It works just fine with my wii.
mian @ Nov 29th 2008 1:51PM
I have a wavebird too. Try controlling the wii menu with it like he did. Also, I suspect there will be more and more games in the future that have CC support but not Gamecube controller support (like Monster Hunter 3), as fewer and fewer of Wii purchasers are upgraders with old controllers laying about.
clay @ Nov 29th 2008 12:38PM
This wins on so many levels
Ryan @ Nov 29th 2008 12:41PM
not much real news to report on today eh, engadget?
Patriks7 @ Nov 29th 2008 12:47PM
Dude, it's a weekend.. all weekends are like this..
Chibi @ Nov 29th 2008 5:24PM
Slow news day more like it.
I guess engadget writers must have spent too much time looking for Black Friday promotions to search for decent articles...
TavisJohn @ Nov 29th 2008 12:58PM
I have a 3rd party wireless GameCube controller... That works perfectly with my Wii...
Talk about re-inventing the wheel!
Also it uses a "chopped off Nunchuk extension cord"... Doesn't a Nunchuk cost about the same as a classic controller?
So that would make this mod cost MORE than a Classic Controller...
People save money, time, and effort! Get a USED Classic Controller!
mian @ Nov 29th 2008 1:59PM
Why would I pay money to use Sony's idiotic notion of analog layout?
The cost is clearly problematic, as are the wires. But then, most prototypes cost more than their successors. If he ever comes up with a less problematics way of getting it done, I'd love to plug my wavebird's receiver into the wiimote and use it for games that won't support the GCN but will support the CC.
marcan @ Nov 29th 2008 9:48PM
You can get Nunchuk extension cords for under $6 shipped worldwide at DealExtreme. That's what I used.
TavisJohn @ Nov 29th 2008 10:04PM
OK $6.00 makes more sense.
You must be a big person to need an extension cord... ;)
murphy @ Nov 29th 2008 1:08PM
is he using a breadboard?
Jimmyy @ Nov 29th 2008 1:20PM
What is it with all these people nagging about what some guy accomplished with his engineering skills. Weather it is practical or not, he did something most of you could never do. Get over it!
Cubfan786 @ Nov 29th 2008 1:31PM
Speak for yourself, what he did is nowhere near difficult. And it can be accomplished in other easier ways.
mian @ Nov 29th 2008 2:02PM
I think he can safely speak for about 90% of the people here. They're good at being snarky, but little else.
Still, I agree, there have to be easier ways. When will you be showing off one of those easier ways?
---
WiiUnite.org --- The Clans of Wii have come together.
iofthestorm @ Nov 29th 2008 3:20PM
I agree.
@Cubfan: Really? Do you think you could do that then? I'd really like to see you do it. Go on, microcontrollers like that are basically free and you just need a $50 programmer, and assembly/low-level C skills to program them. I'm waiting on that video...
KPHITMAN13 @ Nov 29th 2008 1:49PM
HELLO, WAVEBIRD ANYBODY?
I understand that yes, impressive skills when it comes to ghetto rigging electronics, but, why? More impressive is to do something better than we already have, not make something more difficult just because you can.
coolbho3000 @ Nov 29th 2008 5:27PM
marcan is one of the people who made Wii homebrew possible in the first place. He's done a lot of stuff besides this, this is probably just a small side project.
patrickkk @ Nov 29th 2008 1:50PM
Its not like he did it thinking he was ready to market it and sell his idea lol, hes just having some fun figuring some stuff out.
Level 5 @ Nov 29th 2008 2:41PM
Nintendo has been avoiding the issue. The bottom line is this. Gamers want a Wireless Classic Controller that plays GCN titles WITHOUT use of the Wiimote, as well as a Wii colored Wavebird that doesn't need to use a GCN port on the Wii. Thats it.
Justin B @ Nov 29th 2008 2:56PM
And you are a blogger for engadget now? What have they gotten themselves into! The wavebird can be used in the Wii (they made sure the connector would fit) and you're reporting on an unnecessary hack as if it is something important, something that couldn't have been done? I noticed this is your first post, but come on - anyone who owns a Wii or knows anything about the Wii would know this
EricC @ Nov 29th 2008 3:19PM
While the necessity of this mod could be debated, this isn't the same as a WaveBird in functionality. If your observational skills were on par with your willingness to post and berate others' work, you'd be a force to be reckoned with.
thehumanyawn @ Nov 29th 2008 2:57PM
I can do it wirelessly too. It's called a Wavebird.
Justin B @ Nov 29th 2008 3:35PM
@EricC:
Sure it's not the same in functionality, it actually does less than what the wavebird can do! Aside from being able to navigate in the main system menu the wavebird can perform all the functions he showed in the video. HOWEVER, that is not what my post was about (well not my main point atleast). I was questioning the blogger, not the person who made the modification nor the mod itself. He over-emphasized the hack making it seem like it was the only way for a gamecube controller to be used with the Wii - that is where the fault lies
reluttr @ Nov 29th 2008 4:10PM
If you didnt notice, he tricked the wiimote into thinking the GC controller was a classic controller. Which is a step forward imo, because finding out how the hardware works is a big step to figuring out how to get homebrew working better :P
DIS INx @ Nov 29th 2008 5:10PM
i can see why he did it, but it just seems like a lot of work for something that should be much easier...dunno. possibly?
Rom @ Nov 29th 2008 5:30PM
Ummm maybe this man should be doing something more productive and meaningful in his life....
Gman @ Nov 29th 2008 6:19PM
I have one word for you marcan42, wavebird.
Personally, shelling out $30 for one on eBay is better than doing what would appear to have taken weeks.
marcan @ Nov 29th 2008 9:48PM
Two afternoons, plus an extra one for the encryption stuff.
This is also just a proof of concept. It's going to get NES, SNES, N64, and maybe even PSX support, Genesis, and whatnot, all with configurable button mappings. I don't think a WaveBird can do those. I bet some people will appreciate being able to play VC titles with their original controllers!
mian @ Nov 30th 2008 8:25PM
Absolutely. Keep it up.