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Third-party GameCube adapter fills gap left by Nintendo
Nintendo's GameCube controller adapter for Wii U hasn't been discontinued, but it sure has been hard to find in available stock. Thankfully, where there is demand, there's a company willing to create a near-identical product to sell via their own channels. Typically these knock-offs might be considered of inferior quality (looking at you, bootleg DVDs and Twist & Shout cookies) but you could still give Mayflash's own version of the GameCube controller adapter a shot. Selling for $19.99 via import site Play-Asia, the Mayflash GameCube controller adapter looks pretty darn similar to the official Nintendo brand one, albeit with some sharper edges around the base. There's also a switch on the side to allow swapping between Wii U and PC modes, in case you'd like to have the power of a modern PC but the feel in your hands of a GameCube. Of course, there's always the chance the adapter won't work as advertised, so exercise caution. On the other hand, if it works great, enjoy beating the tar out of your friends in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. For the more cautious-minded hoping for an official adapter, Nintendo's online store suggests you "check back again soon." [Image: Mayflash]
Nintendo: We'll 'likely' phase out some Amiibo after first run
Nintendo of America confirmed this week some Amiibo toys "likely will not return to market," following a retailer's claim that the publisher had officially discontinued the Marth, Wii Fit Trainer and Villager figures. In a statement provided to several sites including Wired, Kotaku and Destructoid, Nintendo said it'll aim to keep the "most popular" figures available, but that there's only so much shelf space to go around. "We will aim for certain Amiibo to always be available," reads the statement. "These will be for our most popular characters like Mario and Link. Due to shelf space constraints, other figures likely will not return to the market once they have sold through their initial shipment."
PSA: Wii U GameCube adapter only compatible with Super Smash Bros.
Following up on an erroneous product listing, Nintendo has confirmed that its GameCube controller adapter for the Wii U is only compatible with Super Smash Bros, and does not function with existing Wii and Virtual Console games. Reports issued yesterday indicated that the adapter would be compatible with a broad selection of Wii and Wii U games, allowing players to use GameCube controllers in titles featuring Classic Controller support. Nintendo disclosed its mistake in a statement to Eurogamer earlier today, emphasizing that the peripheral is exclusively designed for the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. "The GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U is compatible with Wii U and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U specifically - it is not compatible with any other Wii U software," a Nintendo UK spokesperson told Eurogamer. "The adapter is also not compatible with Wii and we apologise for any confusion." [Image: Nintendo]
3DS mod adds smashing GameCube controller support
With the launch of the exceptional Super Smash Bros. for 3DS looming, some might still be miffed that the game won't support the Circle Pad Pro add-on. Though the game will make use of the new 3DS and 3DS XL's C-stick, some may want a separate controller entirely for optimized Smash Bros. usage. A new 3DS mod introduced late last week does just that, giving players the ability to play any 3DS game with a GameCube controller. The hardware hack is courtesy of dekuNukem, the same modder that delivered an automatic shiny Pokemon finder mod last year. According to the demonstration video seen after the break, those looking to dust off their GameCube controllers for the mod will spend roughly $12 for the parts needed, which include a handful of resistors, a circuit board and an LCD screen from a Nokia phone. The screen offers a visual aid so players can change button configurations from the controller itself. DekuNukem doesn't have a full detailed list of instructions for the mod yet, which results in an empty circuit board on the bottom side of your still-functional 3DS, but they are accepting a few send-in modification requests. [Image: dekuNukem, YouTube]
Nintendo wins appeal in Anascape suit
There's a reasonable chance that you don't remember Anascape. Perhaps you remember the company that took Microsoft and Nintendo to court over its video game controller patents a few years back -- ring a bell? Specifically, in 2008, Nintendo was ordered to pay Anascape $21 million and faced the possibility of WaveBird, GameCube and Wii Classic Controllers being banned from sale. At the time, the fine and possible retail bans were put on hold while Nintendo appealed the case to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Now, nearly two years later, the court has officially overturned the original verdict, nullifying the fine and potential bans. In a brief statement, Nintendo of America general council Rick Flamm said, "Today the Federal Circuit's ruling confirmed that none of Nintendo's controllers infringe. We appreciate that our position has been vindicated." For the record, this isn't Nintendo's first patent infringement lawsuit and, given the history of such cases in the game industry, we doubt it will be its last.
Bit players hit it big in Castlevania Judgment
Camilla seems like a minor character in the Castlevania storyline, one of the "other" vampires who appeared as a boss in a few games. She's typically portrayed as a nude, winged woman atop a giant skull. And Golem makes Camilla seem vital -- Golem is nothing more than a vaguely memorable normal enemy! You know, the big guy from Aria of Sorrow who looks like he's made out of logs.Well, they've both been honored with places in the Castlevania Judgment roster. Camilla's been redesigned so that she's in some clothes, though barely, and Golem is a giant, grotesque science experiment with ampoules sticking out of his back. We have screens of both in action in our gallery.We haven't seen the latest issue of Nintendo Power, but according to NeoGAF, the remaining Castlevania III characters (Trevor Belmont, Sypha Belnades, and Grant DaNasty), as well as Cornell the werewolf from Legacy of Darkness, will also be playable.That transcript also notes that the GameCube controller and Classic Controller will both be supported by Judgment. Considering how much it relies on motion controls, using one of those should basically turn it into a different game.%Gallery-27187%
Mega Man 9 doesn't support GameCube controllers after all
You may know this from reading the operations guide or from trying it, but in case you don't, Mega Man 9 does not recognize GameCube controllers -- despite previous information leading us to believe that it would. We had yet to try it, satisfied with the Wiimote and the Classic, until alerted by tipster "fatcatfan." We switched on the Wavebird, kept close by due to frequent Chibi-Robo, and ... didn't play Mega Man 9. Confirmed.This is especially bad news for people who ordered RetroPorts specifically for Mega Man, or who expected to use the Hori GameCube pad. Please don't let it stop you from buying Mega Man 9.%Gallery-30253%
Court denies Nintendo's appeal in patent infringement lawsuit
Nintendo is officially down $21 million. After a recent court ruling that declared Nintendo the loser in a patent infringement case, Nintendo appealed the $21 million penalty sum, hoping to have the charge reduced. Anascape Ltd. was the plaintiff in the case (and potential receiver of large amounts of cash), claiming that Nintendo violated their patents when making the GameCube, Classic, Wavebird, and Wiimote controllers.A judge denied Nintendo's appeal, finding that the sum was fair based on the evidence. Anascape, obviously, was happy about the outcome, with the lead council saying, "We appreciate the Court's thoughtful consideration in upholding the jury's decision. Although not a giant corporation like Nintendo, Anascape has every right to protect its technology." Since the patent affects all of Nintendo's most recent controllers, we wonder if this will have any impact on Nintendo's future designs or technologies.
The Mario Kart Wii controller showdown
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/The_definitive_Mario_Kart_Wii_controller_showdown'; There are five ways to handle your racer in Mario Kart Wii: Wii Remote solo, Wii Remote embedded in Wii Wheel, Wii Remote with Nunchuk, Classic Controller, and GameCube controller. But, removing all other variables, which control method is the best? Are there really limitations to not using the Wii Wheel? We decided to pull out the ever-trusty "scientific method" and determine, once and for all, the best kart controller.
