Customer Reviews

Controller- Spice

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Friends rejoice, the controller Nintendo designed for its newest console, the Gamecube, is by far the greatest controller ever conceived. No controller, not Sega's not Sony's nor Microsoft's, can match this baby once you grasp in your hand. I'm not saying the Gamecube controller is flawless, no such thing exists, but this (thing) is so darn close to being perfection that you will forget all about its minuscule flaws. The Gamecube controller features an incredibly unique design and intuitive control that only the geniuses at Nintendo could think up.

First and foremost is the controller's downright bizarre looking design. Mini D-pad, yellow C-stick, giant A-button, and kidney shaped X and Y-buttons may throw both you pro and amateur gamers off at first glance, but don't let this controller's intimidating looks deceive you. The Gamecube controller was, from the feel of it, designed to make the gamer forget he or she had such a device in their hands. The side handles are contoured to a person's hand, the L and R-buttons are grooved for your index fingers, and the green A-button is the largest of the four main buttons so you never lose the primary action button.

As I said, the A-button is the largest of the four main buttons because it is intended to be you primary action button. With this design, you'll never mistake another button for the A-button. Whether you're jumping from platform to platform of blasting away enemy fighters with lazer canons, the A-button's large size will always keep you from losing a game because you pressed the wrong button.

The X and Y-buttons are uniquely designed in the odd shape of kidneys for a reason. If you place your thumb over the A-button, you will see that this strange set-up is there so your thumb can easily navigate from button to button when you need to most without accidentally tapping the wrong one. Don't believe me, try playing "Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3" on both Gamecube and Playstation. You'll soon discover as I did that it is much easier to master the skater game with the Gamecube controller than it is with the Playstation controller.

The last of the main buttons, the red B-button, is of the normal size and shape buttons have been on Nintendo controllers for years, but was set slightly apart, in size and shape, from the A X and Y-buttons because it acts as a secondary action button. Play "Star Wars: Rogue Leader - Rogue Squadron II" and find out what I talking about. In "Rogue Leader" the A-button fires your main weapon, lazer canons, while the B-button fires your secondary weapons, proton bombs or ion canons depending on the ship your using, weapons which are usually limited in supply. With the B-Button being smaller than the A-button, you won't mistake it for your main action button and go firing those all important proton bombs before you need them.

The L and R-button are the secondary buttons and are grooved for perfect comfort as your index fingers rest atop them. In "Star Wars: Rogue Leader - Rogue Squadron II", the L and R-buttons are used as "gas pedals." The L-buttons slows your ship down while the R-button speeds it up, and the harder you press the button, the slower or faster your ship will move.

Next up are the two analog sticks. The larger gray analog stick is the main control which will guide ships and characters through their quests. The control stick is larger, of much better quality, and easier to use than Nintendo's N64 version. The second and smaller yellow analog stick is the C-stick used for camera control, but will no doubt be used for secondary control on later games. The C-stick replaces the awkward C-buttons of the N64 which were both small and uncomfortable to use.

Another great feature is the built in "rumble pack." For those of you who had N64s, you may remember having to purchase the rumble pack separately from your controller and having to replace those pesky batteries. No more my friends. Apparently Nintendo heard the cries of its consumers and rabid fans and decided it best not to charge gamers for features companies like Sony already have built into there controllers. Smart thinkin' there Big N.

Lastly come the flaws and surprisingly enough, given the Gamecube controller's somewhat strange design, there are only two and you may never have to deal with them. Design flaw number one is the purple Z-button, which is located directly above the R-button. Although Nintendo states the Z-button will act as an emergency button, I fear some companies shall use this in a capacity where you will constantly need to use this button. I fear this because the Z-button, though it is directly above the R-button, is in an awkward location and testing the overall feel of the controller, I found it hurt my index finger slightly trying to press it. Design flaw number two is the directional D-pad, which in previous controllers from Nintendo was designed to be your primary means of controlling character movements. Not so with the Gamecube controller. In an attempt to wean their gamers from using the D-pad and relying more heavily on the analog control stick, Nintendo has shrunk the size of the D-pad making it hard to use, although it is within comfortable reach of one's thumb.

The verdict: the Gamecube controller is, in every sense of the word, a work of art. Nothing past or present, in the opinion of this veteran gamer, can match its ability to immerse someone into the game which they are playing, even with its minute flaws. And even if you find those flaws to be a bother, there are already third party alternatives that address the problems and unfortunately create some of there own. Nintendo revived video gaming in America, rescued it from certain death, and the Gamecube controller is still proof positive that Nintendo is here to stay.

There has been much trash talk about Nintendo's Gamecube controller. The Spice controller is very cool looking, and goes well with your Indigo and Jet Black Cubes as well as the future Spice Cube. I as many others prefer it's egronomically friendly shape and controller buttons over PS2's and Xbox's generic design and comfort. Nintendo's goal was to make the controller so that you don't even recgonize that you are using it. They got it right. The oversized A button is perfectly placed, as is the X, Y, L, R, and Start/Pause buttons. The C stick and Digital control pad are placed well for small as well as larger hands, but it still could be a little bigger for the largest of hands. The analog pad is taken off the GBA (Game Boy Advance) which is too small to begin with. But they packed alot into this controller with the built in vibrator and all, not to mention Nintendo Quality. Overall, the best controller out there that you can buy!

The GameCube controller. This controller is one of the best ever made. No doubt about it. Nintendo's previous controller, from the Nintendo 64, was good, but not great. It was a very different type of design. The GameCube controller is a million times better than that controller. It's really hard to believe. The very first time I held this controller in my hands, I knew it was a winner.

Many people say this controller was made for people with small hands. I disagree with that. I have small hands myself, but I have a few friends who have huge hands, and they have no problems with it. The left and right triggers are in the perfect position for both of your index fingers. All the buttons on the right side of the controller are easily accessible with your right thumb. They button layout is nearly perfect; with an enlarged "A" button for games with repetitive pressing of a single button. The analog stick can be easily accessed with your left thumb, and it rotates smoothly every time. The C-stick has replaced the C buttons from the previous N64 controller, and it allows for much more precise control.

The only problems I could possibly think of with this controller are that the control pad is a bit small, but it is very rarely used, so that really isn't too big of a problem and the second thing I could think of was that the length of the controller cable is a bit short, but that can be easily fixed with extension cables. And now that the WaveBird is out, you can enjoy the wonderful GameCube controller without all the trouble of cables!

I've had this controller for nearly eight months now, and it is still extremely dependable. All the buttons are still firm, and the control stick is still nice and tight. Nintendo hardly needs to issue any kind of a warrantee with this controller; there is hardly any chance of anything bad happening to it. You would have to drop something heavy on it, or pour something on it. I've dropped my controller numerous times, and nothing has happened to it yet. It is still in nearly brand new factory specifications. I am truly amazed.

Overall, this controller is better than any of its counterparts. It deserves the "best controller" award in my book. Nintendo has come up with another masterpiece, and it looks even cooler in the Orange Spice color!

Mark Williams

Let me start of by saying that this controller color really isn't spice; its more like pumpkin. It looks great and best of all it fits your hands perfectly.

The control stick is sensitive enough for those ever important moments where you need to tip-toe past the bad guys. The big green button is the "A" button which is your primary firing button for those shooter games like Rogue Leader. The "C" stick or the yellow joystick is used to navigate your Flashlight in Luigi's Mansion, which is really cool. Finally the "R" and "L" buttons are used in games like Wave Race: Blue Storm for Sharp turns, and the harder you press the "R" and "L" button the harder the turn you make.

ive played tony hawk three for HOURS straight on my friends brand new cube, and the controller was made for that game. you got your big ollie button right in the middle and then smaller secondary buttons for grinds, grabs and flips. and the joystick works brilliantly. really, the only problems are the small d-pad and shallow z-button, but regardless, this is the best controller ever besides the virtual boy one, but then again no one remembers virtual boy. oh yeah, spice is a cool color, i saw one at circuit city and it looks very nice.

Here are the main reasons why this controller is better than any other:
1. The ergonomic design feels perfect in almost any pair of hands. This is most comfortable controller by far.
2. The larger A button makes sense since most games have one main button.
3. The B, X, Y buttons are layed out around the A button to provide quick and easily distinguishable access. Because they have different shapes you can tell them apart without having to look down at the controller.
4. The L and R trigger buttons are analog which react to how hard you press, if you press them all the way down a secondary button is clicked.
5. The new analog joystick is much stronger and more precise than the previous one on N64. It also has a rubber top to provide excellent grip.
6. The yellow c-stick will be used mostly for camera angles, but will also provide a secondary analog joystick whenever necessary.
7. The built-in-rumble feature makes the controller jump to life while you play (Nintendo invented this aspect with the first rumble-packs for N64).

If you have played games on all the systems and tried out all the controllers (like i have), then you will agree that this is the best controller by far. Not only does it melt in your hands (sometimes you will literally forget it is there), but it also features a new intuitive button layout which makes controlling games much easier. The PS2 and Xbox controllers are more confusing with buttons that are all exactly the same shape. Also the buttons on the Xbox controller are too close to each other, and the analog can even get in the way while playing! It seems like whoever designed the Xbox controller basically copied the Dreamcast controller but somehow made it worse (one word - pathetic). So far i haven't experienced anything bad with the GameCube controller, i don't even mind the smaller d-pad. I think i was actually pulling off moves faster in Tony Hawk 3 with the smaller d-pad!! I also find that the PS2 d-pad gives me blisters, especially with fighting games (games with alot of movement). This is because it is broken up in four and not connected (in one solid + shape). To sum it up- Nintendo obviously takes alot more care when they design a controller, and they've been doing it for longer than either Sony or Microsoft. The new GameCube controller reflects an evolution of the previous Nintendo controllers. It really seems like Nintendo tries to innovate with every new controller, and this one is the best yet. I have to say that while the other controllers may be 3/5 stars each, the GameCube controller is 5/5 no question. Nintendo sets new standards again!

this controler is cool! should i get it with my black gamecube? please vote yes or know on the online review for me if i should get the controler. luigis mansion rocks!

made for human hands, unbelievably comfortable. not like holding a big rock like the ridiculous xbox controller.

As you can see the Gamecube controller has the highest rating amongst all controllers of the Big 3 console gaming systems. Rightfully so, because I believe this controller is the best of the three. Runner-up going to playstation 2 and x box's finishing third. Although I had no trouble playing games on any system, I find Gamecubes to be the most comfortable.

The GameCube controller is, simply put, the most ergonomic, comfortable and well-designed controller available for any system. It's sturdy and so easy to use.

It's about the same size as the PlayStation 2 controller, but the handle grips are molded much better to fit your hand. The two shoulder buttons (L and R) are analog, work really well as a sort of accelerator--and if you press them all the way down, there is a "click" at the bottom that acts like a second button!

Since most games only use one main action button (except for fighting games), Nintendo made the main "A" button larger than all the rest. The other action buttons are placed around it in a sort of upside-down T formation, making it easy to tell which button you are pressing without looking down at the controller--this is essential for the gameplay experience, because how can you be fully immersed in a game if you keep having to look down to see what button you're pressing? ....

Most people complain about the small size of the D-pad (the cross-shaped one on the left) and this is indeed a problem...if you have large fingers like me, it can be hard to use. Not that many games use it extensively though, so it shouldn't be a big deal.

I like the jet black controller the best, but spice orange is a very cool color as well. It matches the orange-hued power light on top of the system. I'm pretty sure it's also the most hard to find color, so if you can get your hands on one, pick it up. The GameCube is a great system for adults and kids alike and this controller will please anybody.