GameCube controller issues

[Deleted]

So here I am, full on into the Wii generation...and I'm suffering from problems with a past-gen controller. I'm bringing this here mostly because I'm curious if it's just me or if this applies to anyone else...but here goes.

I've realized - currently because I'm playing Pikmin - that the GCN's joystick is not very receptive in certain directions. This has been a minor issue in the past, but rarely affected my gameplaying; it's only an issue, really, for platformers or exploring games. The controller reads left and right the easiest; travelling in any game from one side to the other yields the fastest results. Meanwhile, up and down are okay but not as responsive as left and right; this is mildly bothersome because I prefer a rear-third-person perspective on pretty much everything I play.

But the real issue crops up on the diagonals; the controller has so much difficulty reading any direction that is not left, right, up or down that the character on screen moves sluggishly, if at all, creating massive problems for navigating certain terrain while handling the camera at the same time. This is especially predominant in Pikmin, I'm realizing, because the camera controls are not 100% fluid; and as it's a time-based game, the issue is further made apparent because of the minutes I lose based on my normal play style.

So, is this just me? or has anyone else noticed this issue? I don't think it's the controller, but...I mean, I could always give it a shot, but still.

[Da Robot]

No, I haven't had a problem with my (Nintendo/first party) GCN controllers.

Is your controller made by a third party? Has it had any abuse/or been dropped on the Control Stick?

Finally if you want a new controller, Nintendo is still making GCN controllers for you to buy even though the GCN is discontinued.

[nocturnal YL]

Well, it could have been your controller's optial reader has some problems. (You DO know how controllers work do you?)

You could have stored your controllers with the 3D stick tilted or something... Or, some dust could have somehow got into the controller and block the inside structture. If anything, this is NOT the same as the usual sensation problem when the game detect movements even if the 3D sticks are untouched. Which means, X+Y+START is not going to help you.

[TV Eye]

This has happened to my Wii Nuchuk. Sometimes, I press a direction, and the character doesn't move that way at all, but when I release the analog, the character moves full speed, automatically in the opposite direction. I fix this by unplugging it, and the re-plugging.

[nocturnal YL]

tveye said:

This has happened to my Wii Nuchuk. Sometimes, I press a direction, and the character doesn't move that way at all, but when I release the analog, the character moves full speed, automatically in the opposite direction. I fix this by unplugging it, and the re-plugging.

This is because when you tilt your 3D stick to, say, 100%, it is registered as neutral; and when you release it, it is supposed to move by -100% to the neutral position; but is recognised as moving from neutral to -100%; that's why you see it moving to the opposite direction.

Your problem, unlike TEi's (I think), has a similar way as the X+Y+START thing to be solved, but as a non-Wii owner I forgot what the keying (which is, instead of on the Nunchuck, pressed on the main Wii Remote) is.

[Spud]

My C sticks are all wacky too so it's not just you. This happens on all my GCN controllers. So buying a new one is the best way to deal with It I guess. Suxxors. I'd kill for a reissue of an N64 controller with a rubber stick though.

[Kohta]

I bought a 4Gamers GC pad a few years ago and it was terrible. Now the analogue is out of the socket. My nintendo GC pad on the other hand is as good as when I first opened the GC box, and will hopefully come in use on Brawl.

My nunchuk also has a few problems. Always disconnecting itself and moving randomly. I always use the old blowing method even though i know it doesnt do anything

[Da Robot]

@ Kohta. Could be the batteries, just recently I was trying to get the most out of some (so they were very, very low on power) while playing SMG I moved to the right and Mario kept going right even though the stick was netural. Put in some new batteries and no control issues in SMG since.

I'd like to note that a very low battery directional control problem like this has only SMG.

[Kohta]

darobot said:

@ Kohta. Could be the batteries, just recently I was trying to get the most out of some (so they were very, very low on power) while playing SMG I moved to the right and Mario kept going right even though the stick was netural. Put in some new batteries and no control issues in SMG since.

I'd like to note that a very low battery directional control problem like this has only SMG.

Well I did think it might be the batteries at first, but i put some brand new ones in and it still has some minor connection issues. The games are playable though and its only noticable in LoZ:TP.

Now excuse me while i sort out my computer which is currently exploding

[Deleted]

So, I tried another controller, and it turns out that it's just a unique problem to the one I'd been using in particular. My entire family has a bad case of butterfingers, so all of the controllers in the house have seen their fair share of drops and falls, thus I'm willing to bet something got knocked loose on the inside. Also, controllers aren't always left sitting upright when not in use, so damage may have occured that way, as well. Either way, it looks like I'm in dire need of a new controller, which oughtn't to be a problem.

And yeah, Da Robot, my controllers are all first party; I haven't gotten a 3rd Party controller since the N64, which was only ever handy for Mischief Makers (Turbo button + button mashing segment = win).

[Wildcat]

My C Sticks are a bit screwy on some controllers (one to the point that it's not worth using), but they've been well used...so I can't complain. My N64 controllers are also a bit loose on their analog sticks, also well used. That's just what happens.

[Fryguy64]

Some of my older controllers (N64, SNES) are getting a bit rickety, but the Gamecube ones are still going strong. They'd better... I'm using them for Brawl soon

It could just be general wear and tear. I've taken apart N64 controllers and gotten them cleaned and fixed before. Also swapped all the backs round so I have 4 dual-colour controllers ;D

[Swedol]

One of my friends 3rd party controllers controll stick sometimes gets stuck if you tilt them down

[Sqrt2]

Does anyone know if nintendo are still manufacturing GC controllers? I want to know just in case mine break, and I want to buy a replacement.

[Fryguy64]

Seeing as they are fully compatible with the Wii, you would have thought so... but I haven't seen any available in stores. I wonder if they'll bring out a new-look Wavebird, styled like the Wii, and with rumble... that'd be a good way to keep the Gamecube alive