Wii need a classic NES controller

Matt Lincoln Russell (Lincoln)

May 31, 2009 6:35 PM ET in News, , ,

fail

fail

I still love my original Nintendo. I have about a dozen classics (Mario 1-3, Mega Man 1-3, TMNT, Metroid, and Excitebike to name a few) and still enjoy getting them out periodically. An evening powering through Super Mario Bros. 3 is a great success.

The Wii arcade is an experience I can get behind. No need to blow on the cartridges, toggle the spring loader, or fiddle with the channel switch. Just download the classic you want to play and go. It’s exciting and convenient. We’ve dropped quite a bit of coin on classics here at Icrontic HQ.

There is one terrible fidelity problem though: the Wiimote.

OK sure, it simulates a classic controller if you turn it sideways. But that’s like saying a Penny-farthing simulates a bicycle. The proportions are such that you can get around fine, but it’s just damned awkward. And it’s two-decades-of-experience awkward. There’s this tiny bit of lag from the wireless that creates a little “give” in your timing and it doesn’t feel right.

It’s one thing for SMB3 to feel a little off, but it’s just unacceptable in a calculated digital ballet like Mega Man 2. Do you switch the dancer’s shoes the night of the big show? No, the shoe must fit comfortably or everything falls apart. So it is with the controller. I won’t touch Mega Man on the Wii arcade. To Hell with that.

Surely there must be a way to connect an NES controller to the Wii. You can, of course, get that SNES look-alike controller easily right from Nintendo. NES controllers with USB connectors are all over the place. So why not NES to Wii?

After hours of searching, I was crestfallen. I had my credit card out and was ready to buy, but no one had one for sale. Not a single  enterprising individual.  It’s days like this that my faith in my fellow geek is shaken to its very core.

Are you out there, hardcore NES geek with electronics experience and a soldering iron? I would throw 20s at you like a stripper.

11 Comments

  1. kryyst

    I've honestly never noticed the problem you speak of.

  2. Colgere

    As one who loves old school gaming, I completely agree with this. I too am surprised no one has yet created this controller.

  3. Thrax

    The few times I have played MM9 or somesuch on the Wiitroller has left me with no quibbles. I don't mind the controller at all, and I still play real NES to this day.

  4. MiracleManS

    There are some old school games that just aren't served well by the classic controller or the Wiimote. I for one miss the N64 controller for Star Fox 64...

  5. kryyst

    To further what I said. While I have no problem with the Wii controller used in classic mode. I did purchase and mutch prefer the dual analong controller plugin when I need to play classic games.

  6. dannyjay01

    What about using your old controllers for the Wii Virtual Console?

    http://wii.ign.com/articles/983/983231p1.html

  7. BobbyDigi
    What about using your old controllers for the Wii Virtual Console?

    http://wii.ign.com/articles/983/983231p1.html

    1. Welcome to Icrontic!

    2. Great Find!

    3. That is all

    -Bobby

  8. dannyjay01
    1. Welcome to Icrontic!

    2. Great Find!

    3. That is all

    -Bobby

    1. Glad to be here!

    2. It was on display at E3 and I had to bring it up.

    3. These default avatars remind me of MGS4 for some reason.

  9. Aaron

    Totally agree, just switched off Mega Man 2 in frustration cuz of the same problem.

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