A Link (Cable) to the Past
For me, one of the main draws of the Wii was the Virtual Console. Not only does it make playing old games more convenient by letting me play them all from one system, but it also gives me the opportunity to pay again for things I already own.
My favorite system of all time is the Nintendo 64. My two favorite games ever are Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, plus the system plays host to a ton of other games I love, like Mario Kart 64, Pokémon Puzzle League, and more I could list that you would get bored reading very quickly.
The biggest hurdle when it comes to enjoying Nintendo 64 games on my Wii is the controls. Playing Super Mario 64 with the Classic Controller or GameCube controller just doesn’t feel right. Sin & Punishment is nearly impossible to play on either, since it was one of the few games to use the “left” orientation on the Nintendo 64 controller, using the d-pad and control stick simultaneously. For the other consoles represented on the Virtual Console, there are great controller substitutes. We have the Wii Remote which is a great substitute for the NES controller when you turn it sideways, and the Classic Controller feels just like a SNES controller with a couple analog sticks thrown in for good measure. Nintendo 64 games, though, really don’t work.
I got one of the best gifts ever this past Christmas, though, when Christina gave me a cable that plugs into the Wii’s GameCube controller port and allows use of the Nintendo 64 controller for Virtual Console games. It’s not made by Nintendo, but rather a very handy fan who took matters into his own hands. He’s like a vigilante fighting against injustice, but only when it comes to video game controllers. Honestly though, that’s a very underrepresented specialization.
He splices a GameCube controller cable with a Nintendo 64 controller extension cable by using a printed circuit board. I customized an arcade stick for my Xbox 360 a while back (which I’m sure I’ll write about at some point) so I’m pretty sure I know how he did it, and there’s no risk it’s going to damage your system.
I’ve used it quite extensively since Christmas, and it works like a dream. It’s so much more enjoyable playing the games I love with the controller that was built for them. Plus I was able to actually beat Sin & Punishment (I couldn’t get past the first level using the Classic Controller) and I’m pretty stoked about the second one coming this year. My next task is to see if I can get it to work with Super Smash Bros Brawl. How awesome would that be?
Nintendo’s really missing out on a fortune here, because I know tons of people would buy something like this. In the meantime, though, here is a link to raphnet, where my cable was purchased. It’s only like $20 or so. I have no connection with the guy, but his product is solid and I think it’s something people will really enjoy.
(Push Z or R twice!)