Product Description

The Nintendo GameCubeWaveBird Wireless Controller uses revolutionary RF technology that allows people to play Nintendo GameCube from anywhere in the room, without wires and without having to be directly in front of an infrared receiver. The WaveBird Wireless Controller replaces standard controllers. Up to four controllers can be used at one time. With the WaveBird Wireless Controller, you can play up to 100 hours on just two AA batteries.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1973 in Video Games
• Color: Platinum
• Brand: Nintendo
• Model: VANIN 045496950538
• Released on: 2003-11-01
• Platform: GameCube
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds

Features

• Control your favorite games from up to 20 feet away -- the RF transmitter send signals to a Receiver that plugs into your GameCube
• Up to 16 different channels can be set -- set up as many as four wireless controllers, for massive multiplayer action
• Works on 2 AA Batteries that provide up to 100 hours of gameplay for each controller (not included)
• Color - Platinum

From the Manufacturer
The Nintendo GameCube WaveBird Wireless Controller uses revolutionary RF technology that allows people to play Nintendo GameCube from anywhere in the room, without wires and without having to be directly in front of an infrared receiver. The WaveBird Wireless Controller replaces standard controllers. Up to four controllers can be used at one time. With the WaveBird Wireless Controller, you can play up to 100 hours on just two AA batteries.

Customer Reviews

Perfect enough
I am a long-time Playstation owner, who recently gave in and bought a GameCube system for my Pokemon-obsessed son. We decided that since the GameCube has excellent 4 player titles, we would bite the bullet and buy 4 WaveBird controllers and focus on the multiplayer titles only. This has been an excellent move. I have them setup on channels 1-6-11-16 and they all play well together. I have big hands and I like the feel of the controller and I like the heft of it. It has a definite feel of quality and I like the way the sticks and buttons are setup on the WaveBird. To address previous reviewers issues, we have 2.4 GHz phones and WiFi and have not seen any interference issues. The previous reviewer who was having issues with interference with his remote is likely the exception to the rule, since most people do not have RF remotes, but the standard infrared variety. We have been using the controllers for about 2 weeks now without a glitch and I anticipate they will stand the test of time. My biggest rave for these controllers is the ease in which they can be pulled out of the storage bin and then put back away, when we are done with them. Oh yeah, and it's nice to have my floor back (e.g. not having to worry about tripping over cables when crossing it). The reason that I called this review "perfect enough" is that the main (and really only) complaint from some reviewers is that there is no rumble feature. I say to those who want the rumble feature when playing, simply revert to your corded controller for that particular game! The system comes with one so use it! I'd rather have the extended battery life and the rumble feature in a lot of games ends up being more of an annoyance than a help.

Only Downside Is No Rumble Feature
I was having a hard time with the controller that came with my gamecube. I mean, it didn't even reach my couch! Well, I bought an extension cord which are pretty cheap online and it came in a set of 2 and the first one broke and when it was connected all of a sudden I had about 12 feet of cord and it was a mess. Anybody who owns a platinum GameCube knows that you will not find extra controllers anywhere, which pretty much forces you to buy a color that doesn't match your system or to buy a WaveBird...which I ultimatley did. It's exactly the same as the original controller, although it feels a bit lighter. The built in rumble feature has been replaced with a place for batteries, and of course there is no cord. It is a shame that the rumble feature had to be dropped, but it makes sense. It would have eaten the battery much more quickly. The controller gets plenty of battery life out of 2 AA batteries which is a major plus!

Great Controller, But Missing the Rumble Function
If you own a GameCube, I hope you enjoy the ergonomic design of the controllers as much as I do. When Nintendo announced it was releasing a first party wireless controller I was very excited. This controller doesn't disappoint, with the same button and stick layouts as the wired first-party controllers.

You choose a frequency to use (by rotating a numbered dial on both the controller and the receiver that plugs into the controller port on the Cube), which allows you to use up to 4 Wavebirds at a time (should an aggressive Super Smash Bros Melee match be in your future).

The controller also has an on/off switch, which allows you to shut it off and save extra battery life, which is a nice touch. I also appreciate the red light on the receiver, which lights up when it receives the signal from the Wavebird (making it very easy to tell if you are in range).

The only complaint that I have is one that Nintendo has addressed, namely the lack of Rumble functionality. To paraphrase Nintendo, to add the rumble feature would have greatly shortened the battery life of the controller. For many games, the lack of rumble feature isn't an issue, and the WaveBird works perfectly. For those games that rumble is a major part of, I just use an extension cable for my wired controller. ;)