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This isn’t the first portable GameCube mod that we’ve seen, but it might be the prettiest: a backlit LCD screen, perfectly integrated controls, fingerprint-less plastic and a design with hints of original Game Boy. There’s just one catch, though. More »
Attempting to revive GameCube games that didn’t do so well, Nintendo is bringing back a few titles—including Pikmin and Mario Power Tennis—that are better suited for the Wii with its enhanced motion controls.
Through software alone, WiiGator promises to load backups of Gamecube games on the Wii.
The Hori Classic Controller isn’t just a Wavebird knockoff for the Wii. It’s a strange amalgamation between the old and new, borrowing the iconic Wavebird formfactor while simultaneously swapping those ridiculous Wavebird controls for the more practical 4-button setup from the SNES/Classic Controller and a pair of dual analogue sticks reminiscent of the Xbox 360. In other words, it looks chunky and fantastic. The $US30 Hori Classic Controller will be available for import soon…but the baby blue finish is killing us. [Play-Asia via OhGizmo]
Internally, Nintendo uses a tool called a “Waikiki adapter” to boot Nintendo Wiis in recovery mode—bricked or not. Now one modder has apparently duplicated the device, a simple flash drive that fits in the GameCube memory port of the Wii, and set a demonstration to some righteous 80s guitar riffs. If commercialised, not only could such a device make homebrew a whole lot less risky—it could usher in a whole new era of Wii piracy as you can load any code you want from this recovery menu…which would be horrible and awful and evil, of course. [via tehskeen]
As a result of Nintendo’s loss in court to a Texas-based company called Anascape, the judge ruled that all sales of the Wii Classic Controller and the GameCube controller need to be temporarily halted until funds can be placed into an escrow account. What’s the impact on you, Joe or Dan Consumer? Starting today, July 23, all sales of those controllers AND GameCube systems will be placed on hold, meaning that you should really try and find a place to buy these accessories now if you need them soon. On the bright side, Nintendo’s Nunchuck controller isn’t affected by this ruling about analogue sticks, so you’re safe if you just want to play Wii games. [1up via Kotaku]
A federal jury has ordered Nintendo to pay Anascape US$21 million for infringing on patents, and almost ironically, all of this has nothing to do with the Wiimote. Instead, their violations were for the GameCube, WaveBird and Wii Classic controllers. The news doesn’t come as any huge surprise, as during the last generation of consoles all three of the big manufacturers found themselves in hot coffee water for various controller patent issues—Microsoft just settled with Anascape for an undisclosed amount earlier this month. Nintendo is expected to seek an appeal using the argument, “It’sa not-ta me, Mario!” [Yahoo News]
Why Nintendo’s releasing a new wired controller after they discontinued the wonderful wireless WaveBird is unknown to us, but Japan will be able to get a brand new white gamepad for about 2000 yen, or US$20 this month. Like most things Nintendo, it’ll take a few months to get to the States (if it even does). Looking at the sales numbers of Smash Bros. Brawl makes it seem likely that it will. [Nintendo via Go Nintendo via Kotaku]
