So I got my
Hori Battle Pad last night and I think it'll be my controller going forward. I just couldn't deal with analog triggers being attached to digital actions on the gamecube controller. The depth for shield activation and attempting short hops with the right trigger was a recipe for frustration. So many times I've hit the ground and gotten punished because I didn't tech - I missed the timing with the damn triggers.
My comments on playing with the battle pad:
-Almost the exact same mold as a gamecube controller. Literally the only difference is the lines that connect the top/bottom halves are slightly different, and the screw holes are in different places.
-Wired connection to wiimote, works as a classic controller. I haven't noticed any lag, honestly having digital triggers is more important than some kind of "must be wired for tournaments" mindset.
-Triggers not quite as ergonomically comfortable as the gamecube, but I've gotten used to them already.
-Sticks don't have quite as much resistance as the gamecube controller. The top of the left stick is a little more flat compared to the slightly more rounded GC controller. C-stick is pretty much exactly the same as Nintendo's.
-Face buttons are a bit stiff, takes more pressure than GC controller to depress them.
-No rumble
-Red/blue or green/blue ("Luigi" controller) colors make it look more like a toy. Even worse for the upcoming "Pikachu" version...
-4 shoulder buttons, not sure what I'll do with the top left one...
-D-pad is larger, but also a bit stiff.
-Lighter than the GC controller because it doesn't have the rumble motors' weight.
-Plastic matte looks/feels fine, but I've noticed my hands getting sweatier when holding it than the GC controller.
All in all, there are a few things that aren't as nice, mostly the face buttons being stiff and my hands getting sweaty. But the triggers are already helping me properly tech when I hit the ground and more easily short hop - it's a huge improvement in that sense. I feel a little silly now that I got the Smash edition that came with a Smash-branded GC controller (which is still unopened) and the gamecube adapter when this is the controller that works best... I suppose if I have friends over the adapter can still be useful though.