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Xbox 2 - Wireless Controllers as standard
- Thread starter gollumsluvslave
- Start date
I don't care what you people say.
Pre-N64 the PlayStation didn't have analog control or force feedback. After N64 came out the PSX got new controllers. All subsequent console controllers have had analog control and force feedback.
N64 also introduced 4 controller ports. While unfortunate that Sony didn't design the PS2 with 4 ports, MS was smart enough to do so w/ Xbox.
Pre-Wavebird wireless controllers were IR novelties. Now they've gained wider acceptance and MS wants to make them standard. Coincidence? Maybe, but I don't think so.
As far as the D-pad goes, honestly, I don't know. My friends and I had Atari systems with joysticks. Then I got an NES w/ the D-pad. It was awesome. That's all I know.
Still, the point is Nintendo gets some credit in my eyes for making mainstream a LOT of the stuff we take for granted now. Do I wish they had taken this glorious history of innovation and applied it to online gaming? Of course! But I'll continue to hope Nintendo still has cool stuff up their sleeves.
Pre-N64 the PlayStation didn't have analog control or force feedback. After N64 came out the PSX got new controllers. All subsequent console controllers have had analog control and force feedback.
N64 also introduced 4 controller ports. While unfortunate that Sony didn't design the PS2 with 4 ports, MS was smart enough to do so w/ Xbox.
Pre-Wavebird wireless controllers were IR novelties. Now they've gained wider acceptance and MS wants to make them standard. Coincidence? Maybe, but I don't think so.
As far as the D-pad goes, honestly, I don't know. My friends and I had Atari systems with joysticks. Then I got an NES w/ the D-pad. It was awesome. That's all I know.
Still, the point is Nintendo gets some credit in my eyes for making mainstream a LOT of the stuff we take for granted now. Do I wish they had taken this glorious history of innovation and applied it to online gaming? Of course! But I'll continue to hope Nintendo still has cool stuff up their sleeves.
open_mouth_
insert_foot_
olimario said:
beautiful idea. The wire could also be detachable from the controller itself (and from the console) sort of like an AC adapter of sorts. Rumble would be possible because of the ease of charging and improved technology by then and I'm sure they could figure out a way to support voice chat too (connect wireless headphone directly to controller, hopefully). And the controllers won't have slots for memory cards anymore.
BuckRobotron
Member
Imagines the Rallisport Challenge series without vibration/rumble.
Hell no.
Hell no.
I disagree with you even more vehemently. My car goes flying into a wall at 300 miles an hour and explodes and I'm supposed to feel "immersion" because my hands shake a little?Sysgen said:
Fuck that, rumle sucks. Plus, it's annoying. The only thing rumble is good for is to remind me to turn vibration off.
shpankey said:
No it isn't. The handles are too short making it difficult to hold with three fingers. Some of the edges where the plastic come together are rough. The face buttons are fairly low quality. The shoulder buttons are too close together and oddly shaped. Don't get me wrong, it's a solid controller...probably the best 3rd party wireless controller ever but comparing it to the Wavebird is just foolish.
Spainkiller
the man who sold the world
I hate rumble in every game bar Rez.
shpankey
not an idiot
You have to be kidding. Considering the Wavebird is based off of the flawed GCN controller, I couldn't disagree more. The c-stick is a fucking joke. The triggers aren't far behind, especially the annoying as fuck middle click effect on them. The d-pad, well, I don't honestly have to tell anyone how fucked up that little tiny piece of shit d-pad is. :lol The left analog stick isn't a whole lot better when compared to really solid analog sticks (PS2's are ok, Xbox's are the best by far and make the GCN sticks look fucking stupid by comparison). The Z button is one of the worst designed buttons in the history of gaming. Add in no rumble and you just have to laugh aloud. I'm sorry, the Wavebird itself is not that great. The technology it used was great when it first came out, but has long since been topped by almost everyone (ie: battery life etc.)
P.S. on the conversation of rumble in racing games, I think it adds a lot. Especially when going over things like curbs, or the warning rumble strips on a track etc etc.
P.S. on the conversation of rumble in racing games, I think it adds a lot. Especially when going over things like curbs, or the warning rumble strips on a track etc etc.
shpankey said:
Your argument is purely subjective though. I'm talking about quality relative to the original, first party controller. The Wavebird is virtually indistinguishable from a standard Gamecube controller. The Logitech controller in no way compares to a standard DS2. If you like the standard GC one, you're guaranteed to like the Wavebird...well, aside from any complaints regarding the lack of rumble I guess.
Bandai released a console back over a decade ago that came with wireless controllers standard, so no, Nintendo wasn't the first.
The Wavebird has the advantage of being able to use the primary console's design, while Logitech couldn't exactly mimic Sony's controller, for copyright reasons. Despite that, I don't see your complaint with the face buttons, handles, or even the shoulder buttons for that matter. All three features are at least equal to, if not better than (in the case of the first two) Sony's first party offering. I agree, there are some rough faces and my biggest complaint is that the d-pad absolutely sucks for fighting games, but for everything else the controller is ideal, easily outclassing Nintendo's in its ability to automatically sync up without manual channel changing, has better battery life when used without vibration, and offers comprable battery life when used with vibration. In terms of wireless capability Logitech is far and away the superior product.
My major complaint, and I'm hoping it doesn't hold true with the next generation of wireless controllers, is that wireless does not offer the desired precision that I want in some games, namely fighting games. The small bit of latency is annoying when playing against people with corded, lag free controllers.
As for recharging, I personally hope that all three system manufacturers include controller ports for legacy controllers and 3rd party devices, such as arcade sticks, and have this controller port double as a recharger/corded option. Simply include a standard length cord that when plugged in disables wireless and recharges the battery while you play. When its charged just unteather your controller.
Drinky Crow
Banned
The implementation of rumble was great for Goldeneye -- I was a total hater until I felt a gun "kick" in that game. Now, I really dig it for racing games and FPS titles, although I could pretty much do without it for everything else.
And yeah, the Logitech Wireless Action Controller for the PS2 beats the Wavebird in just about every way, although the Wavebird's problems are tiedto its strict adherence to the awful default Gamecube controller design. The WAC, on the other hand, addresses a few problems with the Dual Shock (also an unpleasant controller) -- it has a better D-pad for 2D fighters and better tension on the analog sticks. (I prefer the shape, as well.) It also has the option to rumble along with a longer battery life on two AAs than the Wavebird.
And yeah, the Logitech Wireless Action Controller for the PS2 beats the Wavebird in just about every way, although the Wavebird's problems are tiedto its strict adherence to the awful default Gamecube controller design. The WAC, on the other hand, addresses a few problems with the Dual Shock (also an unpleasant controller) -- it has a better D-pad for 2D fighters and better tension on the analog sticks. (I prefer the shape, as well.) It also has the option to rumble along with a longer battery life on two AAs than the Wavebird.
I thought just the opposite myself, at least when playing Tekken. The pad on the logitech feels very unresponsive to me, somewhat proven by how drastically better I did against others when I went back to the regular DS2 over the wireless controller.
I'll have to try it out again though, with VF4, and see how it fares.
Drek said:
I guess we're just going to have to disagree on this. To me, the Logitech controller just isn't as comfortable as the DS2. My hands feel cramped and awkward when I use it. I've tried using it for extended periods of time but it just never feels as sturdy or comfortable and I always end up going back to the DS2.
Drinky Crow
Banned
I get 40-60 on Costco batteries with the Wavebird. I get 60-70 with those same batteries and on the Logitech WAC with rumble on.
That said, I think I've played my Gamecube all of 60 or so hours. One battery change.
Phantom Brave, however, required two battery changes, and I finished the game with 155+ hours on the clock.
That said, I think I've played my Gamecube all of 60 or so hours. One battery change.
Phantom Brave, however, required two battery changes, and I finished the game with 155+ hours on the clock.olimario said:
I'd have to agree with Oli to a small extent. While I like their flight sticks and racing wheels, I've never cared for their gamepads. However, I haven't tried their new offerings either, and I've heard good things.
EDIT: And as Dr. Cogent mentioned, their PC mouse line-up kicks ass.
imastalker co.
Banned
if this is true that's quite funny then. i remember how often J.Allard would laugh at the wave bird whenever he got a chance.
Inevitable. So very happy hardware is beginning to cut these damned umbilical cords. The next generation of college dormies will definately have far less 'spilled beverage' accidents than many of us did back in the Goldeneye era. Those poor dead soldiers...
So, how many N64 pads did YOU replace thanks to "sticky stick."
So, how many N64 pads did YOU replace thanks to "sticky stick."
Particle Physicist
between a quark and a baryon
shpankey said:
the d-pad is perfect if you are using them as buttons ala RL. who the hell uses the d-pad to control movement? 2d fighters?? pshaaa. they dont count.
psycho_snake
I went to WAGs boutique and all I got was a sniff
Olimario said it before I did. the best thing to have would be a cord, about the size of a contoller cord, that can be plugged into the pad and the console that will allow you to play, but at the same will recharge your batteries. The cord can be plugged out of the conbsole and the pad. I also want the battery to be built into the contoller, so something like GBA: SP. I think thats what Nintendo will do.
OG_Original Gamer
Member
Old, yesterday's news.
The Faceless Master
Member
yes, i want to have to buy batteries and/or rechargeable battery packs for no good reason other than to line microsoft's and/or duracell's pockets, i just can't wait...
Red Dolphin
Member
The button layout for the GCN is questionable (although I love it) but there is no question in my mind that it is by far the most comfortable controller I have ever held.
Red Dolphin
Member
shpankey said:
The main analogue stick on the GCN controller is 50 times better then the analogue sticks on the PS2. PS2 is the most overrated controller of all time. Shit placement of analogue sticks, D-Pad seperated into buttons, 4 shoulder buttons that feel very uncomfortable, and it's just not that comfortable to hold either. The GCN's d-pad is rarely used in most games I own so it's never bothered me. I'll give you the C-stick but I think it's fine for anything besides 1st person shooters. The Z-button is a joke? WTF are those shitty white and black buttons on the Xbox controller? The only controller I STILL have to look down to see if I'm pressing the right buttons (either black or white).
And the original Xbox controller is the one of the worst 1st party controllers ever created. I still remember Microsoft bragging about how many ppl had tested the controller before it was released and how great it was. AND TEH INNOVATIVE "BACK" BUTTON!!!
As for the main topic at hand, I hope wireless is standard in all next gen consoles with the option to plug a cord in when the batteries get low so it recharges while you play.
ProgramFighter
Member
While I may be in the minority, I personally would like to see the next Xbox use a Sega Saturn style 6 button configuration. The white and black buttons, while I'm now used to them for the most part, always seemed to be in no man's land. If the control were the exact same one as the Controller S except wireless (with the rechargable battery as some have asked for) and the 6 button config I mentioned, I'd be the happiest person in the world. I guess having triggers and shoulder buttons would work, but I just find that awkward picturing it in my head.