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Nintendo Wavebird
Get the details on Nintendo's wireless Gamecube controller.
September 7, 2000
Nintendo not only unveiled the Gamecube console and its standard controller at Spaceworld 2000, it also gave audiences a glimpse at a wireless RF controller called the Wavebird. In case you're wondering, the Wavebird name goes back to Gamecube's codename: Dolphin. Unlike the regular Gamecube control pad, the Wavebird controller will (at least initially) only be available separately -- and operates without the need of a cable.
For the whole thing to work, players plug an RF receiver into one of the four controller ports and set the controller to one of four channels. You can now operate your Gamecube from as far as 34 feet (10 meters) away. Sounds fishy, doesn't it? Well, we've tested our fair share of wireless game controllers and all of them were unreliable and badly made. But this is Nintendo we're talking about -- and the Wavebird demonstration at Spaceworld was certainly convincing. A Nintendo representative controlled Mario on screen without even pointing the Wavebird at the Gamecube.
Like with the standard controller, the controls are set up in what Nintendo calls "systems." On the left you have the movement control with the D-pad and analog stick, and on the right you have the A-centric button group. In essence, the button layout is almost like a D-pad in its current formation. You have the center, left, up, and right buttons with the center "A" button acting as your home base. The control system is actually very intuitive, as after you get a feel for the main buttons, the shoulder buttons (L and R) are right at your fingertips. Although earlier controller designs lacked a Z-Trigger, Nintendo added in a digital Z button on the top right side of the controller above the R button after several developers requested it. This is obviously there to allow the "Z-lock" camera mode for instance while continuing to support both an R and L shoulder buttons. This leaves the "C" camera stick for a variety of things. It may be possible to use the Z-trigger to lock the camera on your enemy upon where you may be able to freely swing the camera centered on your enemy.
Nintendo has only unveiled a Wavebird prototype so far, so the ugly plastic color and oversized receiver are not indicative of the final look. As a matter of fact, Nintendo hasn't unveiled many of the specifics as of yet. Apart from price, it remains to be seen how much heavier the Wavebird will be since it will most definitely need batteries to operate the built-in Rumble functionality.
We will return with more specific data on the Wavebird as soon as we hear something new.
More pictures of the Wavebird:
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