SmashRadar: All four control schemes reviewed and rated

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If you take your Smash seriously, you'll need the right controller. Let us tell you which one that is.

The Gamecube Controller

The Gamecube pad still controls Smash Bros. just as God intended. They’re a combination as right and pure as Digestive biscuits and chocolate.

We’ve only found two stumbling blocks, and they’re very, very small ones. While their physicality is brilliantly designed, the sticks don’t feel quite as smooth and quick to respond as those on the Classic, although that could just be our controllers beginning to show their age. They’ve battled hard and served us well over the years, bless them. Additionally, and we’re being really nit-picky here, the GC pad is the only wired controller of the set. As such, it feels a little restrictive now that we’re used to the modern joys of wireless, but that’s probably more of a psychological thing than a real problem. After all, Melee played just fine last gen. And if you really do have a major aversion to digital umbilicals, there’s always the Wavebird.

Verdict: Old friends are still better. But only just.

David Houghton
David Houghton
Long-time GR+ writer Dave has been gaming with immense dedication ever since he failed dismally at some '80s arcade racer on a childhood day at the seaside (due to being too small to reach the controls without help). These days he's an enigmatic blend of beard-stroking narrative discussion and hard-hitting Psycho Crushers.