If you've been able to pick up a GameCube Controller Adapter for your Wii U Smash enjoyment, you might just be a lucky quick adopter. The accessory is sold out in a number of places in North America, and a quick check online of stores such as Best Buy and GameStop are turning up nothing but Iinternet tumbleweeds. Amazon.com had some more available earlier today, but they went faster than a 1-stock Fox/Sonic match starting at 300% damage.
More inventory is almost assuredly on the way with this apparent sales success, but a response to a fan on EB Games Canada's Twitter feed implies that a restock may not be happening soon:
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If true, this may be a case of experimenting with a product to determine its demand and avoid overproduction, wanting enough to spread globally for nearing releases, or there could be another reason why the adapters aren't flowing. Either way, it looks like it'd be a smart business move for someone at Nintendo to be scrambling over this right now.
Did you have luck picking up a controller adapter? How's availability looking in your area? Let us know below.
[source gonintendo.com]
Comments 85
WTF
'they went faster than a 1-stock Fox/Sonic match starting at 300% damage.'
LOL...
In all seriousness, that tweet looks like an opinion..
The Power of the Preorder is a strong one, though I only hope they still making these babies later..... I'd like another for the eventual 8 player gamecube smash.
Pretty sure they might just sell them at their online store eventually
They sure as heck better make more. I'm not sure if I'll ever get the game, but if I do you bet I only would if I could nab one of these as well.
@PaperLucario @shinokami Hopefully. I didn't pre-order because I went digital. Also was pre-ordering just the adapter even an option?
It would be a dumb move if Nintendo doesn't make any more adapters soon, way too much potential sales would be gone if they don't do something soon.
Edit: I think that might actually be the case by just looking at some of these comments(talking about sales btw). I use the Classic Controller so I'm not really affected by this.
The Gamestop at the mall where I pre-ordered at got maybe 15 adapters from what I saw. I went back the next day to finish up some Christmas shopping and walked in to pick up another GC controller cause they still had like 4 left but I couldn't see any adapters.
I preordered mine but out of curiosity I checked to see if any more were available but came up empty handed....
this is total bull might aswell return the game since i hate using the wii u pro controller lol..
Not as a big a deal to me being you can only use em with Smash! Now, if they worked with even 1/2 the wii u games that's another story...
@Sir_JBizzle I believe it was, i was able to preorder 3 of the gamecube controllers, so i don't see why the adaptor couldn't have.
No store in my town has any available now. I was hoping to play some Smash Bros with friends and family this weekend since they will be over for the holiday but now it doesn't look like I will.
I think this was a dumb move on Nintendo making such a little amount knowing very well how popular this product was.
Oh well I might just see if a third party company like Madcatz or Nyko comes out with one and pick one of those up either that or I might trade in my copy of Smash Bros now and pick it up later when and if Nintendo makes more adapters.
Luckily I pre-ordered the bundle, but if you didn't do so it was hard to pre-order the adapter: amazon.ca had it for $60 for the longest time so no one was paying that, and futureshop and bestbuy.ca didn't even put it up on their web site till it was released, so Nintendo could have very easily been misled into thinking it wasn't going to be popular judging by the low number of pre-orders for it.
Wow people will return a game just due to not being able to play with one specific controller? Nintendo didn't even have to make this adapter, chill, there's what, at least half a dozen controller options?
Anyways, I guess my wallet will thank Nintendo if they're delaying making more. I have enough to throw my money at them for and I probably would've caved soon for one of these. Considering they don't support other games, maybe any urges will have passed with my initially smash obsessions.
Wasn't that interested until I heard that PC drivers were coming. Functionality wouldn't be be so limited if that happens. Now I'm hoping they make more!
Well, my decision on getting a Wii U has been made then.
@PaperLucario Just plug in 2 adapters as there are four USB ports on a Wii U.
@Tasuki Why can't you play with Pro Controllers? They're the next best thing.
@JaviPlaysGames: Its not that I can't play with Pro Controllers its that I dont have any Pro Controllers so I would have to buy some and in order to play multiplayer I would need at least 4 which at $40 bucks is alot compared to $20 for and adapter for GC controllers I already own.
Plus once I learn a particular control method its hard for me to learn another one.
@Tasuki If you're willing to go 3rd party, then get the "Gamecube" Classic Controller made by PdP. It works really well
@Guitardude7 Read the quote carefully once again. The tweet said "at the moment".
It seems like just a prediction from the way they said it.
@ShadJV theres 8 controller options in total.
@WaLzgi: Does that require plugging into the Wiimote like the Classic Controller.
@Tasuki It does, but like I said in the forums, you can get Wii remotes for cheap.
How hard would it be for somebody to make these at home? USB ports are everywhere and Gamecube ports could probably be found on extender cables (Im pretty sure I had a couple of those) or are these things actually doing something w/ some Nintendo authorized chip that serves no other purpose than being checked by the software to make sure the adapter is legit?
Oh wow! I really hope that these are not sold out for good. I missed my opportunity for a 3DS XL cradle charger and now this. I admit, I hesitated because I was confused if this would work for other games.
my guess is they're holding out until its released in eu and japan, then they will redistribute, but they wholeheartedly underestimated the # of units they should have had ready for day one
Who cares, Pro-controller is better and Nintendo should stop focusing so much on the past.
I seriously doubt they will stop making more. The demand is just too big to ignore. A likely possibility is that they seriously underestimated demand and might have decided to put distribution on hold temporarily until they can make more to satisfy the demand
I really friggen hope so. I wanted to play Smash with my family this year, but it looks like that isn't going to happen. I HATE playing these little retail games. "Is it in stock? Is it NOT in stock?" I seriously hate it. Just give me the dang product that I want. I'm willing to spend the money, Nintendo. Why did they even make the adapter in the first place? They must have known that by making it, they would appease a TON of people. SO WHY NOT SHIP SOME MORE IN? Or how about this, include the adapter with JUST a copy of smash for like 20 bucks more. And as for people saying we should use the pro controller, that's great and all. It's a great controller, and I have one myself. But I am NOT going to buy 3 more of those just to play multiplayer. And I'm also not going to use my gamepad for smash, because I'm sure that game will seriously loosen up my control sticks.
I'm going to be disapointed if they don't make anymore... (As I wanted one.) I also think they should have an update for the WiiU that allows you to sue it as a "classic controller" for other games, as I like to use it for some Virtual Console games.
If they don't make anymore with such a high demand, I'm going to disagree that this was a "smart business move." I hate it when Nintendo releases an accessory, and then apruptly cancels it regardless how well it does. (Which is something they used to do all the time in the GameCube/GBA era.)
Rofl, not a chance... Do you really think they would kill the goose that laiys the golden egg ?
Bought one, never opened it, sold it in an online auction. The Pro Controller is really nice for Smash.
Hope that's not the case as I'm hoping to get on for Christmas. I really want this for the GC Virtual Console that BETTER come by the end of next year at the very least.
I think that if this becomes true, then it pretty much confirms that will never see GameCube VC games on the eShop . We should be thankful that at least Nintendo took the time to build the actual adapter in first place. I mean, building an official adapter from a 14 year old controller for a single game is something I would never imagine Nintendo doing, but they did.
The problem is that not even Nintento thought it'll be this succesful so now they can't keep up with the demand of this product. Hope they can produce more and they realize that people REALLY likes to play with GC controllers so they can consider them for future uses with Wii U because it has a TON of potential and the GC controller is one of the best controllers ever made.
I've been playing Smash with one of my old GC pads thanks to a cheap Mayflash adapter I bought last year. Works great, it just recognizes the GC as a classic controller.
@AdanVC: How could Nintendo not know? Since they announced Smash for the Wii U people were asking for a GC controller for the Wii U. Either one that plugs into a Wiimote or through an adapter like they offer. And then when they announced that one was coming out internet forums blew up with excited people even to the fact that Nintendo had to say that the adapter wouldn't work on VC games. Nintendo knew they just didn't care that's what it seems like.
@edgedino Eight? I only count seven. GamePad, Pro Controller, GameCube Controller, Wiimote, Wimote with Nunchuck, Wiimote with Classic controller, and 3DS. Which one am I missing?
But the gamecube controller is in stock now, but not enough adapters?
@rjejr: I'm sure some person, or group has purchased, & taken apart an adapter for curiosity, or to make their own version. Assuming there is a chip inside, the removal of such could potentially make that adapter's response time slightly faster.
@Faruko: Pretty much.
For once I'm glad this isn't out here in SA.
preorders
@Samuel-Flutter hmm i kept thinking it was 8 oh well.
LOL @ some of these comments
Less than 17 hours to Smash here in the UK
@Samuel-Flutter Classic controller pro
How about just order or pre-order an adapter from Europe or Japan instead?
WO WO WO it makes absolutely no difference , there was a gamecube adapter already on the market fro the wiiu six months before nintendo launched this one and guess what..........it still is
For crying out loud, just buy one of these if you have to have your Game Cube Fix. No rare or sold out adaper needed, and you can use it in Wii-U and Wii mode. IMO it's the best controller to play N64 VC titles...
I bought the Mario one and it does not disappoint. Works great for Mario Kart 8 and 3D World too. Nice classic Game Cube feel, although the analog travel is faked (I opened it up and there is no analog mechanism connected to the triggers unlike the original CC or Game Cube, just a spring for tension and a digital button at the end of travel) so it will never work for Game Cube VC.
Same in France, sold out instantly...
I got two, but then again I don't think the UK is having issues.
If they don't plan to release anymore or just a few more, then that is the last nail in the potential GameCube VC. Oh well.
Ps, you can buy the adapter on its own on Amazon.co.uk if you Americans really want one. Works out at a min of €30 to Ireland. I've ordered the smash bundle, so grand for me, I get it next week.
@Bigtime Actually it's probably to do with the fact of outside online preorders that shipped early and the possibility of shops breaking the street date, no-one should actually have the GC adapter in the UK.
I highly doubt Nintendo isn't making more. The demand for the item is way too high for them to ignore. Also for me, I work retail selling all these fantastic Nintendo products (not at EB Games) and I've had many customers come from EB stores and ask me a question that EB had either made up or was just wrong. One of the biggest lately to give you an example is a few customers were told that Wii U isn't backwards compatible but Playstation 4 would play PS3 and PS2 games. I mean wow, how can I trust any information from a store where some of their people don't know the basics. Until I hear official word from Nintendo on this I won't believe it or any info from EB Games Canada
@Sir_JBizzle Yup it was, I can verify that because that's how I got mine
@StarDust4Ever Actually my friend bought that one and we've been having problems with it's B button sticking, its nice but it doesn't have the same quality the original GCN controllers had.
I think personally Nintendo were shocked at just how quickly they would sell and didn't envision producing any more adapters so soon. I can't see Nintendo turning down the opportunity to make money by producing more of them before Christmas arrives. They obviously sell extremely well.
@Sir_JBizzle It was at Gamestop, at least
@JAG1981 @Sir_JBizzle Can you plug 4 wavebirds into the adapter. It looks like it would fit perfectly, but the guy at Gamestop insists that only 2 can fit on one adapter at the same time. Just like this EB tweet, I just think he was trying to sway me into giving them more of my business, like buying one of their cheap GameCube knockoff controllers
@JaviPlaysGames Or, if you're like me and have an external hard drive already plugged in, purchase a USB hub. Problem solved
@YANDMAN Which GameCube adapter are you referring to?
And then, something on preorder for 28th November goes out of stock without selling. Great job, kalahari.com
They better make more, I not going to spend over $100 bucks on controllers so my friends can play the game, and I don't like the feel of the pro controllers, they feel too light and cheap.
@Xamorus The only way in which it couldn't work is if the distance between 2 ports is too small for the bulk of the wavebird adapter to fit.
EDIT: Tried it and 2 wavebird adapters fit into adjacent ports so they told lies.
Bummer. I was gonna get one for Christmas.
The third party ones are coming. I just know it.
Who cares, use the gamepad, or pro controller, or Wii remote, or the 3DS.
Great job Nintendo - you finally have a product with demand, and you're happy to sit back and let re-sellers gouge customers for $100+ for a $20 accessory.
Not to mention its holiday season, and any they produce will clearly be sold.
Were they just evaluating demand with the initial shipment? Fine. But you have your answer now, and people want it.
With the state Nintendo's in they'd be insane to sit on a hot product.
@StarDust4Ever Is this 3rd party?
They need to at least make one more round of adapters to ease up the scalping.
@PaperLucario is 8 player smash an option? if you need two USB slots for an adapter... I have a portable HDD already using 2 slots
anyone know if you can use the adaptor with just one USB??
@Tasuki Nintendo does not do manufacturing. They outsource their manufacturing process for hardware just like their competitors. Considering how powerful Foxconn is (they make most of the more popular hardware devices out there including Apple devices) they have ALOT of power as a supplier. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't feel like adjusting their processes quickly for mass production of the adapter for one company, especially one as small as Nintendo (compared to the other customers of Foxconn.
It would be idiotic bordering on absurd for Nintendo not to make more of those adapters, especially since the 8-player mode is dependent on them.
For Canadian, get it here while still in stock!
http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/nintendo-gamecube-controller-adapter-for-wii-u/6000189453487
@Ernest_The_Crab I think the fact that almost everyone here is saying something or another about Nintendo "making" products like this one shows how much we know about the manufacturing process... alphabet soup of chemicals and all.
Wha- are you effing serious? It's like they WANT to lose money.
If this is true then I sure as heck ain't getting Smash now.
@pudgyprinny if you don't mind me asking why do you hate it?
nintendo doesn't want to take people's money apparently.
@ikki5 But that past you say to forget,prints them money alot of it.
@ikki5 Nintendo has stopped focusing on the past, as evidenced by their abysmal attendence to Virtual Console.
Noooooooooo seriously i have been looking everywhere and cant find any... should i give up hope?):
@Ninteen84 Third party yes but officially licensed so you know it's good.
@64supermaio B button sticking? I don't seem to have any issues with mine.
IMO the worst parts about the PDP controller is the mushy Dpad and long travel on the "analog" triggers. Very much like the original Game Cube Controller. Other than that the Z-triggers and L+R triggers are swapped compared to a normal Game Cube. This is to match the current positioning on the Pro / CC Pro controllers, however the L and R triggers feel more comfortable to pull with my large man hands. Also the thumbstick is decent even as a Dpad substitue because the octagonal restricter allows you to hit 8-way precision with better accuracy than circular restrictor.
I would definitely recommend the PDP over the Mayflash adapter, because the PDP properly supports all buttons plus I've heard the Mayflash drains Wiimote batteries.
Still, due to a hardware limit of four controller slots not counting the game pad, at least one USB Game Cube Adapter is required to support 5-8 players in Smash, even if you use the PDP Game Cube Clones or Classic / Pro controllers for the first four players. If Nintendo refuses to make more USB GC adapters, I'm sure a third party will clone them. It's a completely digital interface for the adapter with standard controller ports on it, so it will be hard for them to screw up. Nintendo didn't supply enough Wii LAN dongles so Datel or Intec or whomever it was quick to supply 100% compatible clones.
I'm guessing it wont be long then before some third party like Datel or Codemasters starts making them. Datel have always made third party adaptors that make games consoles and computers better, surprised to notice on Wikipedia that Datel is actually still going and their websites still live.
I don't see that happening, wouldn't make any sense. Still need a second adapter.
@Capt_N - Well somebody looked into it, but it doesn't say much other than there doen't seem to be too much to it.
http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/25/7287029/super-smash-bros-gc-adapter
I thought by now somebody would have successfully built one out of spare parts
More evidence we'll never see a GCN virtual console
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