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A new batch of Nintendo Gamecube controllers have entered reproduction

Bridges

Member
The author seems to think this points towards either a Gamecube update to NSO or a new Smash Brothers game coming in the near future

Sourced from https://eventhubs.com/news/2024/oct/16/gamecube-controllers-production-telltale-smash/ but their source is the purple place so take it with a grain of salt:

Over on Resetera (via Nintendo Life), a user known as RandomlyRandom67 has apparently taken notice of a shipping manifest consisting of components for Nintendo. Of course, all the information is listed in the form of part model names.



Without getting too deep into the complexities of everything detailed in the post, we're essentially told that the HGU0480 is potentially a new GameCube controller as it utilizes the TRW1230 motor, which is what allows the rumble feature for the GameCube controller. Of course, the TRW1230 motor can also be found in the Nintendo 64 Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) controller, but this type of peripheral doesn't contain the LDOL circuit board that's also part of the shipping.
This seems to indicate that Nintendo is gearing up to upgrade the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership to enable access to a collection of GameCube games. As of right now, games from the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis eras can be accessed with the purchase of the membership.
f this does happen, the Super Smash Bros. Melee would likely be one of the games made available to the membership considering that it ended up being the highest selling game on the GameCube. Additionally, the game is even still played competitively to this day.

The GameCube controller has largely been tied to the Super Smash Bros. series throughout the years. Ever since Super Smash Bros. Melee, Nintendo has always made it a point to have their consoles support GameCube controllers for the series' longtime fans.

As such, the GameCube controller has been commonly used for Super Smash Bros. Melee on the GameCube, Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Wii, Super Smash Bros. 4 on the Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Switch. Technically, it's even possible to play on the GameCube controller for Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64 through emulation such as the aforementioned Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
Masahiro Sakurai, the series creator, announced that he has already released the final scheduled video of his YouTube channel, though there are also plans for a special finale in the future. He also recently revealed that he was still creating games for the time being, suggesting that development on the next Super Smash Bros. entry may have already begun.

This is further supported by the job posting for Bandai Namco's Studio 2 & Studio S. Needless to say, Bandai Namco was looking for designers experienced with action games played from a "side-view."
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was also recently updated to version 13.0.3. While this doesn't seem like that big of a deal on the surface, it does carry huge implications for the future of the series as it means that someone from Nintendo and Bandai Namco had to sit down to actually apply this update.

We all know that the Switch 2 announcement is likely to be coming sometime in the next 12 months. With a new console in tow, it only makes sense that the flagship franchises like 3D Mario, Mario Kart and Smash Bros. would all be in the works as they typically like to get those out in the early years of their console lifecycles.

Sakurai has alluded multiple times in the past that he doesn't know if it's even possible to follow-up Smash Bros. Ultimate or that if he did, he'd have to rethink the type of sequel it would be. Though it is also the case that Sakurai acts like every Smash Bros. since Brawl would probably be his last, so it wouldn't be surprising if he was at the helm for a new one yet again.

So what do we think GAF? Do new GCN controllers means a new Smash is on the way? I personally wouldn't be surprised to just see a Smash Ultimate rerelease with a handful of new characters for the Switch 2, and another release of Smash branded Gamecube controllers to launch alongside it like they did on the Wii U
 

Dacvak

No one shall be brought before our LORD David Bowie without the true and secret knowledge of the Photoshop. For in that time, so shall He appear.
Always great news. As a former competitive Melee player, I currently have about 40 GameCube controllers, including 3 unopened ones. I’ll similarly stock up if they release the controller again.

It’s one of my favorite controllers, and a really underrated Switch controller. For games that require precision with the left analog stick (like the new Monkey Ball), there’s nothing better than an original GameCube controller.
 
Of course a new Smash Bros is on the way. It's too important a franchise for Nintendo to just leave behind. Maybe Sakurai will take a step back and become an advisor or something, like Miyamoto does for many games.

Anyway, a new Smash is a given IMO, though I don't expect it anytime soon. Unless they just port over Ultimate, which would be a huge disappointment. I expect/hope this has to do with some kind of remaster (Metroid?) for Switch (2) or expanding the Switch Online service with some GCN games.

Great controller by the way, but I'm not buying a separate controller that's only usable in a handful of games.
 

Hrk69

Member
Always great news. As a former competitive Melee player, I currently have about 40 GameCube controllers, including 3 unopened ones.
Anthony Anderson Abc GIF by HULU

You've collected more controllers than I have socks.
 

Dacvak

No one shall be brought before our LORD David Bowie without the true and secret knowledge of the Photoshop. For in that time, so shall He appear.
Great controller by the way, but I'm not buying a separate controller that's only usable in a handful of games.
You can use the GameCube controller as a Pro Controller in any switch game. The only time it doesn’t work is if you need L2/L3/R3/Select or gyro. A lot of games are fine without those.
 

Kataploom

Gold Member
This is weird, but I hope it means GameCube coming to online, despite what many say about it, the online offering ended up being amazing imo, so I would like a N64 controller to use with the Switch, are there any third party good ones that do the job? I'm not from USA so buying it from Nintendo themselves is not an option for me 🥲
 

DKPOWPOW

Member
With that mysterious online test recently and the timing of this…

Are they actually going to have GameCube games playable and not try to cheese out remasters instead?

Nah. No way, they have a literal gold mine of GameCube games worthy of full price remake/remasters. Look at DKCReturns HD. Or Paper Mario Thousand Year Door.

So either new Smash is incoming, which I have my doubts due to the monstrosity Ultimate was.

Or Switch 2 gets a DX edition of Ultimate, like Switch did with Mario Kart. I could see them revamping the online play, adding a full-fledged story mode, upgrading the graphics & balancing, + new characters.

Or… they gonna remake Melee.
 

NeoIkaruGAF

Gold Member
This means that Melee is going to haunt this world for even longer, doesn’t it?

And now I’m here wondering if the next Smash isn’t just going to be an uprezzed Melee port. Fans of that game are exactly the types that would hail it as the best Smash game ever *sigh*

But about the controller. If recent history tells us something, is that these replicas aren’t exactly going to be made in the bazillions and available at every retailer. Doubt you’ll be able to hoard 40 of them.

And no, it wasn’t a very good controller. Good for a bunch of games tailored to it; not ideal, to say it kindly, for so many more games. As Ikaruga and Soul Calibur 2 were among my most-played GC games, I’m honestly baffled at the love that thing still receives 20 years later.
 

Toots

Gold Member
Merriam Webster says :

Reproduction :
"the act or process of reproducing
specifically : the process by which plants and animals give rise to offspring and which fundamentally consists of the segregation of a portion of the parental body by a sexual or an asexual process and its subsequent growth and differentiation into a new individual"

Production :
"the creation of utility
especially : the making of goods available for use"

I know reproduction could work since they are reproducing an old thing but still i love the idea of Nintendo workers watching over controllers like they were panda bears, hoping they will finally stop wandering aimlessly and start having sex with each other.
 
Never understood the love of the GC controller beyond the layout possibly being good for a particular game. The ergonomics of it feels like playing on a controller made of legos. Got a small box them that get the triple H disgust look everytime I walk by.
 

lh032

I cry about Xbox and hate PlayStation.
Would be funny if Nintendo next gen console is gamecube v2 instead of the switch 2
 

Emedan

Member
Oh man, hope this is true and GC comes to NSO. Maybe now then we can finally play Windwaker on switch.. been waiting for that port for 4 years, I'll take the OG if nothing else.
 

Saber

Gold Member
I'm good with that. GC controller is my favorite controller of all time, tied with PS4 controller.
 
A remake of Melee + Brawl in 4K/60fps with lots of new content would be the perfect Smash release for the new system. Don’t try and reinvent the wheel. Most of the modern Smash audience has never played those games, anyway. Would be the perfect entry point. And draw back older players like me who don’t really care about a brand new one.
 
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