Reviewed: May 11, 2005
Reviewed by: Mat Houghton
Manufacturer
MadCatz
Type: Wireless Controller
System: GameCube
Rating: 7.0
Features
MSRP: $24.99
The GameCube has always had the worst layout of any controller in console history. Yeah the Xbox was originally ponderous and huge, but has since slimmed down, and even at it’s biggest was still fairly easy to use. The Cube on the other hand, has always had this weird thing with different sized buttons and an out of place trigger only on one side. It’s the Frankenstein of gaming, some hideous conglomeration of cast off parts and animated through devices better left unknown to mortal men.
At any rate, Madcatz figured out how to do it, slapped one together, cut the cord and said “It’s alive!! ALIVE!!!” Now the Nintendo Wavebird finally has its first real competition with the GameCube MicroCon Wireless.
The Cube version is perhaps the best of the three wireless MicroCons that Madcatz has put out there. While it is just a tad too small to be really comfortable, the buttons are all fairly accessible and it fits snuggly in the hand (though I hate the action on the triggers, it just feels too loose).
This controller also has the smallest receiver of the bunch, though the thing is still sitting at about twice the size of a PS2 memory card.
I can’t say that this is a perfect controller, there is still the nagging issue of an on/off switch and no sleep mode so come prepared with plenty of AAA batteries (and no, they are not included, what do you think this is), and be prepared to change them often. Other than that it functions well, has good range, four channels for multi-player capability and it fairly inexpensive at $24.99. It isn’t the best wireless controller out there, but it is pretty good and cheaper than a Wavebird.