GameCube controller

GameCube controller
Indigo GameCube controller
ManufacturerNintendo
Product familyGameCube
TypeGamepad
GenerationSixth
Release date
September 14, 2001
  • GameCube (original release)
    • JP: September 14, 2001
    • NA: November 18, 2001
    • EU: May 3, 2002
    • AU: May 17, 2002
  • Wii U re-release
    • JP: December 6, 2014
    • NA: November 21, 2014
    • EU: November 28, 2014
    • AU: November 29, 2014
  • Nintendo Switch re-release and redesign
    • NA: November 2, 2018
    • JP: November 16, 2018
    • EU: December 7, 2018
    • AU: December 7, 2018
Lifespan2001–present
Input
  • 2 × analog sticks
  • 2 × hybrid analog triggers/digital buttons
  • 6 × digital buttons (A, B, X, Y, Z, Start)
  • Digital D-pad
  • Macro & turbo buttons (third-party GameCube controllers only)
ConnectivityGameCube controller port
Dimensions
  • 65 mm (2.6 in) × 140 mm (5.5 in) × 100 mm (3.9 in); 2 m (6 ft 7 in) cable
PredecessorNintendo 64 controller
Successor

The GameCube controller is the standard game controller for the GameCube home video game console, manufactured by Nintendo and launched in 2001. As the successor to the Nintendo 64 controller, it is the progression of Nintendo's controller design in numerous ways. The contentious M-shaped design of its predecessor was replaced with a more conventional handlebar style controller shape; a second analog stick was added, replacing the C buttons with a C stick and the X and Y face buttons, last seen on the Super Nintendo controller, were reintroduced; the shoulder buttons were changed to hybrid analog triggers. A wireless variant of the GameCube controller known as the WaveBird was released in 2002.

Though many elements of the GameCube controller's unique design were not embraced by many future twin-stick gamepads (such as the pressure-sensitive shoulder buttons and a face button layout that emphasizes one button over three others), some controllers adopted its staggered analog stick layout. The GameCube controller continued to endure even beyond its system's launch cycle, gaining varying levels of support from its subsequent successor consoles.

Years after the GameCube's discontinuation, Nintendo officially re-released the controller, with the international launch of the fourth and fifth installments of the Super Smash Bros. series, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, due to the persisting popularity of the GameCube controller in the Super Smash Bros. community after the release of the critically-acclaimed Super Smash Bros. Melee in 2001.