Controller: Difference between revisions

This was the first controller to be used in ''[[Super Smash Bros]]'' and is the one of two official controllers along with the Japan only release, the Hori Mini Pad; or Hori for short. Compatible with the Nintendo 64, these two controllers see the most use in tournaments in ''Smash 64'' with the original controller being more common. This is partially due to preference and also since Horis tend to be expensive as they need to be imported. Many players however also use a variety of other types of controllers such as Gamecube, X-Box, and even [[keyboard play|keyboard]].  The scene is in general open to any alternative as long as the controller has no macros and only as many buttons as a Hori compared to .

These alternatives however are not common in certain countries with top scenes like Japan where alternative controllers were banned as part of their ruleset and Peru. Due to its infamous analog stick, many players find it uncomfortable for to use for long periods of time. Also, as they break down under stress and range issues due to overuse, multiple players in the community have created alternative for range such as the "{{sm|Derek}} Stick" and by making hybrids with alternative sticks such as the aforementioned Gamecube or "Lodge Net," a hotel exclusive controller. Members have even made alternative stick materials such as the "steel stick."

For ''[[Melee]]'', this was the only controller one could use, barring the use of esoteric adapters for other controllers. In addition to its standard, wired model, a wireless version of the controller, the Wavebird, was also released; though identical in function, it does not have the [[rumble]] capabilities due to battery life concerns. A later revision, produced in white and sporting a three metre cord instead of a two metre, was also released by Nintendo in April 2008 for Japanese players, and it is mostly associated with Japanese players such as {{Sm|Otori}}. While difficult to procure in Western territories, some players have imported the controller and used it in tournaments, such as {{Sm|Nairo}}. A similar controller was also later released in North America for the launch of ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''; this version featured a black colour scheme, a three metre cord, and a stylised [[Super Smash Bros. logo|''Super Smash Bros.'' logo]] silkscreened onto it. New controllers were made again for ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', with a similar design as the ''Smash Wii U'' controller, save for an outlined Smash logo design replacing the ''Smash 4'' design.

Within tournaments for ''Brawl'', ''Project M'', ''Smash Wii U'', and ''Ultimate'', the GameCube controller is by far the most popular option, due to the still-strong tournament scene of ''Melee'' and most players having the opinion of the GameCube controller being the best controller for ''Smash''. Additionally, GameCube controllers do not have battery issues and they are considerably easier to connect to a [[Wii]], as they do not require devoted processes for syncing them to different consoles. The Wavebird, however, is generally banned at large events; the controller allows for only sixteen potential channels between it and its dongle, and a large amount of such controllers being used at once can potentially lead to interference issues between different players at different setups. In addition, players could set their controller to the same channel as another player on purpose, to interfere with other players.

In tournaments, this controller is rarely, if ever, used, due to having severe limitations not present in other controllers. The controller has significantly fewer buttons available for use, badly limiting the player's potential options; jumping, for instance, can only be set to up on the D-pad, limiting the player's aerial mobility, and techniques like [[boost grab]]s and [[DACUS]]ing are impossible to perform. In addition, the lack of an analogue stick makes performing some maneuvers impossible to perform, such as angling [[forward tilt]]s, shifting the positions of [[shield]]s, and reducing the accuracy of directional attacks, such as [[Fire Fox]].

The Classic Controller were initially intended for use with [[Virtual Console]], though this later changed when the Wii's library began to grow, with some games allowing the use of the controller as an option to play the game. ''Brawl'' allows use of the controller, which takes on a form-factor similar to that of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System's controller. After ''Brawl's'' release, an updated version, the Classic Controller Pro, added "wings" to the controller, made its profile thicker, and slightly changed the layout of the shoulder buttons, arguably making the controller more comfortable for players to use.

Despite being almost functionally identical to a GameCube controller with an added shoulder button, the Classic Controller is not often used in tournaments. Besides most players simply already having a GameCube controller or preferring the design of the GameCube controller, such as in regards to the placement of the left analogue stick, this can be attributed to the Classic Controller having potential connectivity and interference issues that come with wireless controllers, and that the Classic Controller effectively requires the player to bring along batteries and a Wii Remote. The Classic Controller has also been reported to be less durable than the official GameCube controllers, thus requiring players to have to spend more money to obtain replacement controllers as to continue playing. Despite these flaws, a small number of players chiefly use the Classic Controller in tournaments, such as {{Sm|Vermanubis}}.

[[File:ModifiedController.jpg|thumb|A modified GameCube controller; the left analogue stick has been replaced with one from a Nunchuk, and the bottom shell has been replaced with that of a black controller.]]

Cosmetic mods focus on changing the physical appearance of the controller, such as by recolouring the casing or merging two different shells together to form a two-toned controller. Although rarer, other methods of cosmetic changes can also involve placing LEDs into the casing or changing the physical appearance of individual buttons.

Functional mods involve physically altering aspects of the controller, as to improve its function. Common functional mods include changing either the analogue sticks, triggers or the individual buttons. For the analogue sticks, common mods focus on replacing worn-down sticks; while most players generally replace analogue sticks with those from identical models, combining two different controllers is not an uncommon practice, and those from non-Nintendo controllers, such as {{iw|wikipedia|DualShock}} controllers, can be featured. In addition, ''Brawl'', ''Project M'', ''Smash Wii U'', and ''Ultimate'' players can choose to remove the springs from the L and R due to the games not recognising light button presses; ''Melee'' players also sometimes alter the length of the springs, as to allow for less resistance to press down the triggers. Finally, other mods involve completely severing the [[rumble]] from the controller, thus decreasing controller weight and preventing the need to constantly have to switch rumble off.

Within tournaments, controllers are rarely provided to players, and players are expected to bring their own controller; as such, the phrase '''BYOC''' is commonly found in tournament rulesets, meaning "Bring Your Own Controller". Players are responsible for their own controllers, as tournaments will not replace them or compensate players who lose them. Players with wireless controllers are also responsible for any issues that may arise from them, including issues with battery life or interference, and tournament organisers are not obligated to assist players of these controllers should issues end up influencing a match.

The decision of whether or not modified controllers should be banned or not is up to the discretion of the tournament organiser, though a ban does not necessarily have to be black-and-white, with differing mods potentially requiring different regulations. Large tournaments, however, may issue a blanket ban on all modified controllers, as to avoid logistics issues of whether or not to allow specific controllers.