Controller Details (from IGN Cube)

Two weeks ago IGNcube brought you a hands-on report detailing the intricacies of the final GameCube controller. Though the controller changes from E3 we highlighted were factual, the images and movie we used to illustrate the differences were in actuality photographs of the GCN development system controller -- not the retail one.

 

Now, though, we've got the goods on the real deal -- the absolutely, final controller that will ship to stores September 14 in Japan and November 5 in the US. And because we're total geeks, we've even snapped nearly 20 new images of the tantalizing pad at all angles, some more revealing than others, and provided a new movie download in which you can hear the R and L button "digital clicks" in motion. How's that for nerdy? We don't care. Experience it all below.

As we reported previously, the GCN controller has changed ever so slightly from E3 in that the formerly kidney-shaped B button is now red and circular. Nintendo has also improved its analog sticks, adding rubbery grips at their ends and adding a greater sense of resistance, which feels much better. The shiny plastic used for development controllers is not featured in the production model, as you can see. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Above: The GCN controller is noticeably smaller than the N64 one

The L and R buttons remain concave and perfectly suited to the needs of the index finger. It seems these two buttons are the favorite parts of the controller for most that have played it -- and that makes sense; everything about them from resistance to shape is polished. And that of course doesn't take into account the "digital click" function, which enables both L and R to work as analog buttons until they are pressed in past a certain point, whereupon they "click" and become digital.

Above: The curvy L and R "digital click" buttons on the GCN controller

What some probably don't know yet is that the buttons on the face of the GameCube controller are not even in height. The A and B buttons -- green and red for those who still haven't matched letters to color yet -- are similar in angle and reach. But surrounding buttons X and Y are raised higher out of the controller, which Nintendo has done intentionally. The Y button in particular is quite tall by comparison, as can be seen in the following up close photo.

Above: The X and Y buttons are noticeable taller than the A and B ones

We've said it plenty times before and we'll say it again: for all of the text we can write about the controller, pictures just don't do it justice. For this reason alone, many still seem confused about the "digital click" function on the L and R buttons of the pad, which is why we've taken the time to record a new movie in which you can listen to the shoulder buttons do their thing. The 8MB movie comes highly recommended and is definitely worth your time.

The movie above is approximately one minute and fifteen seconds in length, and also highlights the controller from every angle, with up close views of the analog sticks and face buttons.

Be sure to check out the nearly 20 high-resolution images of the controller up close below. The photographs below also show off several side-by-side comparison shots of the GameCube and N64 controllers.

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