Classic Controller Score: 90% Developer: Nintendo Device Type: Controller

Function: Among the great launch titles for the Wii are the games for the Virtual Console, featured in the Shop Channel. Some of these download games can be played with the Wii-mote, but many require either a Gamecube controller or the Classic Controller. Since the Classic Controller attaches to the Wii-mote, you get to play with a minimum of wires. If you've used the Nunchuk attachment, you know how it works. The difference is that instead of an add-on controller, you get a controller that really takes center stage. Plug into the Wii-mote and then forget about the Wii-mote... The Classic Controller is chock full of buttons. It features two analog sticks, a D-pad and four buttons on the top face plus four shoulder buttons on the top. Two of the shoulder buttons have two points of contact that would allow them to work like four buttons. A trio of buttons (Select, Start and Home) round out the Classic Controller. There is a mystery button on the top that seems to release a pair of spring-loaded catches on the back face of the controller. Our educated guess is that some future piece of hardware will allow you to "dock" the Classic Controller, but we haven't seen anything yet that uses this mechanism. All these buttons come into play on some titles, but you'll find that the Wii-mote is sufficient for controlling the older games. Eight buttons are a bit overkill when a game only uses two buttons... The Internet Channel and Opera browser benefit from the analog sticks on the Classic Controller if you aren't sold on browsing by waving your arms and pointing. The main purpose of the Classic Controller is to gain more control in classic titles for N64, Turbografx or Sega Genesis.

Performance: If you want to play the N64 games available for download, you have to have the Classic Controller, whether you like it or not. Since the library of N64 games is nothing compared to the older titles, it might seem odd that the Classic Controller is routinely sold out in stores. Chalk that up to this being a very smooth controller that feels good in your hands and gets the job done. The Classic Controller is reminiscent of the DualShock in the sense that it just feels like a quality product. Third party hardware may come along, but this is original issue. I loved every minute of Super Mario 64 and the Genesis games really benefit from the wider array of buttons. The analog sticks are especially nice in games where pinpoint control is important. We all did fine on our Genesis with just a D-pad, but that's like arguing against central air conditioning...

Features: Allows control of Virtual Console download games Eight buttons and analog control Wireless by way of connection to Wii-mote Does not require batteries; powered by Wii-mote

Drawbacks & Problems:: The only thing approaching an issue was the connection to the Wii-mote. At times, the Wii-mote got in the way of the Classic Controller because the Wii-mote was pointing at the screen. Moving the Wii-mote solved this problem, but the cord between the Wii-mote and the Classic Controller is not long, so you don't have a huge number of options for stashing your Wii-mote. The use of the Classic Controller in other modes is limited to very basic controls right now, so we hope to see it used more widely across the entire system. The "docking" feature is somewhat of a mystery and since we don't know the hardware required, we can't attest to how this does or doesn't work. What we do know is the Classic Controller brings the Virtual Console to life and lets you play the classic download games with precision and arcade nostalgia. For the money ($20), this is a steal. Good luck finding one...

-Fridtjof, GameVortex Communications AKA Matt Paddock