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Nintendo GameCube and Nintendo Wii - WaveBird Wireless Controller FAQ
Written by: cvxfreak
Version: 2.0
April 06, 2007
E-mail: FireEmblemPride[at]gmail[dot]com
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CONTENTS
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1. Version Updates
2. What is the WaveBird?
3. Information
4. WaveBird and Wii
5. Conclusion
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1. VERSION UPDATES
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April 6, 2007
Version: 2.0
Wow, it's been years since I updated this FAQ. So much for being a final
version, eh? Anywho, I'm updating this FAQ to reflect better writing,
and the presence of Nintendo's next generation system, the Nintendo
Wii.
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2. WHAT IS THE WAVEBIRD?
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The WaveBird is a wireless controller for the Nintendo GameCube system.
It is also compatible with the Nintendo Wii. Considered the controller
that set the standard for future consoles to come (the Xbox 360,
PlayStation 3 and Wii use wireless controllers), the WaveBird is
considered one of the best controllers ever created. It features 8
buttons, 2 control sticks (the main stick and the C-stick) and a digital
pad, as well as a compartment to hold the necessary two AA batteries.
For more information, check out the next section, "Information".
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3. Information
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Here is all the information present about the WaveBird, in the form
of frequently asked questions.
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QUESTION: How much does the WaveBird Wireless Controller cost?
ANSWER: The MSRP in the United States is $34.99. However, some stores
like Target and Circuit City sell them for $29.99. In Japan, the
WaveBird goes for 4500 Yen.
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QUESTION: What kind of batteries does it use?
ANSWER: It uses 2 standard AA batteries. 2 AA batteries are included
with the package.
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QUESTION: Can I use 4 WaveBirds with one console?
ANSWER: Absolutely. But make sure each WaveBird is assigned a different
channel that corresponds the receiver on the actual console so there are
no interruptions.
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QUESTION: What's a channel?
ANSWER: A channel is the frequency the signals from the controller is
running on. There are 16 of them so if there are 4 people playing at one
time, there will not be any interference.
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QUESTION: If I am playing by myself, which channel do I use?
ANSWER: Use any of the 16 channels you like as long as it matches your
receiver's channel.
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QUESTION: Where is the channel adjuster?
ANSWER: On the controller, it is on the very bottom side underneath the
model information.
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QUESTION: My WaveBird doesn't work! Any suggestions?
ANSWER: Well, first see if it is on. If it isn't, but the button is in
the "on" position, check to see if the batteries are on upside down. If
they are right side up, check to see if they still have life left in
them. If they still work, check to see if the channels are corresponded.
If they are, then check to see if the GameCube is on. It needs to be on
to work. If the GameCube is on, check to see if the controller port
works with another controller. If the controller port works, then it's
safe to say that you've got a defective WaveBird, so you should
immediately return it to the store and exchange it, or call up Nintendo.
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QUESTION: When we play with 4 players, the signal is weak! Help?
ANSWER: Try spreading the channels out so they are farthest away from
each other. Try having Controller Port 1 be channel 1, Controller Port 2
be Channel 4, Controller Port 3 be Channel 9 and Controller Port 4 be
channel 14. If the signal is still weak then refer to the above for
giving maintenance to the controller.
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QUESTION: Who makes the WaveBird?
ANSWER: Nintendo makes the WaveBird, and it's an official product.
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QUESTION: What colors does it come in?
ANSWER: In North America and Japan, the controller comes in grey and
platinum. Platinum matches the platinum GameCube.
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QUESTION: How far does the WaveBird's reach go?
ANSWER: Nintendo claims up to 20 feet, but there have been reports of it
going even further. It depends on how many walls the signal has to
go through and other potential signals that may disrupt the WaveBird's
signal (other WaveBirds or other wireless products, for example).
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QUESTION: Does the WaveBird have a rumble feature?
ANSWER: No. Back in 2002, when the WaveBird was released, AA batteries
wouldn't last long if rumble was kept.
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QUESTION: Is there a difference between the WaveBird and the normal
GameCube controller?
ANSWER: Other than the fact that one is cordless and one isn't, and the lack
of rumble in the WaveBird, there really isn't a difference. At maximum
performance they both perform basically the same. The WaveBird is $15
more expensive than the cord controller, and the cord controllers come
in a variety of colors.
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QUESTION: Can I use a WaveBird bought in Japan on a U.S. console and
vice versa?
ANSWER: Absolutely. Controller peripherals are always universal. The
only things not universal on the GameCube is the Memory Card (59, 251
1019), the AV cables (on PAL GameCubes), AC adaptor and the games
themselves. Everything else is pretty much universal.
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QUESTION: Where can I buy a WaveBird?
ANSWER: In 2007, now that the GameCube has been supplanted by the Wii,
WaveBirds are more difficult to find, but while they're still around,
they should be available at most retailers that still stock GameCube
products. Best Buy, Circuit City, GameStop/EBGames, Toys R Us, Amazon,
Target, Walmart and Ebay are good places to try.
There's a chance Nintendo will keep shipping the WaveBird because the
Wii is considerably more popular than the GameCube ever was, meaning
that more people will have access to GameCube software now. But that
remains to be seen.
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QUESTION: Is the WaveBird heavier?
ANSWER: No, they weigh about the same.
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QUESTION: Should I use rechargeable batteries?
ANSWER: You can use rechargeable batteries, but the battery life might
not be as Nintendo promises, and there's the chance (not sure of the
odds) of them damaging your controller or other accessories. I take no
responsibility if rechargeable batteries disrupt your WaveBird.
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QUESTION: My WaveBird started malfunctioning. What's going on?
ANSWER: Change your batteries. If your batteries are down, the power
keeps going on and off which will cause the WaveBird to malfunction.
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QUESTION: If we are playing multiplayer, and we set the receiver to
another player's channel, can we interfere with them?
ANSWER: No. The WaveBird is set up with modern identification techniques
to prevent these instances from happening.
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For anymore questions, feel free to e-mail me.
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4. WAVEBIRD AND WII
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The Nintendo Wii is Nintendo's latest game system. While it's now
earning its reputation and popularity through its unique, remote-shaped
controller, Nintendo's made it possible to play games from all four of
its previous consoles, the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Super
Nintendo Entertainment System, the Nintendo 64 and the GameCube. It is
also possible to enjoy Sega Genesis and Turbographx 16 games as well.
These must be purchased using Nintendo's Virtual Console store.
Because the Wii Remote can be used only to play NES and TG-16 games,
Nintendo included 4 GameCube controller ports in order to allow other
older games to be played. The WaveBird receiver can be hooked up to the
appropriate GameCube controller port on the Wii (first port has one dot,
fourth has four), but the Wii Remote must be used to navigate the Wii
OS menu.
Once an SNES, Genesis or N64 game have been booted, a request for the
"Classic Controller" will come up. The Classic Controller is actually a
Wii-specific controller that can also be used to play Virtual Console
games, but not GameCube games. Although the request says "Classic
Controller" the presence of a GameCube controller including the WaveBird
will satisfy this condition and start the game.
While the Classic Controller or WaveBird aren't needed for playing
NES or TG-16 games, they can still be used for those systems as well.
Some Wii games will allow you to use GameCube controllers to play them,
including Nintendo's Fire Emblem: Goddess of War, Metal Slug Anthology
and Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 2. Naturally, the WaveBird works
as well. More games that use GameCube controllers are coming.
Other than this, the WaveBird functions exactly the same for GameCube
titles running on Wii. You can use up to four WaveBirds on the Wii with
different channels.
It has been touted as a more desirable option than the GameCube or
Classic Controllers for N64 games, but less than desirable for SNES
games.
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5. CONCLUSION
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This WaveBird FAQ is basically finished, as I've covered nearly every
aspect needed on the controller, for both the GameCube and the Wii.
Thanks to:
-Nintendo for creating the GameCube and the WaveBird.
-Jeff "CJayC" Veasey for posting this on GameFAQS.com.
-Friends and family.
CVXFREAK
FireEmblemPride[at]gmail[dot]com
