************************************************************************ WaveBird Wireless Controller For Nintendo GameCube and Nintendo Wii Written by: cvxfreak Version: 2.1 October 09, 2011 E-mail: cvxguides[at]gmail[dot]com ************************************************************************ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table of Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Version Updates 2. What is the WaveBird? 3. Information 4. WaveBird and Wii 5. About the Author 6. Conclusion ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Version Updates ------------------------------------------------------------------------ October 9, 2011 Version: 2.1 Just some minor format updates and an update to my e-mail address. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. What is the WaveBird? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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". ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Information ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Here is all the information present about the WaveBird, in the form of frequently asked questions. 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. As of 2011, they are unavailable in stores as new controllers because Nintendo has discontinued the WaveBird. Question: What kind of batteries does the WaveBird require? Answer: The WaveBird requires two standard AA batteries. Two AA batteries were included with new WaveBirds. Question: Can I use four WaveBirds with one GameCube or Wii? Answer: Absolutely, but make sure each WaveBird is assigned a different channel that corresponds the receiver on the actual console so there are no signal interruptions. 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 four people playing at one time, there will not be any interference. 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. Question: Where is the channel adjuster knob on the controller? Answer: On the controller, it is on the very bottom side underneath the model information. Question: My WaveBird doesn't work! Any suggestions? Answer: 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 upside down. If they are right side up, check to see if they still have life left in them (for example, use them on another device). If they still work, check to see if the channels correspond. If they correspond, then check to see if the GameCube or Wii is on. It needs to be on to work. If the GameCube or Wii 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 Nintendo (1-800-255-3700 in North America). However, the chances of a repair or exchange in 2011 are very slim. 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. Question: What company manufactures the WaveBird? Answer: Nintendo manufactured the WaveBird, and thus is an official first party product. Question: What colors is the WaveBird available in? Answer: In North America and Japan, the controller comes in gray and platinum. Platinum matches the platinum-colored (or silver) GameCube. Question: How far does the WaveBird's signal reach? 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 penetrate and other potential signals that may disrupt the WaveBird's own signal (other WaveBirds or other wireless-emitting products, for example). Question: Does the WaveBird have a rumble feature? Answer: No. According to Nintendo, back in 2002, when the WaveBird was originally released, AA batteries would not last long if rumble was kept, so they removed the feature. 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. For a vast majority of games, they both perform basically the same. For some games in which timing is very sensitive, such as Super Smash Bros. Melee, the WaveBird may lag in comparison to a standard controller. In the U.S., the WaveBird was $15 more expensive than the standard controller, and the cord controllers come in a variety of colors. Question: Can I use a WaveBird bought in Japan on a North American GameCube or Wii and vice versa? Answer: Absolutely. Controller peripherals are always universally compatible with GameCube consoles worldwide (same with the Wii for those peripherals that can be plugged into the Wii). The only things not universal on the GameCube are the Memory Card (59, 251, 1019), the AV cables (on PAL GameCubes), AC adaptor and the games themselves. Question: Where can I buy a WaveBird? Answer: In 2011, you're best bet to try auction sites like Ebay or used game shops, since the WaveBird is no longer being manufactured by Nintendo. When using auction or other websites, ensure that you are using a trustworthy seller. I take no responsibility for any online transactions that go wrong. Question: Is the WaveBird heavier than the standard controller? Answer: No, they weigh about the same (when batteries are inside the WaveBird). Question: Should I use rechargeable batteries with the WaveBird? Answer: Back in 2002, rechargeable batteries were expensive and unreliable, but in 2011, eneloops have become widely available and provide reliable energy at low prices. I've had no issues using eneloops with my WaveBird. 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. Question: If we are playing in 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. WaveBird and Wii ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. About The Author ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You can find me posting on the following websites regularly: Twitter - www.twitter.com/cvxfreak NeoGAF - www.neogaf.com GameFAQs - www.gamefaqs.com Biohaze - www.biohaze.com I have a GameFAQs contributor page, where you can find my other guides: http://gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/9035.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. Conclusion ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This guide is complete and up-to-date to the best of my knowledge. I want to give the following special thanks: - My family and friends for their continued support - GameFAQs for being a great website after all these years cvxfreak cvxguides[at]gmail.com This document is copyright 2011 by cvxfreak. Please respect this copyright.