11 mo. ago • 100%

Suggestions for a GameCube controller for PC Linux

Dear Linux gaming community,

Do you have any good recommendations for a GameCube controller compatible with Linux? It can be wireless or not, that doesn't matter, as long as it is as close to the original controller at possible or better.

I've never owned a GameCube, so I intend on giving its games a go with an emulator. Especially the legend of Zelda and Metroid.

Your feedback is highly appreciated.

18 comments

PowerA made a wireless GC controller for Switch. I got one and paired it with my Steamdeck. Works fine.

Also, for the Metroid Prime's, if you're not too hung up on playing it the original way, look into Primehack. It's a modded Dolphin emulator with specific FPS controls for Metroid Prime. There are packages for Linux available. I think the one that worked best for me was the flatpak version.

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- I've got two that are pretty much clones of the GC controllers, but with USB plugs. They work find on a retropie system. I can check the brand once I'm home from work.
  
  NVM: I was mixing up GameCube and N64 controllers. I've got the latter
  
  2
- I have the wired version of the same controller.
  
  Works great. Biggest differences from the original GC controller are the shoulder buttons not being analog and there's no rumble.
  
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I've got one called a "mayflash adapter" that I've had for the better part of a decade. I think it was originally a 3rd party wii peripheral, but it has slots for 4 GC controllers and dual USB with a switch for "PC/WII". It still works perfectly on dolphin and even steam across the various distros I've used over the years.

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- I'll second your mayflash adapter. I have a few of those, including the GC one, and it works great!
  
  1
- It's that it?
  
  Gamecube controller Adapter, Cbsky® Wii U adaptateur Gamecube pour Wii U et PC USB, 4 ports, Noir https://a.co/d/8slfdh9
  
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  Yea mine is old enough to be labeled for the Wii not Wii U, but otherwise it looks exactly the same
  
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I just use the wiiU Gamecube USB adapter and OG gamecube Controller Works great with dolphin

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- Is it still available for purchase?
  
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  There is a switch variant which is only a rebranded case for same hardware if I understood that right.
  
  https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/42816/~/how-to-use-the-gamecube-controller-with-nintendo-switch
  
  2
There are a few good answers here already, so instead I'll go ahead and ask: Why a GC controller in the first place?

This is just my opinion, but unless you're going for absolute authenticity over any kind of comfort, I'd just use any modern controller instead. Unlike the Wii Nunchuks, the layout maps to modern controllers pretty well, particularly to Xbox-style controllers. The GC doesn't have that many exclusives either that would make a purchase worthwhile, since many of them got ports/remasters/remakes over the years.

So my advice would be to start emulating using a regular controller first, and only grab a GC controller after a while, if you still feel the need to get one at that point.

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- I appreciate your answer. I've tried with an Xbox controller and, yeah it works. But, line you said, I'm really looking for that authentic feel.
  
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I use the 8bitdo ultimate controller. It is super programmable, the analogue triggers work with dolphin, and it has a nice dock. It has Bluetooth and a 2.4 GHz dongle. 8bitdo also makes a wireless gamecube adapter that connects to an original GC controller. Although I haven’t tested it and it doesn’t mention Linux compatibility

2
- Thanks, but I'm looking for a GameCube controller lookalike.
  
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I have been eyeing

https://retrofighters.com/our-collection/battlergc-next-gen-wireless-gamecube

Or

https://retrofighters.com/our-collection/bladegc-gamecube-wireless-controller/

But I don't know about Linux capabilities unless you use the GameCube dongle with a GC to USB adapter in which case it should be fine because these are meant to work on real hardware.

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- Yeah I think that night end up being my decision after all.
  
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  Can confirm, I tried a couple of USB controllers and none were that great. Ended up getting a USB to GC adapter and it's worked great.
  
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