Controller options

[sylveon_004]

What options do I have for controllers on my modded Wii U? Do GameCube controllers work with the USB adapter? First-party Switch wired/wireless? Third party Switch, Wii/Wii U wired/wireless? I have no idea. I don't wanna spend $70 on a DualSense or try to find a good pre-owned Xbox One controller. We want to play GameCube, Wii, and Wii U. GameCube and Wii games will be injects.

 

[tmnr1992]

You'll want to use Bloopair, which allows you to connect a bunch of different controllers wirelessly:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/bloopair-connect-controllers-from-other-consoles-natively.594289/

A few controllers that are not on the list, like 8bitdo, will also work.
Another option is to use a Mayflash GameCube to Wiimote adapter, which lets you connect a GameCube controller to your Wiimote, should work with all GameCube games and any Wii and Wii U game that supports the Wii classic controller.

For wired controllers you have fewer options. GameCube controllers will work with the USB adapter, but only for GameCube games and Smash Bros. for Wii U. There's also Fakemote, which allows you to play Wii games with a PS3 or PS4 controller connected via USB, but it's still a bit buggy, I couldn't get it to work on Wii U, and even on Wii some games crash.

Lastly, I know a lot of people like to inject Wii and GameCube games to have everything on the main menu, but I would recommend that you use USB Partition instead:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/usb-partition-use-partitioned-usb-hdds-with-the-wii-u.656209/

This will allow you to make a partition for Wii U games, and a second partition for Wii and GameCube games to play them through USB Loader GX. It's easier and faster to setup, allows for more customization such as different aspect ratios, cheats and emunand support, and will save you space on the Wii U main menu, as injects count towards the 300 title limit.

 

[sylveon_004]

I'm not super worried about the 300 title limit on the home menu. But what is a good 3rd party wii remote? Or do I buy an official one pre owned from gamestop? And do 8bitdo controllers work on GameCube, Wii, and Wii U? Or only Wii U? Lastly, how do I set up partitions if I shouldn't use injects and is an SD card or External HDD better for games?

 

[tmnr1992]

I'm not super worried about the 300 title limit on the home menu. But what is a good 3rd party wii remote? Or do I buy an official one pre owned from gamestop?

I would go with official Wiimotes if you can, they're still fairly cheap

And do 8bitdo controllers work on GameCube, Wii, and Wii U? Or only Wii U?

Anything connected through Bloopair will only work with Wii U games, injects won't work.

Basically this is what's available:

• Wii U: Bloopair, which supports 8bitdo, PS3, PS4, PS5, joycons, Switch pro and Xbox One S/X controllers among others. Wii classic controller and Wii U pro controller.
• GameCube: GameCube USB adapter, Wii U pro controller.
• Wii: Wiimote, Wii classic controller, and GameCube controllers via the Mayflash GameCube to Wiimote adapter (will only work with games that support the classic controller).

Lastly, how do I set up partitions if I shouldn't use injects and is an SD card or External HDD better for games?

It's not that you shouldn't use injects, I do think that USB Loader is more reliable, but in the end it's up to personal preference.
Assuming that you go the partitions route, HDD will be a better option overall, just follow the steps to setup USB Partition from the second link I provided.


You could also get this receiver to enable even more controllers for Wii and GameCube:
https://shop.8bitdo.com/products/mod-kit-for-original-ngc?variant=44610072412337

I got both the receiver and GameCube modkit controller, and if I connect the receiver to a GameCube Usb adapter, I can use the NGC modkit controller with GameCube games, I didn't test any other controllers but the receiver supports a few like PS4 and Switch pro controller, it might also work for Wii by connecting the receiver to a Mayflash GameCube to Wiimote adapter, but I don't have one of those to test it.

 

[sylveon_004]

Can I use my Series X/S controllers with that 8bitdo adapter or a different 8bitdo adapter? And can I use any other controller to navigate the wii u menu to play gamecube, wii, and wii u games? I'm kinda on the edge about getting a wii controller if I can potentially navigate the menu with one controller using the thumbstick. Can I not use the right thumbstick as a wii cursor like with Dolphin? I guess the goal is to be able to use two controllers at once

Post automatically merged: Oct 28, 2025

I guess something like one controller for everything if possible. Or one controller for wii and wii u and a GameCube controller for those games. Can a controller work on a wii game that holds the wii remote sideways? Nunchuk emulation with the right thumbstick?

 

[tmnr1992]

Can I use my Series X/S controllers with that 8bitdo adapter or a different 8bitdo adapter?

According to their website you can:
https://www.8bitdo.com/ngc-retro-receiver/

And can I use any other controller to navigate the wii u menu to play gamecube, wii, and wii u games?

Any controller connected via Bloopair will let you navigate the Wii U's main menu.

Can I not use the right thumbstick as a wii cursor like with Dolphin?

That's not possible at the moment.

 

[sylveon_004]

So if I use the receiver over bloopair, I won't be able to use the controller to navigate? So I need a wii remote for Wii games that use motion controls maybe sideways controls, GameCube controller for GameCube, and anything else for Wii U games?

 

[tmnr1992]

So if I use the receiver over bloopair, I won't be able to use the controller to navigate?

Bloopair doesn't support the GameCube USB adapter, but if your controller is detected by bloopair it will let you navigate the main menu.

So I need a wii remote for Wii games that use motion controls maybe sideways controls, GameCube controller for GameCube, and anything else for Wii U games?

Yes, for Wii games you will need a Wii remote, and depending on the game also a nunchuck or classic controller. For Wii U and GameCube you could use a Wii U pro controller, that'll work for both.

 

[sylveon_004]

So a wii remote and nunchuk for wii and bloopair for wii U and GameCube? I hope I'm finally understanding this