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Hand Held Legend is a well established and quite popular company that's been around for more than a decade and focuses on controllers, upgrades and replacements for retro consoles and handhelds of all kinds, be it Nintendo's or Sega's older consoles like the NES, Game Boy or Master System, to modern systems like the Switch, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles.

A couple days ago, Hand Held Legend officially unveiled their latest project titled "GC Ultimate Controller", for which they will start a Kickstarter page on September 16th. This project aims to bring the feel of the original Gamecube controller to modern games and systems by offering a DIY solder-free kit that the user can put together on their own and also customize to their own liking, with even an app made to customize through software and recalibrate the sticks, remap buttons and more.

The project will also offer hardware customization as well, like modifying the octagonal plate for the analog stick to a rounded one, a special split D-Pad design where each button can individually be pressed to make it more accurate, two different triggers, one low profile mechanical (fully digital) and a full analog one to replicate the feel of the original Gamecube triggers too, and other options as well.

Currently, their Kickstarter page lists the following features for the GC Ultimate Controller Kit:

• 1:1 footprint with the original GameCube controller
• Support for GameCube, N64, NES, SNES
• Open source firmware and 3D models (Available on GitHub)
• Compatible with OEM triggers and buttons
• Hall effect joysticks (Gulikit TMR with stick-click buttons)
• HD Rumble (The best in its class for aftermarket controllers)
• Bluetooth support (Switch/PC/Android)
• Configuration app (Android/PC/Mac/Linux)
• RGB stick underlighting
• Split D-pad design
• Dual motion control sensors for improved gyro accuracy (Switch/Steam supported)
• Dual Z buttons
• Built-in support for mechanical triggers OR analog triggers (for all of you Melee and Sunshine enthusiasts)
• Swappable gate-plate (Octagon and Circular included)
• USB-C connectivity and recharging
• XInput support for PC/Android (1000hz input rate)
• Native Slippi support (1000hz input rate)
• Ergonomic trigger shape
• Injection Molded buttons
• 100gf tactile Z buttons

The amount of features so far is quite extensive, and the compatibility with modern systems so far cover Android, PC/Steam, Switch and more, although it is currently unknown if other bluetooth-compatible consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series will be compatible or not. Additionally, compatibility with original Gamecube, N64, SNES and NES systems via a special detachable USB Type C to Gamecube cable without the need of an adapter of any kind, with the same type of USB-C cable also being available for N64, SNES and NES systems (with only the GC and N64 ones being showcased in the video).

As for the kit itself, here's what will actually be included within each kit:

• Injection Molded Shell (Emerald Blue is the default) and peripheral parts
• Trigger bracket
• Screw and spring hardware kit
• Analog stick caps
• Button set
• Split D-pad set
• Li-Po battery
• Main PCB
• C-Stick PCB

At the moment of writing, the only base colour option offered is the Emerald Blue, but HHL mentions that if they reach a certain stretch goal, more colours will become available, with them sending a survey to backers so they can select the colour of their choice once the campaign ends.

Those interested can subscribe to be notified about the launch of the Kickstarter project, with the current number of followers sitting at around 1000 right now. The GC Ultimate Controller Kit Kickstarter starts off on September 16th, 2024.

"GC Ultimate Controller Kit" Kickstarter page
Hand Held Legend Website

 

[Marc_LFD]

The DualShock doesn't have a split d-pad, though. It's a single piece of plastic with deep divots, which allow the plastic of the controller shell to go over top, giving it a split look. I've modded and repaired enough of them to be intimately familiar with the fact. Even though Sony thinks a split d-pad looks nice (and I'm inclined to agree with them), they also know that split d-pads are terrible in practice, so they only make them look split.

Oh, the "Sony thinks a split d-pad looks nice" think that's what misled me to it.

 

[NiceMitch]

The DualShock doesn't have a split d-pad, though. It's a single piece of plastic with deep divots, which allow the plastic of the controller shell to go over top, giving it a split look. I've modded and repaired enough of them to be intimately familiar with the fact. Even though Sony thinks a split d-pad looks nice (and I'm inclined to agree with them), they also know that split d-pads are terrible in practice, so they only make them look split.

It's apples to oranges really. There's no dividing plastic barrier, the size is more compact here. This new design works remarkably well and it doesn't compare well to any of Sony's offerings

 

[izy]

One thing that I was disappointed about the WaveBird is that it didn't have rumble/vibration, but it did use rechargeable batteries than an internal battery.

you mean replaceable batteries it uses standard AA's

 

[Marc_LFD]

you mean replaceable batteries it uses standard AA's

Li-Po battery

I thought that was an internal battery just like PS/Nintendo controllers have, but that's good to know.

I might buy one although I've already got plenty of controllers as it is...

 

[BaamAlex]

I prefer the phobgcc boards.

 

[Scarlet]

For those interested, the pricing has been announced. 100 available at $99 and 100 available at $115, with the standard price being $125. Those come with the GC Ultimate kit, analogue trigger kit, mechanical trigger kit, a USB A cable, and travel case. Seems the GameCube and N64 cables are separate add-ons.

Looking forward to this one! Actually seems pretty reasonable.

 

[LightyKD]

I fucking LOVE the GameCube pad. Some of you peeps have seen my 30+ collection. That said, this controller lost me as the damn split D-Pad design. I hope they make an option with a standard D-Pad. Also they should take tips from PowerA and NIXY and make the D-Pad bigger.

 

[NiceMitch]

I fucking LOVE the GameCube pad. Some of you peeps have seen my 30+ collection. That said, this controller lost me as the damn split D-Pad design. I hope they make an option with a standard D-Pad. Also they should take tips from PowerA and NIXY and make the D-Pad bigger.

This is a common thing I'm hearing, but it's one of those "you have to try it" type of things. The split dpad is very intentional and thought-out (and open source).

The dpad is designed to work with the original part, or the new split design.

 

[LightyKD]

This is a common thing I'm hearing, but it's one of those "you have to try it" type of things. The split dpad is very intentional and thought-out (and open source).

The dpad is designed to work with the original part, or the new split design.

If I pick up one of these, I'll be using the original part. While I'm thinking about it, this controller would do well to have a gyro mouse button for PC gaming. At the moment the NIXY Wizard is the best GameCube styled controller on the market but I use it for PC gaming. That comes with a major caveat.

- Use it in XBox mode and lose Gyro

- Use it in Switch Pro mode and lose analog triggers

An easy solution is to keep a controller in XBox mode and have a on/off switch for gyro mouse for those games smart enough to allow mouse + gamepad.

 

[CMDreamer]

Anything that states to "change everything" ends up screwing everything.

Not very fond of their brand.

 

[NiceMitch]

Anything that states to "change everything" ends up screwing everything.

Not very fond of their brand.

I understand the sentiment, however it's just how YouTube algorithm works. Title that doesn't hit some specific beats, just gets buried, and this project survives on its visibility. Look past the title and it's something I have worked very diligently on.

 

[NiceMitch]

We hit our goal

 

[ShadowOne333]

We hit our goal

Congratulations!