The Best Game Boy Player Digital Game Pad? Retro-bit LegacyGC

In this episode we unbox and test out what could be the best Game Boy Player Digital Game Pad to date, the Retro-bit LegacyGC

We love the Nintendo GameCube. The system has an amazing library of games, and that library gets expanded when you add on the Game Boy Player attachment which allows you to play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games on your TV. While you can use your standard or wireless Wavebird controller to play, there is a better option. Hori released a SNES-inspired controller, called the Digital Game Pad, for the GameCube back in the day, and it's awesome, but it has become super expensive. Retro-bit is looking to fill this need with their LegacyGC for the Nintendo Gamecube.

Retro-bit originally debuted The LegacyGC at the 2022 Portland Retro Gaming Expo but did not make a press release about it until January 2023. This is an exclusive partnership between Retro-bit and Castlemania Games, and that will be the only source to purchase these at this time.

The overall shape and design are heavily influenced by the Hori Digital Game Pad, but the shape of the controller has been tweaked slightly. For example, the opening below the start and select buttons have been filled in. From a 3D printer standpoint, it looks like they did not remove the printer supports as it were, but it was a deliberate design choice. The face buttons keep the GameCube style shape and layout. X and Y have your traditional jelly bean sort of shape and placement, A is larger than the other buttons, and B is offset to the left.

The top of the controller has some interesting additions. You have your traditional L & R shoulder buttons, but you also have ZL and ZR offset more inward. The LegacyGC also has a built-in slow-motion option, which could make certain games easier. To connect the controller to your system it features a 10ft/3M long controller cable and a GameCube controller connection on the other side. One of the cool things that Retroe-bit points out is not only is this compatible with the GameCube but also with Nintendo Wii systems that have backward compatible GameCube controller ports. Available in two colors, black, and indigo, and best of all perhaps is the price, it's only $19.99! That is a smoking hot deal compared to over $200 for one of the original Hori controllers.

From the word go, if this were a blind taste test sort of setup, I felt this felt very similar to the Hori Digital Game Pad, not just in shape but performance too. Button presses, D-Pad, and overall performance felt virtually identical to the Hori Game Pad. The only minor criticism of the performance I had was that no matter what I could not pull off the Dragon Upper Cut with the LegacyGC in Street Fighter 2. No matter how many times I tried it just wouldn't do it. But this was the one and only issue I ran into.

Why It RoX:
-ONLY $20
- 2 color options
- 10-foot long cable
- Works on Gamecube and Wii
- Turbo Buttons
- Dual Z buttons on top of controller
- Again, it's ONLY $20!

What Could Be Improved?
- Could not perform Dragon Uppercut in Street Fighter
- No Wireless Option
- More Color Options Would Be Nice

Should You Buy One?
There are so many amazing things about the LegacyGC, this is an excellent option for those looking for a great Game Boy Player controller. It is comfortable, well-balanced, and simply performs well. For my game room, the 10-foot-long controller cable is especially appreciated for me to be able to play and record content at the same time. It did annoy me that I couldn't pull off the dragon uppercut while playing on the Wii, but that was my only minor gripe. Beyond that, the LegacyGC is amazing and something you should consider if you have a Game Boy Player for your GameCube.

#Gamecube #GameBoyPlayer #LegacyGC #RetroBit #CastlemaniaGames #Hori #GameBoy #GameBoyColor #GameBoyAdvance