Hand Held Legend is a well-established and popular company that has been around for over 10 years, focusing on controllers, upgrades, and replacements for all kinds of retro consoles and handhelds, from older consoles like the Nintendo and Sega NES, Game Boy, and Master System, to more modern systems like the Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles.
A few days ago, Hand Held Legend officially announced their latest project called “GC Ultimate Controller” and will launch a Kickstarter page on September 16th. The project aims to bring the feel of the original Gamecube controller to modern games and systems by providing a DIY solderless kit that users can assemble and customize to their liking. There is also an app for software customization, recalibrating the sticks, remapping buttons, etc.
The project also offers hardware customizations such as changing the octagonal plates on the analog sticks to round ones, a special split D-pad design that allows each button to be pressed individually for greater precision, and two different triggers: one low-profile mechanical (fully digital) and one fully analog that replicates the feel of the original GameCube triggers.
Currently, the Kickstarter page lists the following features for the GC Ultimate Controller Kit:
1:1 footprint with the original GameCube controller Supports GameCube, N64, NES, SNES Open source firmware and 3D model (available on GitHub) Compatible with OEM triggers and buttons Hall effect joystick (Gulikit TMR with stick click buttons) HD vibration (best in class for an aftermarket controller) Bluetooth support (Switch/PC/Android) Settings app (Android/PC/Mac/Linux) RGB stick underlighting Split D-pad design Dual motion control sensors for improved gyro precision (Switch/Steam compatible) Dual Z-buttons Built-in support for mechanical or analog triggers (for Melee and Sunshine enthusiasts) Interchangeable gate plates (including octagonal and circular) USB-C connection and charging XInput support for PC/Android (1000hz input rate) Native Slippi support (1000hz input rate) Ergonomic trigger shape Injection molded buttons 100gf tactile Z ButtonsSo far, the number of features is quite extensive, and compatibility with the latest systems covers Android, PC/Steam, Switch, etc., but it is currently unknown whether it will be compatible with other Bluetooth-enabled consoles such as PS5 and Xbox Series. In addition, via a special detachable USB Type-C to Gamecube cable, it is compatible with the original Gamecube, N64, SNES, and NES systems without the need for any adapters, and the same type of USB-C cable can also be used with N64, SNES, and NES systems (only GC and N64 are featured in the video).
As for the kits themselves, here’s what each kit actually includes:
Injection molded shell (emerald blue is the default) and surrounding parts, trigger bracket, hardware kit of screws and springs, analog stick caps, button set, split D-pad set, lithium polymer battery, main PCB, C-stick PCB. At the time of writing, emerald blue is the only base color option on offer, but HHL says that more colors will be available if certain stretch goals are reached, and that a survey will be sent to backers after the campaign ends, allowing them to choose which color they would like.
Those interested can sign up to be notified of the launch of the Kickstarter project. It currently has around 1000 followers. The GC Ultimate Controller Kit Kickstarter will launch on September 16, 2024.
“GC Ultimate Controller Kit” Kickstarter page
Handheld Legends Website
