Cirka Freepad GameCube Controller Has Rumble AND Analog Triggers! #Shorts
112In this YouTube #Shorts Episode, we take another look at the Cirka Freepad for the Ninendo GameCube and whether it has analog or digital triggers.
Check out our full review by visiting https://youtu.be/aV2_3CUEWvA
We were recently asked if the Cirka Freepad had true analog triggers or if they were digital. Since our original review nearly 2 years ago, I had not used the controller as I have 2 Wavebird controllers I use and love. So, to help out Patrick S, I pulled it back out of the box and tested it out on the game he was specifically asking about, Super Mario Sunshine. The results show that the triggers are analog, and you can walk and spray with FLUDD in Mario Sunshine.
The Nintendo GameCube offered my favorite controller of all time. The stock GameCube controller was so comfortable to use that it has endured even until today. If you ask most serious competitive Super Smash Bros players what controller they prefer, they use some variant of the GameCube controller.
The Nintendo Wavebird was a variation of the GameCube controller that offered wireless gameplay. Best of all it was a first-party solution. It works great, but over time they do tend to wear out. This is where Cirka comes into play, a budget-friendly accessory manufacturer. Their new FreePad offers a modern take on a wireless controller solution for the Nintendo GameCube.
The FreePad is available in two different colors, indigo and midnight black to match the two most popular GameCube colors. Power is provided by two AA-batteries, not included, and a wireless dongle receives the signals and plugs into your system.
The plastics of the controller are pretty smooth and, honestly, kind of slippery. It doesn't have that textured feeling that the GameCube controller had. For some, this may be a turn-off. Everything is a little bit smaller than the Wavebird as well, from the overall footprint, to the buttons, to the analog sticks.
One exciting addition over the Wavebird is a fact that the FreePad offers a turbo functionality. This makes it easy for you to perform rapid-fire maneuvers in games such a Star Fox, or other shooters.
The left analog stick seemed a little bit more sensitive to me than an original GameCube controller. That made precise shooting in games like Resident Evil 4 a little bit of a challenge, however, this is something I feel like with extended play time I can adapt to. The range was never an issue for me, I never left the room that I was playing my GameCube in.
Why it RoX:
- Wireless control for the Nintendo GameCube
- Available in midnight black or indigo to match your system
- Very reasonable price
- Turbo functionality
- Controller and dongle come pre-paired to each other
- No teeny tiny screw to hold the battery door on
What could be improved?
- The plastics feel somewhat slippery in the hand
- The face buttons and analog sticks are all slightly smaller than the original GameCubes
- The left analog stick felt a little overly sensitive in precise shooters
- No spice Orange?
Should you buy one?
Considering that it's about half the price of what you can find a decent Wavebird for online, the Cirka FreePad does an okay job. It will not replace your Wavebird if you have one, however, if you need a player two, player three, or player four controller, you may want to consider it. I really did appreciate the turbo functionality, and even though they were smaller than the original equipment the buttons worked great throughout all of my gameplay. I never felt any additional lag or latency built in through the controller, so the responsiveness was very good. For the money, you may want to give the FreePad from Cirka more than just a passing glance.