Official Nintendo White Classic Gamecube Controller

Someone asked me about my Gamecube controller that I was using and couldn't remember where I got it from. I had to go through my Ebay and Amazon purchase history to find out I bought this back in 2013. I had gone through so many of the original GC controllers and even the newer ones that came out the with new Smash Bros games before I found this one. I don't really use my controller for Smash anymore, but I find myself using this controller even to this day whenever I can. 13 Years later and still no issue. I don't leave many amazon reviews, but figured I can recommend this.

With the arrival of Smash Bros 4 Wii U and the Gamecube controller adapter I found myself needing another Gamecube controller due to 13 long years of heavy usage, especially through Smash Bros Melee and Brawl. This controller is exactly what you could need and expect; it is an official controller exactly matching my others but I had never seen a solid white one before. I found the white to be very poetic as the Gamecube has come and gone and is ancient by gaming standards so the white conveys old age. I was extremely hesitant to open the packaging knowing that I may never see a pristine unopened Gamecube controller box ever again but when I mustered the will to carefully remove it, I was in awe. With all my other controllers polished perfectly smooth from the countless hours of use, to hold one again in a pristine and virgin condition for the first time in over a decade was both bizarre and breath taking. The sticks were firm and responsive as were the buttons and triggers; it was as if I was gazing at freshly fallen snow that had yet to be disturbed and was as crisp as ever. The mild grain on the plastic was so unfamiliar as my other controllers had been rendered smooth years ago, I found myself handling the fresh new controller as if it were an artifact from an era lost to time. This controller, I suppose, represents one last hurrah for the Gamecube and though there are many new types of controllers for the Wii U and Smash Brothers, this one has the most personal meaning. I found myself hooking up my old Gamecube to revisit some of my favorites from yesteryear and was able to go back to a seemingly simpler time.The controller itself handles very well. Solid build, sturdy buttons, it has the same manufacturing as the previous runs controllers so I expect this one to last many years into the future as my other controllers already have. The stunningly white cord is a great variation from the black cord found on my other copies and the cord is even a few feet longer like the Smash Bros edition recently released. If you are familiar with the Gamecube controller as I am, you will find no difficulty picking this one up and letting your muscle memory do the rest. Ignore the JAPAN-ONLY labels, the controller works perfectly fine with my American Gamecube, Wii, Wii U, and PC adapter.I definitely recommend this controller for people looking for another controller for Smash Bros 4 or any Gamecube games, or to wow your friends with the ability to hold a Gamecube controller still in perfect condition, or even if you are someone with the inkling to have a pristine controller for your collection. This controller was one of the best things I bought this year due to functionality and sentimental reasons; I hope you find yourself enjoying your own as much as I did.

- Imported from Japan (But Still Good) -When I first saw the box I could not find the Official Nintendo Seal anywhere on the box. All official Nintendo products have this seal(in North America). With closer inspection I noticed that the whole outside of the box was all written in Japanese. The instruction booklet was completely in Japanese also. Then I noticed one small patch of English on the back of the box which states "FOR SALE AND USE IN JAPAN ONLY". That answered my question on why the box and instructions were all in Japanese. I also learned that the Official Nintendo Seal is not used in Japan by Nintendo.- Detailed Review -So yes after all this controller is an official Nintendo controller made for Japan. The controller works, looks, and functions like the original controllers sold for the GameCube. The only difference is the cord is longer and it is white in color. I don't know if there is an official Nintendo of America version of this, I don't believe so because I have not seen it in stores or any other website. I do hope that Nintendo of America will eventually officially sell this product in the USA in the near future.As stated before the manual is completely in Japanese and there is no English version included. That is not much of a problem because it is easy to use, all you have to do is plug it in and start playing. As far as warranties go on this I have no clue because it is all in Japanese and I am using it outside of the only country it was intended for. Nevertheless it is still a great product and you are most likely not going to need a warranty. My advice is to pay the cash for this controller because they work and will keep working. I have had 2 off-brand controllers fail on me and another on its way to failing. While all that was going on I had 2 original Official Brand Nintendo controllers that worked flawlessly, still work today, and I expect them to last very far into the future. I plan on buying another one of these so I have four official Nintendo controllers that I know will work and last for a long time.- Final Thoughts -If you need a good controller for your GameCube or to play GameCube games on the Wii get this one. Even with the Japan issue I am still giving it five stars. I don't care that it is from Japan, that is Amazon's problem and I wanted to let anyone reading this know it will probably be a Japan version so you are not surprised like I was.PLEASE BE ADVISED: MAKE SURE THE SELLER YOU ARE BUYING FROM IS AMAZON DIRECTLY OR AT LEAST FULFILLED BY AMAZON. YOU WILL PROBABLY GET RIPPED OFF (KNOCK OFF, USED, ORIGINAL CONTROLLER NOT THE NEW EDITION, ETC) IF YOU BUY FROM ANOTHER NO-NAME SELLER.