The cable's pretty short for GC (2-2.5m?).

If that would be inconvenient with how your wii's set up, go wireless. If not, go rumble.

It's all about the Wavebird for me. Comfort-wise, it feels incredible, and the GC chord is ridiculously short. Plus, playing Brawl won't be at its peak unless you have a GC controller.

i would go with gc. im just used to it with melee.

It is hardware compatibility, if you're interested. The Wii CPU and GPU are faster-clocked versions of the GC core type (so there's no additional cost either). They lock the components into the lower speed and functionality when a GC game is put in. This provides perfect compatibility, not emulation. It also means you can't hack into the Wii with a GC disk because the GC game "knows" it is only in a Gamecube.

1- As far as I know, all games work perfectly (it's hardware). LAN and online play don't work though. You need a GC memory card to save games (they're dirt cheap if you buy them used nowadays)
2- Yes, they do.

get a wavebird, but hurry since Nintendo is not producing those anymore.

Wavebird it is then. Just changed my order at dvdcrave for it. Now all I have is to wait until they get Wii Play in stock so the whole order can be shipped to me.

Thank you all for the helpful replies.

I don't have any VC games, but a few of my friends who do tell me they eventually bought classic controllers, mostly because the default controls for many games were horrible, and there was no way to change them.

The Gamecube controller is the only way to play GC games, so I recommend you get a few if you're interested, but the classic is pretty much the way to go with older stuff.

I'd definitely recommend a Wavebird, you don't even need to buy rechargables for those things, any batteries last absolutely ages in it :)

It's a very well built sturdy controller too (tell me a Nintendo product that isn't sturdy!) The lack of rumble does suck for some games, but given how stupidly short the GC controller chords are, you'll forgive it quite easily for the wireless freedom.

Basically, stock up on at least one wired gamecube controller, and a Wavebird.

I've found they're rubbish for all VC games except the N64 titles. Mario 64 on a GC controller feels so natural you wouldn't believe it, the same goes for most other N64 titles too.

But yeah, besides all that haha, the Classic Controllers are a worthwhile investment too :)

Will get only a Wavebird at start. Then maybe I'll pickup a wired GC controller or a classic controller.