Released in 2002, the WaveBird, designed for the Nintendo GameCube, was Nintendo's first official wireless controller. At a time when wireless technology wasn’t yet standard in video gaming, it marked a turning point by offering a cable-free experience with remarkable reliability.

The WaveBird retains the design of the classic GameCube controller. It's slightly heavier and thicker than the wired version, as it houses two AA batteries in the back along with a radio module.

The controller operates via radio frequency (RF), giving it a range of 6 to 10 meters — much more stable and efficient than the infrared technology used in other wireless controllers of the era. It requires a receiver plugged into one of the console’s controller ports.

As with any small accessory, the RF receiver has one notable flaw: it gets lost! Or, more seriously, it can break — which is understandable after 23 years of use. And like many retro gaming accessories, it’s hard to find an original... or at least not without paying a hefty price.

Fortunately, a homebrew creator named Greg from LaserBear might make things easier by offering his own version of the RF receiver for sale. Compatible with all WaveBird controllers, this new receiver supports all firmware versions released for the controller.

There’s no channel wheel here to select one of the six channels and avoid interference: a simple pairing button handles synchronization. Just press it, then hold X and Y on the WaveBird until the connection is established.

The project is open source and available here. As for the device itself, it’s available for purchase at $25 on LaserBear's website.

Source: Retrorgb
Images: LaserBear