Controllers
The Game Boy Player allows for control either through a GameCube controller or a Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Advance SP hooked up with a GameCube-Game Boy Advance Cable. When using a Game Boy Advance, the buttons are identical, but due to the GameCube controller's different layout, there are two different mappings players can use. Also, at least one GameCube controller must be plugged in for access to the Game Boy Player's internal menu, which can be accessed by pressing the Z button.
All controllers, Game Boy Advances, and Game Boy Advance SPs connected to the GameCube are recognized as the same player. This allows a sort of co-op mode for games that don't normally have it (most likely this was not intended by Nintendo). Furthermore, allowing for multiple controllers recognized as the same player allows for simpler and more comfortable play of single system multiplayer Game Boy Advance games, such as those found in Mario Party Advance. This is in lieu of up to four players holding one Game Boy Advance unit.
In order to link other hardware, players are required to connect to the extension port on the Game Boy Player with the proper cable, which depends on whether the game was designed for Game Boy Advance or a Game Boy system released before the Game Boy Advance.
| GameCube Button | GBA Equivalent - Map One | GBA Equivalent - Map Two |
|---|---|---|
| Control Stick/Directional Pad | Directional Pad | Directional Pad |
| A/B Buttons | A/B Buttons | A/B Buttons |
| L/R Buttons | L/R Buttons | Select |
| X/Y Buttons | Select | L/R Buttons |
| Start Button | Start Button | Start Button |
| C Stick | Not Used | Directional Pad |
| Z Button | Open Menu | Open Menu |
Map One is closer to the Game Boy Advance's normal layout, while Map Two makes it easier to play with one hand and also allows some SNES rereleases to control more like they may have with the SNES controller, as they often had the Y button mapped to L and the X button mapped to R.
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