In actual fact, we're technically a little inaccurate in calling the T-Wireless a Classic Controller replacement, as Thrustmaster's offering does not jack into the Wiimote for its wireless communication. Rather, it relies upon a dongle that plugs into the Wii's GameCube controller ports, which really makes the T-Wireless a Wavebird alternative. In practice however, Wavebirds are pretty impossible to find new these days, so in our minds the T-Wireless is the only thing going if you aren't into the Wii Classic Controller.
In terms of specs, The T-Wireless is a pretty viable option in that it includes features neither the Wavebird nor Classic Controller possess. Unlike the Wavebird, the T-Wireless has rumble motors (which can be disabled via a switch to save batteries), and a more traditional Dual Shock-meets-Xbox Duke design that some gamers (including me) prefer to the GameCube control layout. The T-Wireless doesn't need the Wiimote dangling off to the side on a cord, unlike the Wii Classic Controller's arrangement that we think is a hassle unless you invest in Nyko's Classic Controller Grip. The only big design downside to the T-Wireless is the fact that it requires a dongle hanging out of the Wii's GameCube ports. Thrustmaster includes stick-on Velcro pads that can secure the dongle to the side of the Wii, good for peeps that like things buttoned down. It's also molded in white plastic that isn't terribly out of keeping with the Wii. Though the effect does detract a bit from the Wii's clean lines, we tend to care more about convenience while playing games than what our console looks like.
In hand the T-Wireless feels like a very small controller, in part because it is. Proportionally it's significantly smaller than an Xbox 360 controller and consequently people with bigger hands must adjust their grip, positioning the T-Wireless' prongs in the palms of their hands rather than gripping their middle. It's not really uncomfortable or awkward, just different. Though the T-Wireless' shell is small, an interesting point that we were surprised to discover is that Thrustmaster apparently mirrored the Wii Classic Controller in terms of the spacing between the analog sticks and location of the D-pad and buttons. Save for the Classic Controller's A button that strays off to the far right, the two controllers' buttons are almost identically spaced. As such, the Classic Controller only feels larger due to its peanut shaped shell.
Buttons on the T-Wireless feel pretty good and make solid connections. The action buttons are a bit softer than those of the Classic Controller but certainly aren't squishy or inaccurate. The T-Wireless' four shoulder buttons are actually a lot firmer than the Classic's squishy bumpers, and we think their two-over-two layout is more useful than the Classic's four-in-a-row arrangement. The T-Wireless' analog sticks stand on shorter stalks than the Classic's, and consequently feel a bit stiffer. Thrustmaster does away with Nintendo's octagonal cutout around the sticks, which allows them to move quite a bit more smoothly when at the extreme of their input.
The Classic Controller sports Nintendo's patented + D-pad, which is hard to find fault with in older games. The T-Wireless does it's best to match it via a fatter + that can apparently skirt Nintendo's patents. Like Nintendo's design, the T-Wireless' D-pad button rises at its corners comfortably to provide grip and tactile sensation. It may not the same as what we grew up with, but the T-Wireless' D-pad isn't squishy, and wasn't bothering us in the Virtual Console titles we used for testing.
A little small in Dan Iverson's hands.
The T-Wireless sports some extra features the Classic Controller does not, including turbo and slow modes, which are occasionally useful depending on the classic title you're playing. It also features a mapping ability that, aided by an LED indicator light, makes it fairly easy to remap button assignments if a game doesn't allow that ability naturally. As we mentioned before, the T-Wireless has rumble motors that can be disabled to save the charge on the three AAA batteries that power it. When not in use, owners need to turn the controller off via a switch, which is mildly annoying, but not the end of the world.
Thrustmaster's T-Wireless NW gamepad for Wii carries a $19.99 MSRP, which is the same as Nintendo's Classic Controller. Despite the fact that the T-Wireless feels small in our hands, given a choice between the two controllers, we think we'd go with Thrustmaster's offering. The fact that the Classic must be tethered to the Wiimote is obnoxious, and we're not personal fans of Nintendo style analog sticks or the shoulder button arrangement on the Classic Controller. Peeps that love these Nintendo style components should stick with the first-party, but more open minded gamers will likely enjoy playing their Virtual Console titles with a truly wireless controller.