Get a grip: Nintendo reveals Wii 'Classic Controller Pro'

by JC Fletcher on Feb 26th 2009 3:00AM

Nintendo's Japanese site is now showing a new version of the dual-analog Classic Controller for Wii. The "Classic Controller Pro" replaces the original's tiny secondary shoulder buttons with a traditional Dual Shock style "two rows of buttons" set up, moves the two analog sticks out a bit from the center, and adds some hand grips. Hand grips are for pros.

Basically, if a Dual Shock and a Wii Classic Controller had a baby, it would be -- a disgusting thing to think about. But if someone were to design a video game controller that used elements of both of those controllers, it would be the Classic Controller Pro.

Nintendo plans a summer 2009 release for this controller, which should dovetail nicely with Monster Hunter 3 -- no doubt irritating Capcom, who is bundling a port of its predecessor, Monster Hunter G, with a special blue version of the original Classic. No pricing or information about a release outside of Japan is given.

[Via Kotaku; thanks, Face]

Source

Tags: classic-controller, classic-controller-pro, controllers, Nintendo, Wii

Reader Comments (55)

I wish Classic Controller had vibration.

Nintendo, listen very closely to what I am about to say:
Make these controllers wireless and anyone who wants to retire a few years early, can.

Yea my first thought on seeing it was "wtf? it's not wireless? pass."

I'm not sure why they're so averse to going wireless on the classics - what could technically prevent it?

It's not wireless? You've got to be shitting me.

Is it really THAT much of a hassle to set the Wiimote down next to you while you play..?

Uh...it IS wireless. That cord plugs into the Wii Remote. You know...just like EVERY OTHER ATTACHMENT TO DATE?

@ samfish

its not so much that i cant put it next to me as its Nintendo's outlook on gaming. I love the wii but there are little things that keep it from being played more than my Xbox. its not the games cuz nintendo makes as good as games as the rest of the best. its stuff like shitty online play. or not having a mic. or not having a standard wireless controller. If nintendo want to win back some of the "hardcore" fans and by that i mean 16 through 40 year olds, they will need to have these things for their next counsel.

I'll grant you the lousy online play, but they have a mic (I'm pretty sure you can plug a headset into WiiSpeak, too) and it DOES come with a standard wireless controller. Complaining about the CC's wire attachment is like complaining about the 360 headset's wire.

What "hardcore" gamers want (on messageboards, at least. I personally find it's different in the 'real world') is a new AAA game every week. Anything less than that and the game is crap.

Must've taken them a while to invent this new controller.

Why so wired? Otherwise, I like that ~isht~!

So if this is the offspring of a Dual Shock and Classic Controller, which one is the female? My initial inclination would be the Classic controller, but then again it's the one that has a Wii. Still, I can't seem to escape this idea in my head that the Dual Shock would probably rape the Classic Controller because let's face it, a more perfect mate for the classic controller would be something from the 6 face-button breed such as the N64 Controller or 6-button Sega Genesis Controller. I just don't see the Classic Controller willingly shacking up with the Dual Shock.

...

Am I taking this analogy too far?

I like to think it was a weird impossible lesbian pregnancy. That would be HOT.

Yes! More Nintendo stuff to spend money on unnecessarily!

Those who want to play VC games when they get their Wii later this year will be able to buy a much better controller to do so. Those like myself who are putting off buying a 2nd Classic Controller, will now wait for this one. It's a fantastic looking controller and day 1 purchase for me. This controller kinda semi-maybe-confirms my prediction that a Wii 2.0 HD will support GC/Saturn/Dreamcast games for VC download with a much bigger internal HDD. PLEASE LET IT BE SO.

It looks like it attaches to the back of the Classic Controller. That seems kind of cool, I guess. Retrofit your existing ones with ease and whatnot. But are there any games that even use the extra set of shoulder buttons? Actually, it can't just attach to the back because it doesn't seem to have the random ZR and ZL that the Classic controller has, or at least that's probably what the second shoulders are. Kind of weird. I have yet to find a game that uses those beyond games that just use them as Z. I think the grips are a pretty welcome addition, although really I kind of wish they would just make a bluetooth Wavebird and leave it at that.

Neat Nintendo...will this be as cheap? Will you be adding Gamecube backwards compatability around then so I don't have to use my worn down GC controllers? When will the storage solution come out? Cryin out loud, Nintenod, I need answers!

I just thought of two things after I posted...

Didn't Nintenod say they were done releasing new peripherals? I'd say this kinda counts as one...

And to counter my own thought...didn't Nintendo get sued for the design of their controller because someone else supposedly owned a patent for it? Well, I guess this rather than destroying them all...

I don't understand the point of this unless games are going to be released that use the extra shoulder buttons; no Nintendo console has four shoulder buttons, so what would they be for?

My Classic Controller gets used for SNES, Megadrive and Neo-Geo games on the VC and that's it; I don't see much point to this and I'll be surprised if it gets released outside of Japan a la the white Gamecube controller.

Tatsunoko vs Capcom uses the extra shoulder buttons.

The Classic Controller already has 4 shoulder buttons, but the two Z buttons are difficult to hit for most people (not me personally, but my sister complains). But if this thing has rumble, then day 1 purchase.

Still wired?

Then I am still sticking to my Nyko Wing.

One does not see the point in this.

One is not impressed.

They keep the awkward analogue stick placement?

If they would have switched it up and made it wireless it would be WIN! But alas, it is FAIL!

That was my first thought. If you're going to add in extra shoulder buttons (which I would assume help for Gamecube games) then move the control stick to the primary slot.

PlayStation games on Virtual Console = CONFIRMED.

They should call it Classic Controller: Slightly less shit edition

Analogue sticks are still wrong though

It seems alright.

I just hope they don't discontinue the original Classic Controller.

And why does the Japanese Nintendo site look so neater than ours (NA). It fits more with the DS and Wii than the American one.

You can actually see the outline of the classic Wii controller. Is it really a new controller or an attachment for the regular classic Wii controller?

Oops forgot about the Z button on the N64 controller (that's what I get for not giving a toss about the N64 games and forgetting the Classic actually has four buttons on the top edge!).

@Ryan, not sure why the line is there, but it's definitely not an add-on if you check out the picture. The sticks are further apart and the cord is coming out on the line separating the the shoulder button pairs -- possibly they're just re-using the Classic controller moulds or maybe it's to reduce the confusion about whether or not this is compatible with the same games?

I think it's a full controller, not an attachment. You know the z1 & z2 buttons that are on the current Classic Controller next to the shoulder buttons? If you notice, they aren't in the same section the PRO controller, and the wire for the controller is shown between the "seam" or outline of the controller, so it looks like the Classic Controller section and the other set of triggers and grips are all connected. I think the z1 and z2 buttons are the new shoulder buttons, just moved to the back.

It does look kinda strange though if you're not looking very closely.

I'd rather not.

I'd rather have an official N64 controller for Wii since. y'know. N64 games are more or less unplayable without it.

That looks much more comfortable than the current classic controller. I'll probably pick one up.

Much better. But I just want a gamecube controller with an analog joystick in place of that yellow c one, and appropriate face buttons.

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-113-77-m-49-en-15-hori+wii-70-33za-43-bs.html

I have this. It's nice and is exactly what you're looking for?

Oooo. That's perfect. Now I need to spend more money.

I'm not well versed in importing. Is this ok with a north american wii?

Yes. I bought mine when I was in Japan and it works find 'n' dandy with my US Wii.
...and while you're spending money at Play Asia, you should pick up Tatsunoko vs Capcom, as it is awesome (and even more fun than SFIV, imo)

Thanks, Samfish!

yea so if its still wired then I wont be buying it. Its not a big enough upgrade for me since I already have a Classic Controller

If its not compatible with Gamecube games, then _fuck that noise_.

I mean, it sure as hell looks like it would be better for Brawl and Tats, but otherwise, fuck it.

What's tats?

Also, this controller... I'm just not really seeing it's usefulness outside of, I assume, Monster Hunter (and other ex-PlayStation games).

Tatsunoko vs Capcom.

Being able to grip it further down like that might make the analogue sticks actually usable.

Probably give it a shot when it rolls around

personally, I would find it absolutely hilarious if someone started a bleem! for Wii; to get PS2 games running on it, naturally. Sony would be pissed if people started running, say, SOTC on Wii. Actually, I'd kinda like to be able to hold on to my few remaining PS2 games, and nix the console...

on a serious note, one must wonder why. Nintendo caving to pressure to make a more 'traditional' controller for core games? Making it easier to port games to Wii is the only reason I can think of for standardizing the controller like that.

Interesting, but not really for me. I do like the fact that the wire is coming out of the top instead of the bottom- I don't know who thought that was a good idea, but they need to be beaten with a rubber hose.

Looks pretty cool, but not worth my money since I already have a regular Classic Controller. The sticks on the original are difficult to use, especially in Nintendo 64 games, but I don't play enough of those on my Wii to bother with this.

I'll probably trade in one of my classics for this one. If it's good, then trade more. If not, I still have the originals.

Still no 3x2 face button configuration? I'll pass.

Mapping the C-buttons to the right stick only works well for some, not all, N64 games. And the 2x2 layout is awkward for Genesis controls, of both the 3-button and 6-button varieties.

This is a reasonable request I'm making. It's not like I'm asking for a full numeric keypad so I can play Intellivision/Colecovision/5200/Jaguar games or anything.

another nintendo peripheral? yawn

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Get a grip: Nintendo reveals Wii 'Classic Controller Pro'

Reader Comments (55)

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