Get a grip: Nintendo reveals Wii 'Classic Controller Pro'
by JC Fletcher 
{ Feb 26th 2009 at 3:00AM } 
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]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Junho @ Feb 26th 2009 3:04AM
I wish Classic Controller had vibration.
JXCgunrunna @ Feb 26th 2009 3:13AM
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.
SoulBlade @ Feb 26th 2009 8:34AM
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?
baby sea tuna @ Feb 26th 2009 8:47AM
It's not wireless? You've got to be shitting me.
samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Feb 26th 2009 9:00AM
Is it really THAT much of a hassle to set the Wiimote down next to you while you play..?
T @ Feb 26th 2009 10:16AM
Uh...it IS wireless. That cord plugs into the Wii Remote. You know...just like EVERY OTHER ATTACHMENT TO DATE?
JXCgunrunna @ Feb 26th 2009 10:22AM
@ 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.
samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Feb 26th 2009 11:49AM
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.
Quattro @ Feb 26th 2009 3:12AM
Must've taken them a while to invent this new controller.
ill trooper @ Feb 26th 2009 3:20AM
Why so wired? Otherwise, I like that ~isht~!
joe @ Feb 26th 2009 3:31AM
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?
Evan @ Feb 26th 2009 8:56AM
I like to think it was a weird impossible lesbian pregnancy. That would be HOT.
warioman64 @ Feb 26th 2009 3:45AM
Yes! More Nintendo stuff to spend money on unnecessarily!
Foetoid @ Feb 26th 2009 4:06AM
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.
el serpiente @ Feb 26th 2009 10:22AM
Really? All that just from a picture of what looks like a really crap wired version of a dual shock?
I want to smoke what you are smoking.
iofthestorm @ Feb 26th 2009 4:08AM
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.
tkAshur @ Feb 26th 2009 4:17AM
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!
tkAshur @ Feb 26th 2009 4:21AM
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...
Sean Aaron @ Feb 26th 2009 4:30AM
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.
samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Feb 26th 2009 9:02AM
Tatsunoko vs Capcom uses the extra shoulder buttons.
SKI @ Feb 26th 2009 10:39AM
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.
R @ Feb 26th 2009 4:32AM
Still wired?
Then I am still sticking to my Nyko Wing.
Spartan @ Feb 26th 2009 4:48AM
One does not see the point in this.
One is not impressed.
Nigeria @ Feb 26th 2009 4:54AM
They keep the awkward analogue stick placement?
xFenixKnightx @ Feb 26th 2009 8:51AM
If they would have switched it up and made it wireless it would be WIN! But alas, it is FAIL!
mongoos32 @ Feb 26th 2009 4:21PM
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.
Roddie @ Feb 26th 2009 5:17AM
PlayStation games on Virtual Console = CONFIRMED.
Megadanxzero @ Feb 26th 2009 5:18AM
They should call it Classic Controller: Slightly less shit edition
Analogue sticks are still wrong though
Wolblade @ Feb 26th 2009 5:50AM
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.
Ryan Hamilton @ Feb 26th 2009 6:13AM
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?
Sean Aaron @ Feb 26th 2009 6:29AM
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?
Neo Asuma @ Feb 26th 2009 6:30AM
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.
Lee @ Feb 26th 2009 6:56AM
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.
time @ Feb 26th 2009 7:19AM
That looks much more comfortable than the current classic controller. I'll probably pick one up.
AwesomeTown @ Feb 26th 2009 7:26AM
Much better. But I just want a gamecube controller with an analog joystick in place of that yellow c one, and appropriate face buttons.
samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Feb 26th 2009 9:05AM
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?
AwesomeTown @ Feb 26th 2009 10:09AM
Oooo. That's perfect. Now I need to spend more money.
AwesomeTown @ Feb 26th 2009 10:10AM
I'm not well versed in importing. Is this ok with a north american wii?
samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Feb 26th 2009 11:51AM
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)
AwesomeTown @ Feb 26th 2009 12:04PM
Thanks, Samfish!
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Feb 26th 2009 7:43AM
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
Insight @ Feb 26th 2009 8:04AM
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.
Josh @ Feb 26th 2009 9:43AM
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).
samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Feb 26th 2009 11:53AM
Tatsunoko vs Capcom.
Mr Khan @ Feb 26th 2009 8:28AM
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
Feba @ Feb 26th 2009 8:30AM
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.
Matt B @ Feb 26th 2009 9:02AM
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.
sea @ Feb 26th 2009 9:05AM
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.
Kevin @ Feb 26th 2009 9:41AM
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.
Rootbeer @ Feb 26th 2009 10:13AM
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.