Classic Controller Pro releasing with Monster Hunter Tri in North America

by JC Fletcher on Jan 25th 2010 10:00AM

Here's some awesome news: according to a press release sent out by Nintendo, Monster Hunter Tri will be available in North America this April -- which means that Capcom essentially delayed it as little as possible. Here's some more awesome news: it'll be available in a bundle with the Classic Controller Pro, the upgraded version of the Classic Controller that was previously only available in Japan. The set will cost $59.99.

Even if you're not interested in Monster Hunter, you'll be able to get one separately, in black or white, for the same $19.99 price Nintendo charges for the regular Classic Controller.

The Pro might not do anything different than the original, but it's laid out a bit more comfortably, with the analog sticks spread out further and the shoulder buttons moved out of the Classic's ridiculous single-file configuration. It's no coincidence, given Monster Hunter's PS2 origins, that this new controller is essentially identical in layout to a Dual Shock.

Monster Hunter Tri/Classic Controller bundle

Source

Tags: bundle, capcom, classic-controller, classic-controller-pro, monster-hunter-3, monster-hunter-tri, Nintendo, rps, Wii

Reader Comments (91)

Thanks but no thanks, I'll keep my WaveBird.

Before you dismiss it, consider that the Classic Controller is geared towards Classic games that the Wavebird is often Ill-equipped to handle. I know from firsthand experience that the Classic is far preferable for Super Metroid.

If it's like the original classic controller it plugs into the Wiimote.

I imported one of the Classic Controller Pros a few months ago. I think it is great. I can hardly stand playing some games with the Wavebird, the analogs feel weird and I don't really like the button layout. What is the deal with that Z button? Also, it seems no matter what channel I set them to, the Wavebirds seem to get interference every once and awhile. The new Classic Pro is one of the most comfortable controllers of this generation, in my opinion. And it is not really 'wired', unless you count the short cord that connects to your Wii remote.

Haha, oops, I thought this said "weird piece of shit." Ah, well, as Vidikron points out, it probably connects to the Wii Remote.

My wife made me get a Classic Controller so she could play Super Mario World, as the whole "run and jump" process is kinda difficult on the Gamecube layout. I also much prefer to play Mario Kart Wii with the Classic Controller.

Not sure I'll pick this up for the time being, but it does look pretty cool.

All I want to know is how did Nintendo make a better DualShock than Sony?

"I also much prefer to play Mario Kart Wii with the Classic Controller."

Aww man you are missing out if you aren't playing Mario Kart Wii with the nunchuck + Wiimote set up!

@Cody

What would make you start off the morning Trolling like that? Let's just be honest here, it's a good first step towards a workable traditional input device from Nintendo. However, it's just a classic controller with extra shoulder buttons and more heft. The funniest part of this tragic comedy is that it will improve functionality of most future titles that support it. I've played Monster Hunter Tri (import) at my buddies house and the controls using the wii mote aren't a good fit at all.

The big problem I have is why not make it to where this controller can connect wirelessly itself without a wii mote? Obvious answer is to make a consumer own a wii mote for each player using one of these controllers.

The original classic controller was basically without usability but it was still a better option for games that supported it IMO. Now, they've blrought it where it should of been from the start (Nintendo theme this gen) but it's still a LONG ways away from being as good as the DS3. Even comparing them is lol worthy. I get that you are just following edicts but as Keyshawn Johnson would say: C'Mon Man.

I really want this classic controller to replace my old classic controller and the Fisher Price My First Controller, also known as the GCN controller.

I imported this as well, and it's fabulous. Very light, and the button layout is awesome. If it had rumble (vibration), I'd even be so bold to say it was on par with the DualShock.

It's great to use for SNES games, unless, of course, you happened to be one of those chosen few--like myself--to import the Super Famicom Classic Controller from Japan's Club Nintendo. (Ridiculously expensive, but well worth it for many VC games.)

Do they have to 'copy' the color too?

I'm not sure what you're asking–the article says it's available in both black and white.

Just like the Wii itself.

If you're insinuating that it's like the dualshock, then: Does the Dualshock need to copy faux-waggle controls too?

It also doesn't have the cable idiotically coming out of the side of the controller facing the player.

I always wondered why they did that.

Because they never saw the Dreamcast pad to realize how silly it was.

They were copying the Dreamcast controller, of course!

"the upgraded version of the Classic Controller that was previously only available in Japan."

They are already available here in the UK ^_^

Thank you WIkipedia Willy
Now get out!

Gimmick controller is such a failure that they release another standard controller, the waggle wand is a failure on a professional game design level and they know it.

They released this controller in a move to help net Capcom's third party support

Nintendo just can't win, huh? You people will bitch about how they never help third parties, and then when they do, you're all "hah they need to replace that stupid controller."

The Wii remote is almost as applicable as a regular controller, there are very few genres that straight-up reject it, and if they can make the platform yet more diverse, why is this a bad thing?

The list of games that recommend gamecube/cc grows bigger by the day, why do you think that is?

I would like to see this fabled list. Aside from Smash Bros, this, and Samurai Warrior 3, most of the Wii's big games continue to have the remote as their only, or at least intended, mode of control.

"The list of games that recommend gamecube/cc grows bigger by the day, why do you think that is?"

Uhh what? What is this growing "list of games" you are referring to? VC games?

The Wiimote is good for racing games and decent for FPS (providing the control is done well like Metroid). However, the Wiimote isn't the best controller for most genres to be honest. Games like Dragonball Z are nearly impossible to play unless you have a classic controller. For that matter, many adventure/fightings games are impossible to play because of the motion mechanics needed to replace the non-existant face buttons.

But it's all personal opinion. While I appreciate yours, Mr. Khan, you never seem to realize that the Wii has any fault. Every post I see of yours it's always blatantly praising it. I mean, I like my PS3 but I'll be the first to point out what's wrong with it if the topic is about it.

I agree totally with Mr Khan, With one exception: New Super Mario Bros Wii shouldn't have had waggle. The B-trigger went unused in that game when it could have been doing the things that Waggle did. But games like Mario Party, Zelda and Metroid have all seen great use of the Wii Remote. Really, it's the ability to aim at the screen that is the best part of the Remote. However, I'll also agree with Orion that certain genres don't lend themselves well to point control. We'll never see Metal Gear Solid or Street fighter on a Wii Remote; there's simply too few buttons.

Although I have to say, watching people try to mimic Dragonball Z moves makes for an excellent party game; so maybe that particular series wouldn't be my first example!

You sound very angry. Problems?

Yeah geez Khan chill out. Mario could have done without waggle, the spin-jump is on a hair trigger and I've died from it going off when I barely move my hands more than once.

@Orion:

I think there's a difference between acknowledging faults and calling it a failure, as internetjesus did.

The Wii remote and nunchuk has 8 buttons to the 360's 10 buttons. 1 joystick to the 360's 2, but IR often replaces the 2nd joystick. Both have d pads. So, we're talking an advantage of 2 buttons for a traditional controller. I know that can make a difference in games, but I don't it as significantly different. Frankly, I see layout of the buttons as more significantly different than the number of buttons.

Keep in mind that Monster Hunter 3 supports the Wii Remote & Nunchuk as well as the classic controller. To Khan's point, Capcom and Nintendo offer gamers choices, yet some see that as "failure."

The Wii remote is perfect for games designed with it in mind. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories does it perfectly. But, the remote also keeps me from playing the Wii frequently. The remote just feels tacked on in most games. The worst I've played is the Tales of Symphonia sequel. It's just a basic controller that was split in two.

I would play more Wii games if the Classic was more widely supported.

@ LaughingTarget: Yeah, the Symphonia 2 controls were weird for me at first, altrough later I got used to it. I think is the fact that RPGs dont benefit much from motion controls... I just hope that Tales of Graces comes with the option of use the GCN controller or the classic controller

@guttertalk

"The Wii remote and nunchuk has 8 buttons to the 360's 10 buttons. "

The 360 controller actually has 12 buttons, two of which are analog triggers. The two you're likely not including are L3 and R3. These two are actually used quite often, especially in shooters.

Also, the Wiimote + Nunchuk may have 8 button, but not all 8 are easily accessible. For example, when using the Wiimote with the Nunchuck you hold the Wiimote like a TV remote. In this configuration buttons 1 and 2 are very difficult to reach and even the +/- buttons are manageable at best. It's really a terrible layout.

No, i'm well aware of their faults, Orion. What i try to do is stamp out the falsehoods that emerge, but i know full well what's wrong with the system, though most of them are problems with Nintendo rather than with the system itself (online attitudes, secrecy about releases, localization, etc.)

@vidikron:

That's why I said the layout might be the bigger issue. :)

You're right: I forgot about those analog triggers, because I don't use them that often.

I admit a bias--I think game controls are almost gratuitously complex. A button just for
"look at object"?

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/6/8/

Say what nasty things you will about the game, but I thought The Conduit's controls were well done. Jab the nunchuk for melee was easy and almost intuitive. Same for the gesture to throw a grenade and reload. And before anyone complains about the almost non-existent effort for these gestures, you don't have to make huge movements for them to work.

I'm a middle age gamer, and I'm find the 360 controller an ergonomic pain. I'm not ready to abandon it completely, but the reality is that the average gamer isn't a teenager. And I like that Nintendo is giving us control options.

Of course, if I get this bundle, I'll have to buy a new black Wii remote and nunchuk.

"And before anyone complains about the almost non-existent effort for these gestures, you don't have to make huge movements for them to work. "

Actually, I usually hear complaints that they're too sensitive or unreliable (sometimes a slight movement triggers the action and sometimes a big motion does nothing). You can see one such complaint above from lnternetjesus above.

Take your example with The Conduit. I read some reviews that stated trouble with grenades accidentally being thrown, sometimes resulting in the player's death.

I've also seen many people complain about the spin jump in NSMBW and it's an issue I've experienced myself on quite a few occasions. Even just adjusting my seating position while playing the game would sometimes trigger a spin jump and send me to my death. Since lives are plentiful it really doesn't matter much, but it's still annoying and completely unnecessary since that action could have been mapped to the unused trigger instead.

@vidikron:

Yet again why reviews are best left to gamers, not reviewers. :)

The Conduit allows you to set the nunchuk shake and Wiimote thrust sensitivity. Apparently whoever said it was too sensitive never bothered to read the manual and check out the setup options.

I can't speak to the NSMBW issue, partly because I haven't been able to play it much.

But I think the design lesson is that people have differences in how they play, so motion controls have to be configurable. Yet, even when they are (Conduit), people still miss it.

"Games like Dragonball Z are nearly impossible to play unless you have a classic controller."

So untrue...
It may be just based on preferences, but my gf and I have played COUNTLESS HOURS (more than SSBB) of DBZ: BT2 and DBZ: BT3 using the Wiimote+Nunchuk layout.

Heck, I've beaten people who even used the Classic Controller against me.
None of my attacks, combos, blocks, counters, or dragon-moves are hindered by it once I got used to it.

Once you get used to it, the Wiimote+Nunchuk combo for the DBZ games are the most fun to use (for the sake of hilarity, especially).

"I've also seen many people complain about the spin jump in NSMBW and it's an issue I've experienced myself on quite a few occasions. Even just adjusting my seating position while playing the game would sometimes trigger a spin jump and send me to my death. Since lives are plentiful it really doesn't matter much, but it's still annoying and completely unnecessary since that action could have been mapped to the unused trigger instead."

It's not THAT sensitive.
Obviously tilting your hand and waving your body into adjustment will cause a spin jump, but if the hand movement is slow or if you keep it from shaking as you move your body (move your body but not your hand position) it won't register at all.
It sounds hard when put into words, but it really isn't.

Heck, I move around in my seat a lot and it never registers as a spin jump for me. I think that idea's just exaggerated a bit.

Hopefully one step closer to them releasing the damn black Wii stateside.

"Hopefully one step closer to them releasing the damn Monster Hunter ramen stateside."

FIXED

http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/review-monster-hunter-3-ramen/

You guys are just jealous because you don't have WaveBirds :P

It works the same as the classic controller while using it with Wii games, except it's wireless.
You still need the wiimote in both cases, except with WaveBird you can put it aside while you play, even turn it off.

We get it. You have a wavebird. Whoopidido! Doesn't mean this isn't a damn fine controller that has a better layout for many games. I mean, have you ever tried to play Starfox 64 on a Wavebird controller or the original Classic Controller? The damn Z buttons alone on both are enough to make you want to scream.

I own 4 Wavebirds, and the Classic Controller Pro. After using the new Pro model, I will NEVER use the Wavebird / Gamecube controllers unless I am forced to. I hated the old model Classic controller, but the new Pro version is great. The button layout, shoulder buttons, analog sticks, and the grips are such an amazing improvement over what has previously been available. I can't wait to try out Monster Hunter Tri with the Pro.

The Wavebird / Gamecube controllers only have 2.5 shoulder buttons. The new Pro has 4, placed in the same positions as a PS controller. If any future games come out that utilize the additional buttons, that would suck for people stuck with older out of date peripherals.

"It works the same as the classic controller while using it with Wii games, except it's wireless."
First of all, it really doesn't. Work the same, I mean It technically does, sure, but in practice the different button placement will lead to a very different experience. Which leads me to my next point: a lot of games available on Wii aren't "Wii games;" There's all the different classic games on the Virtual Console that were made with a much more traditional button layout in mind. And, you know, a better D-pad than the Wavebird has.

WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird WaveBird

Hey look I'm Jak/Ratchet Avatar!

To be fair, the wavebird/GCN controller was a pretty nice gamepad. But then, I really like the layout of the 360 controller, which is pretty much just a GCN pad with some improvements. :)

Pros of the wavebird:
comfortable layout for games designed for it (using one analog stick, triggers, and minimalist face button use).
Clever face button layout (most games use a single face button predominantly, a second secondarily, and the other two as ancilliary buttons, which the GCN pad accomodates best).
Actual analog triggers (the DS2 didn't have these, and even the triggers on the DS3 feel sucky compared to the GCN pad)

Cons of the wavebird:
It only has one 'shoulder button' (would it be that hard to put one about the left trigger as well?)
The 'c' analog stick and dpad are a little hard to reach (but not as bad you guys make it sound)
The face button layout sucks for games not designed for it
No force feedback (wired controllers have this though)

In the end, the classic controller pro prob. isn't a bad investment if you play alot of VC games/ games like smash bros/monster hunter that are designed for a more traditional pad. But otherwise, a wavebird gets the job done just as well as anything else out there IMO.

no, the 360 controller is basically a smaller original xbox controller, which was a ripoff of the Dreamcast controller

Yeah, honestly, my wavebird is useless for what I wanted it for. Worthless for most virtual console games I own.

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Classic Controller Pro releasing with Monster Hunter Tri in North America

Monster Hunter Tri/Classic Controller bundle

Reader Comments (91)

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 10:04AM Shiaoran said

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 10:11AM Acosta02 said

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 10:11AM Vidikron said

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Posted: Jan 25th 2010 10:35AM ilduce620 said

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Posted: Jan 25th 2010 10:28AM Mr Khan said

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Posted: Jan 25th 2010 10:33AM Mr Khan said

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 10:36AM Co said

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 10:39AM HTCEVO said

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 10:46AM Acosta02 said

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 10:46AM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Jan 25th 2010 11:21AM guttertalk said

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 11:23AM LaughingTarget said

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 11:50AM Diodax said

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 12:10PM Vidikron said

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 1:30PM Mr Khan said

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 2:58PM guttertalk said

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