Classic Controller Pro appears at E3, unbeknownst to Nintendo

Well, here's a curious one. Those eagle-eyed folks at Joystiq caught sight of a pair of Classic Controller Pros for the Wii at Nintendo's E3 booth, which wouldn't be so unusual if not for the fact that it still hasn't been announced for release outside of Japan. Adding to the intrigue, the Nintendo reps at the booth apparently know nothing (or weren't talking) about a planned release, and there's no official word to speak of on the E3 press site either. Yet the controllers were there for all too see, which leads Joystiq to rightly speculate that a release 'round here is now decidedly more likely than not.

[miko34 @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:51PM]

And I bet it's still not compatible with GameCube discs that I put in my Wii.
At least the analog sticks look like they won't hit each other.
That's what R & D gets ya...

[Sandlord @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:55PM]

Nintendo is still trying to pimp their Wii-tarded console as your answer to everything (I swear I saw an artice about using a special Wii remote with sensors embedded to perform pregnancy and ovulation hormone tests), so making it actually do something *well* seems to be a minor priority.

[Brawny @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:16PM]

That's because the Gamecube mode of the Wii is hardware emulation. It thinks it's a Gamecube for all intents and purposes, thus since the Gamecube didn't have Bluetooth, neither does the Wii in Gamecube mode.

I'd much rather be able to have the Gamecube completely backwards compatible than the weird software emulation "works/doesn't work" tables that go with the 360 and PS3.

Not to mention no controller will ever be more comfortable than the Gamecube one anyway.

[Eric @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:10PM]

I can guarantee it's not. Until Nintendo allows the Wii remote to control GameCube games, this won't work either. It's just the old Classic Controller in a different shell.

[ADVENT @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:26PM]

If this did work with gc disks it would be perfect.

[Joseph @ Jun 3rd 2009 8:05PM]

@brawny-
That is bad logic because SNES emulators can make use of USB joysticks and keyboard and SNES didnt have USB joysticks and KBs.

[SONYEDDIE @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:49PM]

is this as close as they could get to the Playstation's controller without being sued?

[telepheedian @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:54PM]

@Joseph: No, you're wrong. The Wii has all of the necessary hardware to run as a bit-for-bit Gamecube. To run SNES games, the Wii emulates the SNES. It's like the difference between downgrading your system's OS and running another OS in a VM.

[cg006 @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:51PM]

Looks Sweet!

[GRAMMAR POLICE @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:20PM]

*sweet

[AoF-Squall @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:52PM]

I see a cable coming out the back... Why get a new classic controller if it's not wireless? That's the only flaw in the current one.

[postmastersteve @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:31PM]

I completely agree! My heart palpitated a bit when I saw the headline and image, but all my dreams were dashed when I noticed that little white serpent of Satan slithering behind it, which has been the bane of my retro gaming experience the past 2+ years... :[

[Pumapayam @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:52PM]

Playstation creates a black stick-like motion controller similar to the Wii Remote and Nintendo improves their classic controller to look like a white DualShock.

Seems only fair.

[TheAllmightyDollarama @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:10PM]

Dualshock?

More like DualShite!

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:17PM]

Wow I was thinking the same thing theb I realized that they've (sony) had been working on Motion Control LONG BEFORE ANYONE ELSE. Oh Nintendon't, are you still that mad at Sony over the Whole Console fiasco of the early 90's? Just let it go, controller envy is a serious problem. Directly ripping off their design is another. The sony "WANDS" are different in that they have more controls, they give off light and the have multiple accelerometers in them, also the PSeye is the integral part of it. Sony Revolutionized with the Original Eye Toy, This will be the next BIG THING. Sure 360 owners will be able to flap their arms and legs to their new cam but we been doing that for over a Decade on PLAYSTATION.


Those that call names/flame followed the wrong Games Company, by doing so YOU admit it.

[Game_playa @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:08PM]

DUDE. Chill.

[MetallicAfan @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:25PM]

Sony suing Nintendo soon?

[Cory @ Jun 5th 2009 11:41AM]

Wait, you do know that Sony's PSX controller was a ripoff of the SNES controller, right? The PSX controller is the SNES controller verbatim with handles and two triggers on each side instead of one.

[JerJer @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:53PM]

that thing does NOT look fun to hold :(

[crashcarstar @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:53PM]

Nintendo is releasing another controller/add-on? You don't say...

[superhobo @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:56PM]

Oh...wow....i mean....wow....the mulletiness of your avatar...is...is...overwhelming.

[Bizam! @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:36PM]

I'll second that, Bravo!

[Tarnation @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:53PM]

Is this an add on to the classic or a new controller?

[superhobo @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:55PM]

Nice.

[Verythrax @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:01PM]

Or Nintendo is simply showing-off.

C'mon, it's being there in the stand doesn't really mean anything.

[Uncontrol @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:02PM]

I'm playing Majora's Mask on Gamecube right now, and I seriously can't deal with this style of analog stick anymore. I need the concave one from the 360. My fingers keep slipping off this thing.

[Almo @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:15PM]

Try bending them.

[Joseph @ Jun 3rd 2009 8:06PM]

try gutting a 360 controller and puting the classic controller guts in there.

[Sean Jackson @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:03PM]

oi

[surge.gamer @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:05PM]

But does it have any worthwhile games to play beyond Zelda?

[Eric @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:09PM]

I'm not terribly thrilled with the current Classic Controller, but I don't hate it either. I wonder if this one is better. I was never a big fan of the Super NES controller, but the GameCube controller was pretty good.

[Hey Ya @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:14PM]

Why doesn't Nintendo stop jacking us around, and just remake the old controllers with wireless built in?I'd pay thirty to forty bucks a pop for those.

This thing just looks like the same old crap they've been pushing since they released the Wii.

Give the people what they want, Nintendo. We want to be able to play these games as they were originally played, and a lot of that has to do with the controller we used to play them.

[Nomi @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:15PM]

Is the Wii really that much cheaper if you keep having to buy accessories? Not to mention one game accessories like Wii Fit.

[Nomi @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:18PM]

Edit: Wii Balance Board.

[Quix @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:29PM]

Wired? WIRED?????

The Wavebird is still my favorite controller ever, on any platform. Sad that Nintendo killed it - and sadder still that they refuse to release a new version for Wii. I'm tired of the Wavebird receivers poking from the top of my Wii like tumors...

BRING BACK THE WAVEBIRD!!!!!

[postmastersteve @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:35PM]

... bloody, oozing tumors. You're right-on. If this were 'Pro' it would be wireless and it would work for all VC titles & GameCube discs, too.

[liamf555 @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:57PM]

Looks like a classic controller with a nunchuck strapped on either end.

[Greg2k @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:58PM]

DO. NOT. SELL. IT.

It's only the old Classic Controller with two prongs, nothing else. Is there rumble? No. Is it wireless? No. Does it secure to the Wiimote via the latches at the back? No. Can you play Gamecube games with it? No.

Come on Nintendo, don't slap "Pro" over this shite when it's clearly your worst effort at gaming interfaces since the Wii Wheel. We're ok with you making money by catering to the "maybe" gamers, but please don't treat us like crap.

[Andrew Timson @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:50PM]

There's also changes to the shoulder buttons...?

[Cody @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:07PM]

I'll just stick to a gamecube controller. I don't feel like spending the extra money.

[M @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:54PM]

Dear Nintendo,

I own 4 Wavebirds.

The end.

[Joseph @ Jun 3rd 2009 8:08PM]

and they're wireless and work on GC games and dont make my hand cramp.

[James Dumoulin @ Jun 4th 2009 7:03AM]

Kinda looks like the sony boomerang controler

[ToastedMoose420 @ Aug 17th 2009 10:59PM]

I will have one shipped to me