Topic: Nintendo Unveils New Classic Controller, the Classic Pro

[Kairon]

Nintendo's Japanese website reveals a new form factor for the Classic controller that takes it even further in the traditional direction.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=17822

 The classic controller has always been Nintendo's link to the past, a traditional input setup that's been supported in some Wii games, and necessary for many Virtual Console ones. Nintendo seems to believe that the controller's role is still an important one as their Japanese website has just revealed a new controller, the Classic Controller PRO.    

At first glance it's easy to see how the Classic Controller PRO strengthens ties with earlier gaming systems. The most visible addition to the controller are two prongs in the style of earlier controllers like the GameCube controller or Sony's DualShock line. Another change is that the Classic Controller PRO is thicker than the original Classic Controller and can thus support larger ZL and ZR buttons. These buttons used to be small, circular, and positioned in-line with the larger L and R shoulder buttons on the original Classic Controller. On the Classic Controller PRO, they are almost equal in size to the other shoulder buttons and are no longer situated so far towards the center of the controller.    

The Classic Controller PRO appears to still sport a wire, so it appears that the controller will still need to plug into a Wii Remote to operate. It is also not known whether this redesign will support rumble this time, or leave it out as the previous version did.    

It has no announced price, but it is slated for a summer release in Japan. There is no news yet on a release outside Nintendo's home country.

[Pale]

So they move the second triggers and add a grip? Color me confused.

At least I don't have to buy them I guess.

Can anyone even think of a single game that uses the second triggers? I can't.

[TJ Spyke]

Neither can I. The only reason I can think of for doing that is if they find a way to let us use those controllers for playing GameCube games.

[Dasmos]

It does look more comfortable for use with games that use the control sticks. I've always found them a little awkward with the normal Classic control.

[AV]

i already got the grips from nyko which are nice.  rumble would be killer add for me. Star Fox 64 needs rumble !~

[decoyman]

Pics or it didn't happen.

[Flames_of_chaos]

[Kairon]

i already got the grips from nyko which are nice.  rumble would be killer add for me. Star Fox 64 needs rumble !~

I wouldn't hold my breath for rumble. T_T

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

What the ****, Nintendo.

Are you adding PSX games to the Virtual Console, now?

[Chozo Ghost]

What the ****, Nintendo.

Are you adding PSX games to the Virtual Console, now?

Considering the way things are going, Nintendo might eventually buy Sony and then yes, all the old PS games might show up on VC.

[Ian Sane]

Nintendo really should start packing these things with the Wii itself.  You know why there are four triggers?  It isn't for the VC it's for Wii games.  That's also why they went with the dual-analog when they realistically could have just had an N64 controller for the VC.  The problem is because the classic controller is an extra accessory no one really uses it.  Third parties feel they have to use the remote for all Wii games but sometimes it makes no sense to.  So we get lame crap like waggle.  But the classic design remained a standard, and still does, for so long for a reason - because it's functional and practical.  If Nintendo included it with the Wii than maybe developers would feel that it's a realistic option to support it and use what controller makes sense for the game and not shoehorn everything into the remote regardless of whether it makes sense to or not.

[UltimatePartyBear]

Those shoulder buttons don't look very analog.  The way the plastic's shaped, you wouldn't be able to pull them very far.

I've got two Classic Controllers already.  I wouldn't upgrade unless they added rumble and it worked with N64 VC games.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

I have two as well.  I could buy some wing/prong shells, and that's good enough, RIGHT

[GoldenPhoenix]

I am getting a bit of deja vu with Ian's post back before the Wii came out. There is no need to include the classic controller, usually if a game is designed with more traditional controls they add classic controller functionality in addition to Wii-Mote support. It is no big deal.

[vudu]

Can anyone even think of a single game that uses the second triggers? I can't.

Doesn't the upcoming Monster Hunter 3 use Classic Controller as its primary control scheme?  Maybe this new controller is in preparation for it.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

I play a better game of Brawl on the WiiChuk setup than I did Melee with the GameCube controller.

I play a better game of RE4 on the Wii Edition than I did with the GameCube controller.

New Generation Gaming Wins.

[broodwars]

I'd love to try this new Classic Controller on GameCube games (just for the ease of having a wireless GameCube controller without destroying my only Wavebird), but oh wait...it doesn't recognize anything other than the GameCube controller when in GameCube mode.  Well, there goes that.

Yeah, unless they were planning on making this thing work for Dreamcast games or something (now that would be an interesting addition to the VC, though too large unless Nintendo implemented a real hard drive or whatnot), this is obviously intended to make the Classic Controller more user-friendly for Wii game usage.  I can't view the picture, but is the wire still sticking out of the bottom of the controller or is it sticking out of the top where it bloody belongs?

[ThePerm]

gamecube has 1 less button than n64..this solves the n64 problem. Its easier to port games because now they don't have to worry about reconfiguring the button setup. There were games on n64 that used every button. I like Chozo Ghosts idea on getting the ps lineup

[Jonnyboy117]

Do want!  I only have one CC and would like to have an extra.  This looks more comfortable for Geometry Wars, and I'm still hoping there will be another GW announced for Wii.  I also use the CC for Brawl... when I actually have someone to play against, that is.  :-(

[Jonnyboy117]

Yeah, unless they were planning on making this thing work for Dreamcast games or something (now that would be an interesting addition to the VC, though too large unless Nintendo implemented a real hard drive or whatnot)

Actually that's a very real possibility.  Most DC games didn't fill up the GD-ROM, and elements like movies and music can always be compressed.  If Hudson can do it with TurboCD, I'm sure there's a subset of Dreamcast games that could be mashed into a Virtual Console packet.  The emulation wouldn't be dramatically more intensive than N64.

Oh, and the wire comes out of the top!  WIN

[Yoshidious]

Do want!  I only have one CC and would like to have an extra.  This looks more comfortable for Geometry Wars, and I'm still hoping there will be another GW announced for Wii.  I also use the CC for Brawl... when I actually have someone to play against, that is.  :-(

Seconded! The sticks are a little too close together for my taste when playing Geometry Wars, so that additional spacing would be most welcome. 

[Kairon]

There's nothing wrong with wanting this, but I'm always flabberghasted when people say they do, especially "core" gamers. Oh well, I guess it just goes to show that stereotypes don't stick.

[Rize]

Actually that's a very real possibility.  Most DC games didn't fill up the GD-ROM, and elements like movies and music can always be compressed.  If Hudson can do it with TurboCD, I'm sure there's a subset of Dreamcast games that could be mashed into a Virtual Console packet.  The emulation wouldn't be dramatically more intensive than N64.

Ah, actually I have to disagree.  If the Wii could emulate a Dreamcast, it would be a very close thing.  I'm not at all certain that it could be done.  It would have to be a very efficient emulator.

[Jonnyboy117]

Well, can't you emulate Dreamcast games on the original Xbox?  Wii is certainly more powerful than that.

EDIT: No, you can't.  Dunno where I got that idea.  But a Dreamcast emulator called nullDC is available on PC and recently came out of beta.

[TheYoungerPlumber]

The PS2 emulates the PS1, and the 360 emulates the original Xbox, right? I could see the GC emulating the DreamCast, though it would certainly be difficult.