Nintendo Reveals Revamped Classic Controller

Nintendo’s Japanese website has revealed a new variant of the Wii’s Classic Controller repositioned shoulder buttons and new DualShock-style grips. Referred to as the Classic Controller Pro, the new peripheral is listed alongside the original Classic Controller and does not appear to be a replacement. Although the four shoulder pads are now laid out in a very similar manner to the DualShock, the new controller appears to offer no new functionality -- apparently, it just moves the "ZL" and "ZR" buttons so that they're in front of the main shoulder buttons, not next to them. Visually, the peripheral recalls the controller for the GameCube, suggesting that the new accessory might be intended as a classic option for Nintendo's New Play Control! series of updated GameCube titles, which feature graphical improvements and Wii Remote controls. The Classic Controller was originally released in order to support the Virtual Console with a more traditional button and controller layout suitable for all retro 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit console titles. It has also been supported by some retail titles, including Nintendo releases like Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The original Classic Controller uses a lead to connect to the Wii remote and the Classic Controller Pro appears to work in the same way. The website indicates a Japanese release date of summer 2009, but there is as yet no word on a Western release.