E3 2006: Wii shell controller revealed

Wii News | For traditional and Virtual Console games.

The first image of the long promised Wii 'traditional controller' shell has been revealed on Nintendo Japan's website, and it's pretty much as expected.

The picture speaks for itself, so without further ado:

And here it is. Where does the remote go?

The site also lists the following features of the controller:

a, b, X, Y, L, R, ZR and ZL buttons (the L and R buttons are analog)
Cross pad
L and R analog sticks
Minus (-)/Select button
Home button
Plus (+)/Start button

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25 Comments

sonicwired

6 years ago

Exactly as most of us assumed it would look.

thebigm

6 years ago

sonicwired wrote

Exactly as most of us assumed it would look.

Yep, which is a good thing.

Qbert

6 years ago

Agreed. I'm glad they went for the 4 button diamond layout.

838 La

6 years ago

Not bad, looks abit fat, but I'm sure is anything but.

DancesInUnderwear

6 years ago

SNEStacular.

Not too shabby.

David

6 years ago

I don't like that the sticks are that close together, but I suppose it's mostly for old school stuff (virtual console), so you'll only be using the left one most of the time. The SNES shape is great though.

Also, I wonder if Gamecube controllers still be used on Wii?

Also, it's quite a confusing bunch of controllers really - Wii-mote, nunchuck, Gamecube controller, and this? I've said for years that multiple controllers are the way to go on a console for maximum options, but in some ways it may be best for Nintendo to hold off on some of them, so the 'new gamers' they want don't get confused!

realitybites

6 years ago

I agree David it may confuse the public. Specific controllers for specific games are ok (dance mats, buzzers, guitar frets) but a completely different gaming controller to play games ahhh I'm not sure it is going to be easy to pull off.

Nice looking controller though and certainly will allow backward compatibility for SNES games.

The big question is do people really want to play SNES games on TV when they been rehashed on the DS and GBA? The gameboy adapter for the GC was a huge flop (and I purchased one).

The Plague

6 years ago

Why is it wired? It certainly doesn't need to be attached to the nunchaku. Where is the wire going? And if this is only going to be used in virtual console games and not for new ones, it doesn't need to attach to the Wiimote at all, does it?

admeister

6 years ago

I like the look of it, good design!

Sin Ogaris

6 years ago

Looks cool, brings back SNES gaming goodness, and that's fine by me.

ObsoletE

6 years ago

it's probably wired to the wii-mote. uses the wii-mote as the transmitter i mean.

nice design, love the stick positions, something everyone (except David) seems to have glossed over, considering it's apparently such a big deal on the PS controllers.

arbok

6 years ago

i hope its wireless by the time it comes out!

Infested Jibbs

6 years ago

How fragile is thing gunna be though.Like, it's hard to tell from a front on pic but is the wii mote supposed to 'dock' with this shell?If so, hows it gunna feel having a separate piece attached to the back.The last thing you want is the wii feeling 'loose' as you grip the controller or the whole mote un-hooking and falling out during an intense firefight.

I dunno, bit weird.Odd theyv'e gone back to using select and start again, and even a home button, very......htpc like.

How much would it cost nintendo to make 6(or more) different colours of the shell, wii mote, nunchuka and console?Different colours means more choice but usually increased production costs.

Kick_Ass_Jess

6 years ago

it looks pretty good. very similar to the playstation controllers but i guess it would be pretty hard to design another one in a different style. still the wii looks pretty good and i love the blue little juttign out of the console don't know what the hell it is but looks liek somethign out of starwars.

k1dcharm

6 years ago

Now, this is more like it. A traditional game play style controller.

ZNMS

6 years ago

Now, that's a normal standard game controller, perfect for playing all those classic Nintendo, Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64 titles..

Jellyfish

6 years ago

Looks ok, but if I get a Wii I'll stay with my Gamecube controller. Those stick positions cause way too much trouble with my hands (cramps, strains etc).

renegadesx

6 years ago

Looks cross between a SNES and a Dual shock, which is fine but id reccomend cube controller for cube and N64 games. Imagine if they re-released Katamari Damacy for the Wii though!

Eyce

6 years ago

I guess this basically shows where the controller goes.

Jim Dash

6 years ago

It looks very chunky, but proper for all those old school games. God, I can't wait!

Oh, and you can use Gamecube controllers with the Wii.

tullyano7

6 years ago

more detailed info and changed design:
Virtual console demo stations were on hand at E3. According to the representative on hand, as of now, the controller will not be packaged with the system itself, citing the fact that not all players will use the Virtual Console. He did admit that this is subject to change.

We also grabbed a photo of the back of the controller.

Three interesting things to note.

The shoulder buttons appeared to be analog. They had significant give but none of the games on display made use of them in any non-digital way.

There is a mysterious clip on the back of it which points to the ability to snap the classic controller in or on something. There was no evidence to say that the actual remote would go there. When questioned, the representative said, "It's a secret."

Lastly, the representative also confirmed that it is in fact wired, and plugs into the same plug on the remote that the nunchuck plugs into. He elaborated saying, "So it's wired and wireless at the same time." When asked where we would put the remote, he responded with, "I don't know. It could easily rest in your lap."

Second Update: 5/10/2006 A Nintendo representative also confirmed that, as evidenced by the above photo, the classic controller only has one small button on top (as opposed to the two small buttons in previous photos). He said that this was the final design "for now".

troublemaker

6 years ago

I don't mind it, though I'm not sure how keen I am with the cord facing toward you when you hold it.

I assume it plugs into the Wii-mote so you must play with it on your lap?

Crono

6 years ago

I'll probably get one of these controllers for Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger (if they are available). Those will probably be the only virtual console games I play.

Bitchacho

6 years ago

http://www.gamespot.com/features/6146540/index.html

"A top panel opens to reveal memory and GameCube ports."

There you, go. You should be able to play with the gamecube controller.

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