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E3: Nintendo reveals Wii U controllers

Published on 4th June 2012 by Joe Martin

At E3 Nintendo has revealed the Wii U Pro Controller, which resembles an Xbox 360 pad.

In a video announcement released just before E3 2012 starts in LA, Nintendo has revealed new controllers for the upcoming Wii U console.

The first of the two reveals is an evolution of the already demonstrated Wii U GamePad, which features a touchscreen in the centre of the device.

The main tweak has been that the circle thumb pads have been upgraded to analogue sticks which allow more control, though handgrips and buttons have also been moved to make it more ergonomic.

Additionally, there's a new TV Control button which moves the main TV display to the GamePad's touchscreen and vice versa. A NFC reader has also been added, allowing the controller to scan cards and barcodes.

A second controller, which Nintendo calls the Wii U Pro Controller, has been unveiled too and suspiciously resembles Microsoft's Xbox 360 controller - albeit with a different thumbstick layout.

The Pro Controller lacks a touchscreen, obviously, as well as the NFC reader. It does feature in-built motion sensors, however.

Nintendo has confirmed that the Wiimote, Nunchuck and Balance Board peripherals can all be used with the Wii U as well.

Unveiled at E3 last year, Nintendo's Wii U has drawn attention from some unusual developers so far and, according to Nintendo, represents a return to hardcore gaming for the company.

Let us know your thoughts in the forums.

10 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

alpaca 4th June 2012, 10:19

The link to the 'unusual developers' points to a pasword-protected part of the website...

Fix it, I'm curious!

Tangster 4th June 2012, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpaca
The link to the 'unusual developers' points to a pasword-protected part of the website...

Fix it, I'm curious!

All the links do!

CardJoe 4th June 2012, 10:31

Nothing to see here...

(Fixed)

Horizon 4th June 2012, 11:51

well that solves that mystery, if the ps3 and 360 controller had an illegitimate child.

Neogumbercules 4th June 2012, 14:14

Looks like they are officially bringing back the start and select buttons. They still have + and - symbols though.

They should have just done the full rip-off though and put the right analog stick where the face buttons are and vice/versa. So used to using the 360 and PS3 setup where the buttons are above the analog stick.

GoodBytes 4th June 2012, 15:09

They also updated the WiiU controller:
-> 2 analogue sticks, instead of the thumbsticks
-> Clickable analogue sticks
-> Better location of buttons
-> It LOOKS LIKE (from the video) that they implement a capacitive touch screen, instead of the "press to do contact" type of screen.. but not too sure about it.
-> Added a NFC reader
-> Can be used as your TV remote.

http://cdn.pocket-lint.com/images/GjvF/wii-u-controller-wii-u-gamepad-4.jpg

Eiffie 4th June 2012, 17:33

I for one really can't stand the Bumper + Trigger buttons up top. I wish they just had two buttons and no Triggers at all. No, I'm sorry, I don't get the feeling of firing a gun when I pull them. As for people who want to be able to adjust things with pressure, I liked how the old Gamecube controllers had two clicks to the shoulder buttons. You knew exactly when you were gonna have to press harder to break into the second click of the button. Those things also were built like WW2 Panzer tanks.

Sloth 4th June 2012, 20:22

Somewhat strange design they've gone with. Moving both joysticks to be above their respective button cluster is an odd move, I have to wonder if they did it just to be different. Whatever the reason, I'm very wary of it. It's going against a lot of gaming instinct to move your right thumb down to press buttons rathern than up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eiffie
I for one really can't stand the Bumper + Trigger buttons up top. I wish they just had two buttons and no Triggers at all. No, I'm sorry, I don't get the feeling of firing a gun when I pull them. As for people who want to be able to adjust things with pressure, I liked how the old Gamecube controllers had two clicks to the shoulder buttons. You knew exactly when you were gonna have to press harder to break into the second click of the button. Those things also were built like WW2 Panzer tanks.

And the worst part is that many games use the bumper anyway, even to shoot. R1's history as "Fire" is just too lengthy.

The one thing I've found triggers to be really good for is driving games for gas and brakes since it's easy to get different inputs than with a button, but fans will often buy wheels and pedals anyway so it's not really a good reason to change the whole controller.

GoodBytes 4th June 2012, 20:36

The layout of this controller, is the same as the Wii U tablet one.
Reporters said it was easy to use, and comfortable.

Aracos 6th June 2012, 03:54

An eye for an eye I guess, MS basically ripped off some of the functionality of the GamePad so they rip off the 360 design. Oh well.