No Go for Classic Controller Pro? So?!

This little bad boy apparently won't make it to the U.S.

Nintendo of Japan announced on February 27 that a new Classic Controller is in the works for the Wii.  When that news hit the United States, I couldn’t help but think of the renewed hope I had for Nintendo and its “hardcore” fanbase.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Classic Controller, it’s an add-on to the Wii Remote that players can  be used as a primary controller for many of the retro games available for play on the Virtual Console.  Developers and publishers, mainly Nintendo, have also used the controller as an alternative to the Wii’s niche (or in this case, gimmicky) motion-sensitive controls, giving gamers a more natural feel while playing.

The problem with the Classic Controller lies within its flat design.  While its small size helps, it still isn’t that easy to reach for the centered analog sticks when playing, making its flat design slightly uncomfortable.  Let’s call this annoying phenomenon “colliding thumbs.”

Pictures of the new Classic Controller Pro revealed more of a molded shell-like design, making it a much more comfortable controller to hold.  With that, the button layout remained sleek–think a PlayStation controller button layout with the GameCube controller’s comfort factor.

While its ludicrous to believe that this new controller will cause more third party publishers to release games that are actually worth playing, it does indicate a sign that Nintendo will be taking the “hardcore” fanbase more seriously.  Afterall, comfortably pressing buttons was the way gaming first took the scene, and it would further bring Nintendo “back to its roots.”  Besides, Nintendo is gonna release a remake of Punch-Out!! in May.

But we can all give it a ho-hum for now, because Nintendo recently told GameSpot that there are currently no plans to bring this controller to the States.  But will that really stop them?  They brought us Fire Emblem, Pokemon, and even the DSi is coming pretty early.  But since the Nintendo’s accessories as of late are region free, what’s to stop people from importing them?

About This Author: Danreb Victorio

Danreb Victorio is SmashPad's longest tenured staff member and has been writing for the publication since its existence as Gaming-Nation, Inside Gamer Online, Amped IGO, Amped News, and Gamer 2.0. Though SmashPad has gone through many branding changes, Danreb has remained the same--he pushes out content while also improving his craft with every piece that gets published. As a Co-Managing Editor, Danreb, along with Chris Selogy, is in charge of assigning, maintaining, and providing SmashPad's editorial content. Danreb graduated with a B.S. in journalism at San Jose State University, where he worked with the campus newspaper and magazine. In addition to SmashPad, you can read his more blunt work on Yelp.com.