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Nintendo: No plans for Classic Controller Pro in US

Publisher confirms redesign for Virtual Console-friendly gamepad is not currently scheduled for release stateside.

Last week, Nintendo quietly slipped onto its official Japanese Web site the first details on the Classic Controller Pro (pictured). Unfortunately, the reason for Nintendo's lack of noise on the new peripheral is that the publisher currently has no plans to release the Classic Controller Pro in the US.

It was nice while it lasted...

It was nice while it lasted...

"At this time, we do not have any plans to launch the Classic Controller Pro in the United States," a Nintendo representative succinctly confirmed for GameSpot. The Nintendo rep provided no explanation for the company's decision and did not comment on regions other than the US.

A redux of the more-traditional gamepad primarily used for Virtual Console games, the Classic Controller Pro features a number of aesthetic and ergonomic tweaks over its original iteration. Namely, the ZL and ZR shoulder buttons have been moved behind the existing L and R top buttons in a manner similar to Sony's Dual Shock line of controllers. Also calling up images of the PlayStation gamepad, the Pro features protruding hand grips. Lastly, the Wii Remote connection cord now extends from the top of the controller instead of from the bottom.

The Classic Controller Pro is expected to be released in Japan this summer. A price point has not yet been revealed.

116 Comments

  • superfakerbros

    Posted Sep 25, 2009 5:48 pm GMT

    Maybe they'll release it in US later on...I hope because I would really want
    this for Brawl,MKW,and other games.

  • Big_Evil666

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 9:24 pm GMT

    what a rip!

  • UltimateXShadow

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 7:40 pm GMT

    Is Nintendo's decision possibly influenced by that Anascape lawsuit from a few years ago?

    Either way, this is sad news for me.

  • rattamierda

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 6:22 am GMT

    ROPULAR ANGELCAGE, your are right, dead riging its an old game, but for another console, the fact is that i dont like using a NGC with new controls for the wii. And right angelcage, rattamierda in spanish la palabra se traduce como el excremento sino el comportamiento de alguien atravesado es un expresion netamente colombiana, ¿¿¿estamos??? so thats what you were looking for??

  • PandaBear86

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 1:36 am GMT

    I hate Nintendo's "father knows best" kind of talk. They act like as if they know what is best for everyone despite what people really think. Delaying the DSi for countries apart from Japan, now this controller that I want. Now that Nintendo is dominating this gen (as far as sales charts go), prepare for more of this crap.

  • xdeiri

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 12:07 am GMT

    who cares

  • gameking5000

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 9:39 pm GMT

    Good thing I'm not in the U.S, so I may be able to purchase it if they release it here

  • tawagivercetti

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 8:27 pm GMT

    theres a place called the internet that you can like import games/accesorries
    proud importer since 1990

  • maxgil2

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 7:40 pm GMT

    Dumb move...ah well import for me.

  • HyruleanLink

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 1:53 pm GMT

    Too bad. I was looking forward to the updated controller. Nintendo would have had something.

  • Justinge3

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 1:22 pm GMT

    Ya calssic controller PRO with new colors sould be on US, or im leaving mothers basement and going to live in japan to enjoy my new pair of classics hehe

  • Foggel

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 12:58 pm GMT

    brendanhunt1: Well, microsoft favors you guys ("NXE"... yeah. for american residents), so Nintendo throws the rest of the world a bone. Yay.

  • Samus_rules

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 11:55 am GMT

    Damn right now if that plugs into the GC port I'm getting one. I lost my GC controller =(

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 11:46 am GMT

    so the rest of the world gets it

  • Shtinky

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 11:28 am GMT

    Nintendo should of designed the absolute utmost perfect controller for playing SSB:Brawl, then leave the current classic controller as it is, since that's the most nostalgic for playing Snes games (and maybe change a few things about the old CC to avoid the lawsuit). The controller they should of made (as someone said) should of been dubbed "Wavebird II". It would be white, and possibly something like this: http://tinyurl.com/bulsc (with a slot for the Wiimote to go in to, to power it), instead of having a cord.

  • DrKill09

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 11:05 am GMT

    Looks nearly the same. Regardless, couldn't you just import?

  • phudabulah

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 10:59 am GMT

    The original was a horrible controller and this one is no different.

  • fennec_fox

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 10:21 am GMT

    Strange move... I personally would have rather preferred a 'WaveBird II", that would plug into a GC controller port, have built-in rumble feature and (possibly) a tiny mic for some of the SEGA VC games... This to me is rather useless - I play all my VC games with a GC WaveBird, and am mighty happy about it.

  • phase4illini

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 10:11 am GMT

    I'm having a hard time with the fact that Nintendo is basically selling something I already own.

    How about a few legitimate features that would make the purchase of the Pro actually worth the money that I've already once spent on the classic. I don't know, say true wireless that doesn't require a cord, or maybe a rechargeable Li-ion battery.

    As it stands this is simply a way of fleecing customers.

  • FarmFreshDX

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 10:05 am GMT

    The cord coming out the top is even worse than coming out the bottom. With the bottom you can put the Wiimote on your lap or something. With the top, it'll either get in your way or be stuck around the back.

  • Get_Shorty

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 9:57 am GMT

    They don't want to get sued for infringing on Sony's controller design here in the US, that's probably why they won't release here.

  • djmmjd764

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 9:53 am GMT

    Who cares?

  • Gamingcucumber

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 9:47 am GMT

    Haven't we outgrown this whole "regional" thingy by now? It's annoying, especially considering that the PAL regions usually gets the shortest stick.

  • AngelCage-2

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 9:45 am GMT

    robx360
    ... However there is really nothing for the hardcore gamer (talking about the wii). I will stick with my 360. I'm sure many PS3 peeps feel the same way. I;m not going to hate on the Wii or PS3. .-.-.-..-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

    Eh? and since when the PS3 is a ginmick toy for little kids only and with only a few real games, with busted graphics, sound and controls?

    Come on, keeping saying the old line: "PS3 have no games" is dumb by now. Yes, 360 have more games, but 360 had a whole year head start... is clear the it HAVE to have more games than the PS3

  • redskinStu

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 9:38 am GMT

    I guess everybody is going to have to find some other reason to go on living.

  • dragonbattousai

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 9:37 am GMT

    I like the Classic Controller as is. If one thing needed changes I would say they need to have the two analogs shorten since it feels pretty high on my thumb than what I am use to.

  • robx360

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 9:28 am GMT

    I don't think Nintendo copied from Sony. One could argue that Sony may have copied from the SNES. In the end who really cares. Most people are talking about Nintendo's crappy Wii remote. I am happy for Nintendo. However there is really nothing for the hardcore gamer. I will stick with my 360. I'm sure many PS3 peeps feel the same way. I;m not going to hate on the Wii or PS3. In the end there all video game consoles. Even though they all try and be more than that.

  • oscar_mateo

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 9:00 am GMT

    They are the ones who would lost.

  • Ospov

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 8:43 am GMT

    wouldn't have bought it anyway

  • otanikun

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 8:40 am GMT

    Oh well, it's an expected loss, but it's not a huge one

  • Mr_Tweedy

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 8:38 am GMT

    Who cares?

  • Shtinky

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 8:37 am GMT

    Nintendo goes full circle and copies Sony's controller, what has the world come to? And don't say they didn't LOOK AT THAT thing!! Same exact positioning of the analogs and D pad, the shoulder BUTTONS not triggers (confirmed by IGN) are in the same position and shape (lower one bigger than top one). The grips as well are positioned like the dual shock. On topic: the classic controller is fine as it is, and this isn't needed.

  • zaveline

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 8:15 am GMT

    But Seriously i Really Want a new Resident Evil Game on Wii Or A New Kid Icarus Or Kingdom Hearts that would Be Awesome and Season 2 Of Strong Bad

  • zaveline

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 8:13 am GMT

    is it me or the wii is getting worse this that looks alot like a PS3 Controller Rip-off (and no i am not a sony Fan boy) but i hope wii will come to its senses soon i really want a new Zelda Or Mario Game but im happy With Rock Band 2 And Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition

  • teknicz

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 8:11 am GMT

    The Classic Controller is my favorite controller, hands down. It just feels so right.

    I'm sure the Pro version will come to the US sooner or later.

  • Inconnux

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 8:10 am GMT

    Personally I don't like console controllers, so I wouldn't bother with it... for fighting games I just use a GC controller. For the rest the Wii remote is far superior (next best thing to a mouse/keyboard). If they really wanted to innovate they would create a mouse/keyboard that could be used for FPS games.

    They are just testing this in the Japanese market to see if it sells, if it does I would expect to see it in North America.

  • jazilla

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 8:09 am GMT

    nintendo is king again. who knew?

  • jadefury27

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 8:06 am GMT

    eh... no big deal. just find it on amazon following it's release.

  • Stonetowerghost

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 7:49 am GMT

    definitely b/c the classic controller has already been banned in the US. If Ninty wins the appeal to keep selling it we'll prolly see it stateside.

  • ropumar

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 7:28 am GMT

    rattamierda@
    Dead rising for the wii, is not only a old game with only new controls, but a worse game than the original.

  • AngelCage-2

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 7:24 am GMT

    @ rattamierda

    errr.... you know that dead rising IS actually an old game with new controls for wii rigth?

    on another thing... your nickname... you know what "Mierda" means in spanish did you?

  • rattamierda

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 7:16 am GMT

    This control looks nice, but i dont care if the control will be launched only in japan, I AM WAITING FOR REAL GOOD GAMES FOR THE WII (thanks capcom for dead rising, and i still waiting for fatal frame) no studip old games with new controls, whats that!!! pikmin new control!!!, mario tennis!!! come on nintendo your mario galaxy, mario strickers charged, mario kart wii, super smash bross brawl and metroid prime rocks, but i still waiting for games as the games for xbox 360 or ps3

  • Servieux

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 7:05 am GMT

    meh, figures Japan would get the better loot. at least it's not a coloured wii.

  • tidyspidey

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 6:59 am GMT

    da chub - all the companies copy each other in some way.... none of them are true pioneers across the board.

    You get a good idea that sells, and everyone will inevitably want a piece - that's the way of the world

  • da_chub

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 6:40 am GMT

    guys, nintendo isnt the company that copies everyone. That is microsoft and PS. N64 brings analog, PS copies. Wii does motion, everyone else follows. i dont like the current classic controler, so i dont mind a new design.

  • AngelCage-2

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 6:25 am GMT

    DualShock Wii?

    Come on nintendo be a little original, is just a white dualshock2. No thanks, keep the crappy stuff away from me.

  • xbox4life76

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 6:16 am GMT

    Oh well, it's just a controller, no biggie for me...

  • CamiKitten

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 6:06 am GMT

    Well this is a little disappointing. I love my old GC controllers, but the cords are too short now, with the way I have my gaming set up. Well mebbie this won't be set in stone and they change their minds. I just could really use something to make me blow the dust off my Wii. I haven't touched it since the second Tales of Symphonia.

  • jrmet1999

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 6:05 am GMT

    I could buy it on ebay or amazon japan!

  • jrmet1999

    Posted Mar 3, 2009 6:04 am GMT

    I could buy it on ebay or amazon japan!

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