Wii U tablet controller revised?

Nintendo may be changing up its design plans for the Wii U tablet controller. As reported by GamesRadar, a Traveller's Tales (Lego series) quality assurance tester tweeted a picture of a Wii U tablet controller this weekend, revealing Nintendo has made some notable changes to the device since gamers first saw it at the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo.

Most significantly, the image (at right) displays a Wii U controller with new analog sticks as opposed to the 3DS-style circle pads seen on the E3 prototype. Other alterations to the original design include a change in location of the Start and Select buttons. These buttons now are located on the right-hand side of the Wii U tablet controller. Additionally, the controller includes a small square on the left-hand side, which did not appear in the original version. Lastly, the new controller design contains Wii U branding.

As GamesRadar points out, it's possible some of these changes are specific to developers' console units. Whatever the case, Nintendo will offer answers soon. The company has previously stated it will have final Wii U hardware on hand for the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo, which kicks off early next month.

The official picture has since been yanked, and the user's Twitter account has been deleted entirely. A Nintendo representative told GameSpot, "We do not comment on rumors or speculation."