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Classic Controller

The Classic Controller connected to the Wii Remote.
Manufacturer	Nintendo
Type	Video game controller
Generation	Seventh generation era
Lifespan	November 19, 2006 August 1, 2009 (Pro)
Sound	Provided via Wii Remote
Input	2 × Analog sticks Digital D-pad 7 × Digital face buttons 2 × Digital shoulder buttons (4 × Pro) 2 × Analog shoulder buttons (None on Pro)
Connectivity	Accessory connector plug
Power	Provided via Wii Remote

The Classic Controller (クラシックコントローラ, Kurashikku Kontorōra) is a video game controller produced by Nintendo. It is used to play games on the Nintendo Wii video game console.

Classic Controller

The Classic Controller is plugged into the Wii Remote in order to be used. It contains slots on its backside, opened via a button at the top of the controller; the function of the slots was never officially clarified, but unofficially Nintendo of America employees explained that it was intended for use with an unreleased clip that could hold the Wii Remote on the back of the Classic Controller. Third-party gaming accessory manufacturer Nyko released a clip which attaches the Wii Remote to the Classic Controller via the locking slots on the bottom of the controller. In addition to a grip shell, the clip contains storage for the controllers three foot cable. The body of the Classic Controller measures 65.7 mm tall, 135.7 mm wide, and 26 mm thick. While the only color available for standard retail in most markets was white, a limited edition teal and gray version was released in tandem with Monster Hunter G in Japan in 2009, and in 2010, Sonic Colors was bundled with a blue version in Australia.

The Classic Controller has been discontinued due to the release of the Classic Controller Pro.

Classic Controller Pro

In early 2009, Nintendo announced the Classic Controller Pro which functions the same as the original Classic Controller with the exception of the shoulder buttons, which are now digital trigger-shaped buttons arranged vertically rather than horizontally. Physical changes include the ZL and ZR buttons, which are now full shoulder buttons, the addition of grips underneath the controller for addition stability, and analog sticks which are spaced farther apart than the original. The cord is positioned on top of the controller rather than the bottom, and the spring-loaded attachment slot underneath the original model was removed. The Pro version was first released to Japan in August 2009 in white and black versions. It was subsequently released to Europe and North American in November 2009 and April 2010, respectively (though only in black in Europe). The black version is available bundled with Monster Hunter Tri, Pro Evolution Soccer 2010, and SD Gundam Gashapon Wars. In addition to the standard colors, a black version with gold-colored artwork on the face was available bundled with Samurai Warriors 3 in Japan, and a completely gold-colored version is available bundled in the GoldenEye 007 Classic Edition.

Uses

Along with the Nintendo GameCube controller, the Classic Controller is one of the controllers required in order to play certain Virtual Console games (such as SNES or Nintendo 64 titles, which require more buttons than the Wii Remote). However, the Classic Controller cannot be used to play Nintendo GameCube games. The Classic Controller can be used with the Virtual Console as well as with certain Wii and WiiWare games. The Nintendo GameCube controller can be used instead of the Classic Controller for playing most Virtual Console games. When in the Wii Menu, the left analog stick takes control of the cursor when the Wii Remote is not pointed at the screen. The Classic Controller can navigate through the Message Board, settings menus, and Wii Shop Channel (the Nintendo Gamecube controller, however, cannot). It becomes inactive on all other channels, excluding Virtual Console games.

The Classic Controller's appearance is similar to the SNES controller, e.g., button placement, look and feel. It features two analog sticks, a D-pad, face buttons labeled "a", "b", "x" and "y", analog shoulder buttons labeled "L" and "R" and two "Z" buttons (labeled "ZL" and "ZR") next to the L and R buttons on the inside, respectively. It also has a set of "-", "HOME" and "+" buttons like those on the Wii Remote, with the - and + buttons labeled "Select" and "Start", respectively.

History

When the Wii Remote (then known as the "Revolution controller") was first revealed in September 2005, Nintendo had announced a controller "shell" which resembled a traditional game controller, often referred to as a "classic-style expansion controller." As described at the time, the Wii Remote would fit inside the shell, allowing gamers to play games using a traditional-style gamepad, while allowing use of the remote's motion sensing capability. According to Satoru Iwata, it would be meant for playing "the existing games, Virtual Console games, and multi-platform games."

In early demo's of the Wii's capabilities, then referred to as "The Revolution", the system was shown with two players competing in what appears to be Wii Sports with one player using a Classic Controller and another using two Wii Remotes at the same time. It is presumed that this cross functionality was dropped.

During E3 2006 Nintendo introduced the Classic Controller (model number RVL-006, previously RVL-005), which plugs into the Wii Remote via a cord in a similar fashion as the Nunchuk. It contains two analog sticks and two extra shoulder buttons: the ZL and ZR buttons, used to replicate the Z button found on the Nintendo GameCube controller. In contrast to previous description, the Classic Controller does not have the ability to house a Wii Remote. The overall configuration is similar to that of other major seventh generation console gamepads.

In November 2007, Nintendo listed a special Super Famicom Classic Controller as one of the choices for the free gift for 2007 Club Nintendo platinum members.

Legal issues

Anascape Ltd filed a lawsuit against Nintendo claiming that the Classic Controller and other Nintendo devices violated Anascape's "six degrees of freedom" interface device patent. In July 2008, the court ruled in favor of Anascape; Nintendo was ordered to stop selling the Classic Controller in the United States until further notice. Nintendo has exercised the right to continue selling the Classic Controller pending a verdict at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On April 13, 2010, Nintendo won the appeal, and the previous court decision was reversed.

See also

• List of Wii games that use the Classic Controller

References

1. Greenwald, Will (2006-12-07). "ZDNet Nintendo Wii Classic Controller Review & Comparison". CNET. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
2. Sklens, Mike (2006-05-10). "News Article: Wii 'Classic Controller' Revealed". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 2006-05-11.
3. "Mattew Wirgler's Blog entry featuring a mail response by a Nintendo of America's Employee talking about the Classic Controller clip". 2007-02-13. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
4. "IGN preview Nyko Wii classic Controller shell". IGN. 2007-02-23. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
5. "Wii の概要 コントローラ" (in Japanese). Nintendo Company, Ltd. Retrieved 2006-05-09.
6. Harris, Craig (2010-04-13). "Classic Controller Pro Impressions". IGN. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
7. Jenkins, David (2009-02-26). "Nintendo Reveals Revamped Classic Controller". Gamasutra. UBM TechWeb. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
8. Caoili, Eric (2009-06-04). "Black Wii, Red DSi Announced For Japan". Gamasutra. UBM TechWeb. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
9. Spencer (2009-10-20). "Black Wii Bundle, Classic Controller Pro Dated For Europe". Siliconera. MaxCDN. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
10. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/20176
11. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/04/01/gundam_classic_controller_bundle/
12. McElroy, Griffin (2010-08-11). "Goldeneye 007 Classic Edition includes gold Classic Controller Pro". Joystiq. AOL Inc. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
13. Gibson, Ellie (2005-09-16). "Jim Merrick Takes Control". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2006-05-09.
14. Satoru Iwata. "Tokyo Game Show 2005: TGS FORUM Keynote Speech". Archived from the original on 2006-03-07. Retrieved 2006-03-15.
15. Gamespot Staff (2010-08-27). "Revolution renamed Wii". Gamespot. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
16. Gantayat, Anoop (2007-11-15). "SNES Classic Controller for Wii". IGN. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
17. Decker, Susan (22 July 2008). "Nintendo Faces Ban on Some Wii, GameCube Controllers". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
18. "ANASCAPE, LTD. v. NINTENDO OF AMERICA INC". 13 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-27.

• Nintendo hardware
• Wii
• Game controllers