Rumor: Wii U controller redesign leaked

Images of an apparently revised Wii U controller has been leaked from a game developer, giving us a potential look at the final hardware.

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This will be Nintendo's last E3 to show off the Wii U before its planned launch this fall. Images of an apparently leaked photo from a TT Games employee shows off a few key changes to the controller from the version we previously saw last year. The new design came from a (now deleted) TT Games employee's tweet, reported by Nintendo Gamer. Some notable changes include revised analog pads instead of the circle pads in the previous version, and the Start and Select buttons having changed position. The source also speculates that the charger looks similar to the one used for the 3DS. It seems likely that Nintendo will show the finished hardware at E3, along with whatever games it has on the slate. We'll call this a rumor since it's not officially from Nintendo, but it certainly looks legitimate and we wouldn't be surprised to see it materialize in the finished product. For the sake of comparison, check out the new and old shots below:

Wii U controller E3 2011 press photo

Wii U controller 2012 leak

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  • reply
    May 21, 2012 11:00 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Rumor: Wii U controller redesign leaked.

    Images of an apparently revised Wii U controller has been leaked from a game developer, giving us a potential look at the final hardware.

    • reply
      May 21, 2012 3:59 PM

      Someone has now lost their job

    • reply
      May 21, 2012 4:04 PM

      [deleted]

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        May 21, 2012 5:58 PM

        I think it just depends on implementation. I can see new gameplay possiblities with it. I know for Colonial Marines, they mentioned making the controller screen the motion tracker. Imagine playing DX3HR with the hacking mini game all touch based on the controller, while keeping an eye out for guards, making sure you don't get caught while you access the terminal. It could definitely add some tension to games like that.

        It's a neat idea just like motion controls. What will make or break it are developers. Are they doing to utilize it properly. I thought the Wii mote was a brilliant idea, but I found that many developers didn't really think of ways to properly immerse gamers through it's use. Much like some games have Kinect functions that seem tacked on. It just takes the right people with the right ideas to be able to come out with a great product.

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          May 22, 2012 12:24 AM

          In very specific situations like that, yeah, it may add some immersion/tension.

          But if I were a developer I would probably just design my game around the wiimote, since those will be compatible too.

          Let's face it, the Wiimote wasn't the revolution most of us thought it would be. It added to the experience in most nintendo games, most notably in Skyward Sword, but in most other scenarios it was wholly unnecessary. If nintendo is going to rely on the make the controller do more things strategy, they're not going to be able to hang.

          Their console is going to need to bring something for the traditional player. All the casual players bought their Wii for the gimmicky party games and soon their Wii's were collecting dust. They're not going to forget that. Besides, they have smart phones now, with lots of cheap gimmicky games to pass time with.

          So Nintendo has to realize that they will need to keep up with Microsoft and Sony with multimedia integration. Consoles of the future will be the primary entertainment device. They made a really good move by fully implementing digital distribution.

          Maybe they should develop an infrastructure to allow people to upload media from their portable devices, so consumers can effortlessly share video and pictures with others on their TV's. Apple probably wouldn't go for it, but I'm sure Google and everybody else would.

          I don't see dedicated gaming consoles themselves lasting another 15 years. If the latest Ipads can play 3d games with HD graphics, it can't be long before most devices we hook up to our TV's can, too. Hope nintendo realizes that. I think the industry as a whole benefits from Nintendo's presence on the scene.

          /pointless rant

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        May 22, 2012 1:17 AM

        not sure, but if they could implement the system navigation into the controller that would be pretty slick, or maybe something as simple as a touchscreen remote / keyboard.

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        May 22, 2012 6:15 AM

        Wonder how much extra controller will cost

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      May 21, 2012 10:26 PM

      they basicly only change the place where the joysticks are, thats not a major re-design.

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      May 22, 2012 12:14 AM

      It even has a button for shacking!

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      May 22, 2012 1:16 AM

      probably a smart idea to move the start / select buttons to the side. not sure i really care about the placement of the analog sticks though. it certainly looks like it would feel better though.

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      May 22, 2012 1:59 AM

      MEGATON
      GODLIKE

      Many Many people are very happy right now!

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      May 22, 2012 2:00 AM

      [deleted]

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        May 22, 2012 2:07 AM

        It just keeps getting better and better!

        We have sticks!

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      May 22, 2012 3:16 AM

      So it looks almost exactly like the E3 video. Is this a big deal because its still the same terrible design?

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      May 22, 2012 3:51 AM

      [deleted]

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        May 22, 2012 3:59 AM

        Yes because the Wii brand/style has not really worked out for them. They totally did not sell more than PS3/360 combined and should instead follow the desires of Strid3rtheGreat.

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      May 22, 2012 4:55 AM

      Take a look at this guys:
      http://shrani.si/f/2F/jo/3wyDp8O3/matthewstewartttwiiu.jpg

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      May 22, 2012 4:59 AM

      [deleted]

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      May 22, 2012 7:02 AM

      so i guess the analogs are for show

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      May 24, 2012 3:30 PM

      No suprises that the Wiii U we had seen previously could have changed before it's actual launch. what I actually want to see from the Wii U most are a new Zelda, Pikmin, Mario Kart and a pokemon game similar to those on the 3ds. All of those could have been released on the Wii tbh so my real point is I'll be getting the Wii U because of Nintendos first party games not the hardware.

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