Classic Controller

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The Classic Controller is a video game controller produced by Nintendo. It is used to play games on the Wii video game console.

Contents 1 Design 2 History 2.1 Classic Controller Pro 3 References

[edit] Design

The Classic Controller cord comes from the bottom of the controller, a configuration shared by the Dreamcast controller, and is plugged into the Wii Remote in order to be used. The Classic Controller contains slots on its backside, opened via a rectangular button at the top of the controller; the function of the slots was never officially clarified,^[1][2] 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.^[3] Nyko released a special clip that attaches the Wii Remote to the Classic Controller via the slots, in addition to a grip shell and a place to store the cable.^[4] The body of the Classic Controller measures 65.7 mm tall, 135.7 mm wide, and 26 mm thick.^[5]

The Classic Controller cannot be used to play Nintendo GameCube games. According to the Nintendo Online Shop, the Classic Controller can only be used with Virtual Console games. Specific Wii games have been designed to function with it, however. 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 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.

[edit] 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."^[6] 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."^[7]

During E3 2006 Nintendo introduced the Classic Controller (model number 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.^[8]

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.^[9]

[edit] Classic Controller Pro

On February 26, 2009, Nintendo listed a Classic Controller PRO on its Japanese website. It functions the same way as the original and features the ZL and ZR buttons as full-fledged shoulder buttons, as well as added controller grips.^[10] It was released in Japan on August 1, 2009, in both white and black versions^[11][12] while the latter was released in Europe in November 20, 2009.^[13] The white and black Classic Controller Pros were announced for the North American market on January 25, 2010, and will be released in April 2010, and a black one will be bundled with Monster Hunter Tri upon the game's release.^[14]

[edit] References

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