Pro Controller

Description

The Wii U Pro Controller is a Bluetooth 2.0 gamepad designed for use with the Wii U console. It features a traditional button layout, including dual analog sticks, a D-pad, four face buttons (A, B, X, Y), four shoulder buttons (L, R, ZL, ZR), and standard Start, Select, and Home buttons. The controller uses a user-replaceable Nintendo DS rechargeable lithium-ion battery (CTR-003), which provides up to 80 hours use on a single charge.

Its ergonomic design is optimised for extended use and supports compatible Wii U titles, offering an alternative to the Wii U GamePad for those of us who prefer traditional controllers. Subsequent to the GameCube Nintendo’s insistence of non-traditional controllers often lead to a challenge, where many games simply benefitted from a ‘classic’ controller. The Wii’s initial Classic Controller was more like a modern Super Famicom gamepad. This was replaced by the Classic Controller Pro, which something akin to contemporary PlayStation DualShock like arrangement gamepads. The Wii U’s Pro Controller switch the thumbstick locations to the outside in a dual-stick arrangement, in a form factor resembling something similar to the Xbox 360 Controller.

Personally these were quite good controllers, however the lack of analogue shoulder buttons—particularly since the hybrid GameCube ones—remained a weakness for any vehicle gameplay.