I Hate the Wii U Pro Controller

Kotaku - Okay, so Nintendo is releasing a new console (the Wii U) with a new controller (called the Wii U GamePad). I'm actually cool with the GamePad—even though it's quite wide. It opens up new takes on multiplayer, which is a very good (and welcome) thing. What I hate is the Wii U Pro Controller.

[Hatsune-Miku]

I hate the Wii u and its controllers except the pro controller

[Abash]

Doesnt sound like it's anywhere near worth the $50 they're asking for. There is nothing worse than using a crap controller while gaming, Im disappointed

[WrAiTh Sp3cTr3]

"The buttons are not clicky, but mushy, and the whole affair feels, well, uninspired."

Are they speaking of the face buttons or the thumbsticks? Becaue neither DS3 nor 360 gamepad's face buttons are "clicky" but "mushy".

[-Mika-]

Ya im looking at it and it just looks cheap. Even the article say it feels cheap. I guess nintendo trying to get away with charging $50 like the other guys but like always. The difference between Sony/Microsoft compared to Nintendo is that the other guys aren't afraid to provide it customers with a item that worth it asking price. This controller should honestly be $20.

[PopRocks359]

@-Mika-

How do you determine the value by how light it is and how it feels in your hand? That says nothing about the actual tech inside of it. That and Nintendo historically makes their controllers look and feel similarly to plastic toys. Not a big surprise given that children are part of their consumer base.

The SIXAXIS controller was light as hell and had no rumble. How was that worth the asking price and this isn't?

[Bimkoblerutso]

^No one liked that controller either. It's why it was eventually updated.

Obviously we've got to feel the controller for ourselves, but color me slightly worried. I've read from a few places that this controller feels noticeably cheap and flimsy.

But at the same time, you're right, this isn't unlike Nintendo. Their stuff almost always feels very toy like, and yet they've easily made some of the best controllers ever. Maybe this is just Kotaku being Kotaku....

[omarzy]

@popRocks. Don't ask Mika rational questions.

[stragomccloud]

I don't think it's worth it either, I think 40 tops. I still don't have any idea how microsoft got away with charging that much either, and we really had no choice but to pony up.

[mewhy32]

this is a shameless copy of the Xbox controller. I happen to prefer the Xbox controller to all others but I haven't tried this one from Nintendo. The shape looks friendly but I can't really say any more than that.

[gaffyh]

I wouldn't mind "mushy" buttons, but the thing that would worry me about this controller design is that it seems very easy to accidentally hit the face button when using the right analog stick.

[Reibooi]

To be honest I don't plan on buying a Wii U unless I can use all games with the pro controller or a 3rd party version of it assuming Nintendo's really is cheap.

I don't like gimmicks and that is as far as I'm concerned exactly what the tablet controller thing is a gimmick. Everybody looks at it now and goes oh it's not a gimmick it's cool think of all you can do with it. Those same people said that about the original Wii and look how quickly that gimmick wore thin and the devs drop that console like a dead puppy. I don't like any of this gimmick gaming. I don't like Kinect and I don't like MOVE they just feel stupid.

There are a few games coming to the Wii U that I would love to play but not if I can't use a normal controller.

[Anon1974]

Hell, I'm just happy to see something resembling a normal controller. I didn't like the six-axis either (I agree that the weight just felt...off) but I'll take that light ass, no vibration six-axis over the blasted Wii-mote any day of the week. The only reason I'm even considering a Wii-U purchase in the future is due to the option of a standard controller.

[pixelsword]

The Wii U controller took the best concepts from the 360 (big controller) and PS3 controller (symmetrical sticks) and somehow it's a bad thing. It's basically a 360 controller with a symmetrical PS3 stick layout, which I almost agree with because the off-centered controllers kinda sucked. But what I don't like about the Wii U layout is that the d-bad being down like the 360's is that it's harder to quickly hit the d-pad buttons with your thumb on the 360 like that and I hit the wrong buttons a lot, so even though I don't like the PS3 controller's size, I do like the layout, so I'm gonna say overall the PS3 layout will be the best for me, the Wii U second, and the 360 last for now.

I think the mushy buttons may make the buttons last longer with a "cheaper" cost to manufacture. I'm not certain as I haven't actually held the controller, but that's just a theory.

And yeah, the PS3 buttons are "clicky", I can't recall about the 360 buttons, but I don't recall them being mushy and I'm not about to go into a closet and dig one up to double-check though.

[nintendojunkie28]

"I hate the Wii u and its controllers"

Yet,you're always the first to comment on Wii U related articles.I will never understand the mind of the PS fanboy.

[Lord_Sloth]

Come now. We know he enjoys a PS product because he sports Miku Hatsune but that doesn't mean he's a PS fanboy. He may prefer the 360 or the PC and simply like Hatsune.

Besides, all fanboys are bad. Let's not just attack 1 kind.

[Brosy]

No Miku-Hatsune is a sony fanboy. Just look at how many bubbles he has. Hes also first to comment on any sony related or xbox related articles.

[stragomccloud]

Don't you ever get tired of trolling Wii U articles? Do you have anything better to do?

[Rockoman16]

Don't you ever get tired of trolling?

[MASTER_RAIDEN]

right on man. jesus, give the guy anymore disagrees why dont ya?
forgive us for being more conventional gamers...

[Bigpappy]

Okay, if we play let's hate the wii all this week, can we play something else next week?

Is this thing even released yet? How did so many get to test the controller?

[NYC_Gamer]

That one analog is placed in the wrong spot

[linkratos]

That's what I always say about the DualShock 3.

[MaxXAttaxX]

That's what is said about the N64 controller.
Right in the middle... Whose bright idea was that. My thumb doesn't stretch that far. I had to move my hand.

[MaxXAttaxX]

Btw, if you think I'm being a fanboy, I like more symmetrical controllers (like my hands) and yes that includes the Wii U Pro controller layout, Wii Classic controller Pro AND DualShock.

[Shok]

It's light? Ew, I don't like light controller either =/.

[dasbeer88]

Yes let's start playing our next-generation consoles by using 80-pound controllers but 78 pounds of them are unnecessary weight, shall we?

[MASTER_RAIDEN]

LOL please stop talking.
the weight a controller has is actually really important. top quality items typically have a nice heft to them- makes it feel as if your holding something substantial while you game.
so please feel free to calm your tits. nobody is asking for "80 Pound controllers", so stop exaggerating to make it seem like its such an insaaannee request to ask for a controller with a little more weight. if the controller doesnt feel good in a persons hand because its too light and feels cheap, thats a huge problem.

[ItsTrue]

So by your logic, everyone likes either -15°C or 1000°C showers right?

[Khordchange]

Guys he was being sarcastic, cant believe you voted him down XD

[Neo Nugget]

I don't think that was sarcasm :P

[LOL_WUT]

It looks bulky i'd rather just stick to the gamepad than to use this controller.

[M-M]

Your username comes to mind.

[attilayavuzer]

You're right. I played a few games on my phone...just had too much bulk...switched to a tablet instead

[for we are many]

Haters gonna hate...OK So What's next.. *I hate the wii u's HDMI cable* !!

[torchic]

there's nothing wrong with having legitimate concerns about a console's input device, it's not "hating"

to this very day I still complain about DS3's L2/R2 buttons, and if they play a vital role in a game I map them to another place, if possible. I also never got used to how flimsy DS3 feels compared to DS1 and DS2. now am I hating too? just for voicing opinions?

the mainstream has gone and butchered the word hater. it's almost like that tag is unavoidable.

[Trunkz]

Good 4 you. Look at how many complained about the 3DS "oohhh my eyes! this is awful!" yet its done so well and not as many complaints from that part.

[Bathyj]

Thats a shame. I hate all their other controllers and I actually thought this one looked better.

[ShaunCameron]

Well, different strokes for different folks. I actually like it.

[BitbyDeath]

The only thing i don't understand is the stick placement (it just looks strange) but will have to try it out first to see how it feels.

[GuruStarr78]

I agree... I've actually played with it and since I'm so used to the 360 controller, it's totally weird, the right stick is where the buttons feel like they should be and vice versa....

[rpd123]

I know right. You'd think it'd feel normal just cause its symmetrical and that the 360 controller would feel weird, but it's just not the case.

[attilayavuzer]

It looks like one of those huge, cheap knock-off controllers

[3-4-5]

Kevlar vests are lighter than pure steel vests so they must be cheaper as well right guys ?

[Yodagamer]

I'd assume it feels like the ccp on the 3ds with it's analog sticks, and i don't mind those, it might take a bit of getting used to, but it will become natural to most

[Max-Zorin]

Rotfl the Wii-U is just blacklisted for no reason.

[Straightupbeastly]

Black ops 2 in 1080 p will blow uncharted 2 and gears of war 3 out the water

[ziggurcat]

bahahahahahahahahahahahahaha good one.

[mobiusoneac4]

Generic shooter A looks better than generic shooters B and C.

[DivineAssault]

Its not 1080p on wii u.. previewers say playing it sux on the pad & this thing has little to no rumble & feels cheap.. lets see how your theory flies.. I bet that most ppl who buy the thing will use the gamepad for a week & go to this instead.. That pad wont be comfortable for long periods of time being flat like that.. Once the whole "oh this is cool" effect wears of, itl be a dust collecting accessory.. Especially when its going to need charging every few hours

[nintendojunkie28]

"previewers say playing it sux on the pad"

I haven't seen that stated anywhere.

[Tito08]

It looks like a nice controller, but I don't like both analog positions TBH, unless I see it & give it a try, but for now, it doesn't seem like a well thought-out design!!!!

[PSPSA]

No need to yell.

[Tito08]

Does it seem like I'm yelling????!!

[attilayavuzer]

kinda yeah

[Tito08]

Well, your opinions, but I wasn't yelling at all!

[Hazmat13]

ok wait so its the WiiU console, Gamepad (that touchscreen thing), and this controller?

[LKHGFDSA]

you have to buy the old wiimote and nunchuck aswell.
I bet they'll have revised versions of the 3 within a year, so much crap to buy. It's the original wii all over again.

[mobiusoneac4]

If it's of similar quality to the CCP then I don't see the problem. That's probably the comfiest controller I've used this generation. Hopefully, the dpad is just as good.

[Baka-akaB]

Maybe it does sucks , i dunno yet till the thing comes in hands . But i cetainly wont give much value to Kotaku's opinion and especially Bryan ashcraft of all things

[JellyJelly]

I'm surprised not more people noticed the source.

[Adolph Fitler]

I'd would have rathered they have the pro-controller as standard & forget the cheap, wannabe ipad it is going to ship with.
If this was the case, they could have saved a fortune, so as the machine will be graphically competative against PS4 & 720 when they release.
Now, we get an underpowered machine with a controller that will prove as usefull & as needed as the Nunchuk on Wii. Just like the Nunchuk, the tablet for Wii-U will only go on to prove in years to come, that not only is this controller useless for anything in videogames, but it will also prove that ALL the games it supports, will work better using a pro controller.

[Gamer-Z]

The controller does look kinda cheap

[taquito]

im just glad a new console is coming out with 4x the power of the ancient ps3/360

those things are getting so dusty, though halo 4 will bring the 360 back to life for a week or two while i rent it, and the last of us if it ever comes out will make for a nice rental, would rather both those games just come out on next gen consoles though

ps4 and nextbox need to be out within 6 months or nintendo is gonna destroy everyone again next gen.

[DivineAssault]

lol i knew it.. "well cheap" & all the fans will defend it to the end.. Little to no rumble? screw that, i imported a dual shock cuz original six axis didnt have it.. Maybe they will fix it later huh? ya right & everyone says playing COD sucks on the gamepad.. so what are shooter players going to use on wii u? Its not about the damn weight! its about the rumble, the feel, the button resistance.. If i paid $50 for a hollow shell of plasic that felt like crap, i would return it the next day.. The rumble weights inside arent feathers, they need to rotate at different speeds for deeper vibs in the controller..

[IHateYouFanboys]

the only persons opinion that i care about in regards to controllers is my own, so ill wait til ive got the pro controller in my hand before passing judgement.

it LOOKS like it should be the best controller ever made for a game console as it gets nearly everything perfect ergonomically.

triggers? check.
main inputs, the analogues, in the default thumb positions? check.
ergonomic shape of controller? check.
awesome best-in-the-business nintendo-style dpad? check.

the only thing i dont like about it is that the analogue sticks are convex instead of concave. hopefully the little grip-ridge thingy will suffice.

[Smashbro29]

Best in the business D-pad?

Best D-pad ona current system is the Vita's. Hands down.

Next point: Best one of all time is between the Neo Geo Pocket's joystick thing (which is arguably not a d-pad) and the SEGA Satrun d-pad. This is not opinion this is from the design standpoint of how the stuff works.

[Adolph Fitler]

I love all the Nintendo fangirls on here getting butthurt because the Wii-U is getting a little bit of flack here & there.
Jesus people, you fangirls would have an anuerism if you were Sony fanboys....especially months before PS3's release & for years afterwards.....meanwhile Nintendo recieved nothing but unwarranted praise, & the mass U.S. based media were sweeping the MS 360 RROD debacle under the carpet, or downplaying it with a 20-30% failure rate, when everyone that owned a 360 knew it was more like 100% failure rate.

Nintendo are again bringing nothing to the table.....all I've seen that stupid, uneccessary pseudo tablet do, is work as a digital f%$king Dora The Explorer bacpack, which is obvious & boring, & I've a feeling it won't get much more sophisticated than that, as it is a stupid, gamebreaker & booster shot back to reality. I mean as your immersed into a gameworld, you want everythig there in fornt of you on you big a$$ tv screen, so having to look away to look at a gps, or Dora backpack pulls you out of the game you WERE immersed fully into.

The Nunchuk controller, at least didn't whip you back to reality & spoil an immersive experience, whereas this thing does. For me, it is a game spoiling experience, without a doubt......
If I wanna play a tablet, I'll buy a damn tablet or play my PSP, or my playstation phone......I play a console on my tv exclusively, it's the way it works best.....it has worked that way in Atari dot on screen days, through to few more dots on screen called 8 bit, through to the pinnacle of 2d sidescoller/platformer days in the 16 bit era, & all of these generations used simple, standard gamepad controllers......Why??? Because they are THE ONLY & THE BEST way to play games.

As I said, if I wanna play on a tablet, I'll play on me tablet, if I wanna play on a keyboard I'll play on a pc or mac, if I wanna play a board game, I'll drag f%$king Snakes & Ladders & Trivial Pursuit outta the cupboard.... But, I don't, I wanna play console based videogames with a traditional, worked for a 1000 yrs gamepad.
I mean, why don't Nintendo stop trying to re-invent the wheel, & just work on designing a tyre as close to perfection as possible, as well as putting a nice supercharged motor under the damn hood of the car. In other words, give us a sleek, slim lined, ergonomically perfect as possible new Wii-U gamepad, as well as some serious specs inside the main units case.

They just haven't had it since Sony joined the party with PS1....poor ol' Nintendo.

[coolman229]

You were never hugged as a child, were you?

[Rockoman16]

No, he was dropped as a child

[ninjabake]

Dag man, didn't know it meant that much to you LOL

But back on topic, I don't have any issue with what the author said. He dislikes the controller and gave valid reasons as to why he felt that way. I've had my own concerns with the pro controller but ill wait til it comes out so I can see it in action and judge for myself and be fair about it.

[stragomccloud]

Wow. Just wow.
I wish you could read what you've just written from another's perspective.

[nintendojunkie28]

Yuck!...You Sony fanboys are the absolute worst.

[Hicken]

Nintendo fanboys(like yourself), Microsoft fanboys(like IHateYouFanboys), and PC fanboys(like taquito) are no better.

[Getowned]

"Yuck!...You Sony fanboys are the absolute worst." says the fanboy.

[MasterCratosKong66]

Sooo... nintendo should be more like sony? If you want 2 sony consoles buy 2 PS4's when they come out. I'd prefer each to be unique so I actually get to benefit from their competition and get a different experience on each.

[tweet75]

will the current wii controller pro work on wii u?

[mobiusoneac4]

That would be nice, but I doubt it since it lacks L3 and R3.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

All Wii-controllers, (Mote, Nunchuck, Classic Controller and Pro,) will work.

[young7yang]

then don't buy it!..

I am personally looking forward to the Wii U.. got mine on order already.. my favorite controller of all time is the original sega saturn controller..

[Ziggyvertang]

I hate it just because I hate Nintendo...i just want a new IP :(

[Darukain]

Wait... if you hate a product just because of it's company then you just need to get new ethics.

I hate apple but I acknowledge their success with the Iphone.

[MasterCratosKong66]

At least you are honest I guess

[Darukain]

The problem that I have with these problems is that they can all be fixed by getting used to the controller. The buttons can easily be accustomed to and the weight of it is preference. Unless there are some actual technical problems I will at least consider in buying one. This is just my OPINION.

[quantae06]

Exactly!

[GhostHero333]

Anything is better on a shooter game than the wiimote.

[ninjabake]

I disagree. The Wii Remote and nunchuck combo for shooters is the closest to the mouse and keyboard in my opinion. Its not without its flaws tho, without motion plus it can get a little jumpy and inconsistent from time to time but it is definitely more skill based than the dual-analog setup if you ask me.

[stuntman_mike]

I'd like to feel it in my own hands before I make my judgement...??

Thats what she said. :D

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

Should be working with pc soon. But if it's crap then never mind. Nintendo never n=made a good controller.

[chrisarsenalsavart]

You know how you were playing games before nintendo arrived?
With a stick, a 2600 atari freaking stick.

[quantae06]

Nintendo made controllers period. Before the NES their were only joysticks in gaming. I don't even have to speak on analog sticks, shoulder buttons & rumble features. But they were first on Nintendo consoles also.

[Imalwaysright]

I dont know. That right analogue stick sitting on top of the face buttons just doesnt feel right and will most likely take some time for me to get used to it! Got to try the thing before making an educated opinion!

[Tzuno]

Bubble me up if you think that Wii-U pro controller looks 98% like the Xbox 360 one.

[Quetzll]

Look at each and every controller that as EVER been released on ANY console and tell me which came first.

Just like every iteration for any product, there was the first/original, and from then on out, everyone else just borrowed ideas from other technology in and out of the gaming industry.

Xbox's controller design didn't come first.

[sandman224]

That's just a negative thing to say. Lets try to be positive unless the controller breaks then I understand the negativity.

[Quetzll]

Drop your 360 controller, then compare it to dropping your DS3.

DS3 is lighter so that's less impact on the ground.. which means it'll most likely last longer than the anchor-like 360 controller.

if the WPC is as light as this guy mentions, it should be able to handle many drops. (i have a 1 year old who constantly grabs my ps3 controller and drops it)

also, seems like he's complaining about the aesthetics more than performance.

[3-4-5]

I hate the PS6's controller....o wait it's not out yet?

[Kennytaur]

I hate that the right stick is positioned above the face-buttons, because I have a weird thumb that can't really bend that way (can't bend my right thumb at the middle joint either) . It's normally OK with buttons up high (although I sometimes use my index to hit the top one), but with an analogue stick, things could get difficult and uncomfortable. Making the Wii U the first controller I'll struggle with ever.

[Qrphe]

I'd assume the right analog precision to be a bit worse than the one in the PS360 due to location. The farther from your thumb the stick is, the harder it is for your thumb to keep steady precision on it.

[Kos-Mos]

I hate kotaku.

[carlocgc]

its an opinion post. so HE doesnt like it big deal...

[Qrphe]

But, are the triggers analog??!?!?!?!!?!?

[BringingTheThunder]

it should be $40, not $50

[Enigma_2099]

Nintendo's releasing a "normal" controller for the Wii U?

Thank the lord!

[bayonetta]

i can accept anything except that bad analog in the right side
its should be like xbox 360 and ps3 controllers =[

[CYBERHATER]

The PS2 controller was the best controller I ever put in my hand.

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

Is there anyone out there that truely feels this motion/touch stuff is truely innovating gaming and that goes for all 3 consoles! or is it more of just 1 company doing it first... to just rather be different?

How bored are we as a culture that we need motion/touch in our games?

I think it's more the Apple pop culture effect, thats becoming intrusive to our gaming...

Sony didn't end up doing anything mind bending with sixaxis, and hasn't touched the thing in forever! Move has the potential just wasn't/isn't used fully!

MS Kinect did nothing mind bending outside of what was typicly expected...

Wii felt extremly limited to it's movements...

All my opinion, but there has to be a few people who agree right?

[claud3]

So you hate it, an article had to be made for you to figure that own. You moron

[ElectricKaibutsu]

I'm sure it's fine.

[bahabeast]

i like the controller.