Classic Controller
Encyclopedia
The is a video game controller
produced by Nintendo
. It is used to play games on the Nintendo
Wii
video game console
.
in order to be used. It features two analog stick
s, a D-pad
, face buttons labeled "a", "b", "x" and "y", similar to that of a standard SNES controller. Analog shoulder buttons labeled "L" and "R", and two digital "Z" buttons (labeled "ZL" and "ZR") are located more closely to the center axis on their respective sides. It also has a set of "–", "Home" and "+" buttons like those on the Wii Remote, with the "–" and "+" buttons additionally labeled "Select" and "Start", respectively. The body of the Classic Controller measures 6.57 centimetres (2.6 in) tall, 13.57 centimetres (5.3 in) wide, and 2.6 centimetres (1 in) thick.
The body of the controller contains slots on the underside, opened via a button at the top of the controller; the function of the slots was never officially clarified, but Nintendo of America employees have unofficially 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 serves this function via the locking slots. In addition to a grip shell, the clip contains storage for the controller's three foot cable. While the only color available for the Classic Controller 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.
, 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
. A red version is slated to be packed for the release of Xenoblade Chronicles.
, 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
has). 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 and Classic Controller Pro, like the Wii Remote, will be compatible with the Wii U.
, 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 Remote
s 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 Japanese Club Nintendo
platinum members. In 2010, a similar SNES Classic Controller was made available on Europe's Club Nintendo service. It was made available again on Australia's Club Nintendo services for 3000 stars but was taken off.
. On April 13, 2010, Nintendo won the appeal, and the previous court decision was reversed.
Game controller
A game controller is a device used with games or entertainment systems used to control a playable character or object, or otherwise provide input in a computer game. A controller is typically connected to a game console or computer by means of a wire, cord or nowadays, by means of wireless connection...
produced by Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
. It is used to play games on the Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
video game console
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
.
Classic Controller
The Classic Controller is plugged into the Wii RemoteWii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
in order to be used. It features two analog stick
Analog stick
An analog stick, sometimes called a control stick or thumbstick, is an input device for a controller that is used for two-dimensional input. An analog stick is a variation of a joystick, consisting of a protrusion from the controller; input is based on the position of this protrusion in relation...
s, a D-pad
D-pad
A D-pad is a flat, usually thumb-operated directional control with one button on each point, found on nearly all modern video game console gamepads, game controllers, on the remote control units of some television and DVD players, and smart phones...
, face buttons labeled "a", "b", "x" and "y", similar to that of a standard SNES controller. Analog shoulder buttons labeled "L" and "R", and two digital "Z" buttons (labeled "ZL" and "ZR") are located more closely to the center axis on their respective sides. It also has a set of "–", "Home" and "+" buttons like those on the Wii Remote, with the "–" and "+" buttons additionally labeled "Select" and "Start", respectively. The body of the Classic Controller measures 6.57 centimetres (2.6 in) tall, 13.57 centimetres (5.3 in) wide, and 2.6 centimetres (1 in) thick.
The body of the controller contains slots on the underside, opened via a button at the top of the controller; the function of the slots was never officially clarified, but Nintendo of America employees have unofficially 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
Nyko
Nyko is a manufacturer of third-party accessories for various gaming consoles.-Wand:The Nyko "Wand" is a 3rd-party replacement for the Wii Remote. It was announced at CES 2009. The Wand features Trans-Port technology, which allows specially designed attachments to pass through key buttons to the...
released a clip which serves this function via the locking slots. In addition to a grip shell, the clip contains storage for the controller's three foot cable. While the only color available for the Classic Controller 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
Sonic Colors
is a 2010 platforming game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It was first announced on May 26, 2010, in a press release by Sega for Italy, and it included a teaser trailer...
was bundled with a blue version in Australia.
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 additional 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 2010Pro Evolution Soccer 2010
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is the ninth football video game in the Pro Evolution Soccer series...
, and SD Gundam Gashapon Wars
SD Gundam Gashapon Wars
SD Gundam Gashapon Wars is a strategy video game released in 2005 by BEC. The game was released only in Japan and is based on the Gundam series. It uses many series, including the new Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny....
. In addition to the standard colors, a black version with gold-colored artwork on the face was available bundled with Samurai Warriors 3
Samurai Warriors 3
is the third installment in the Samurai Warriors series, created by Tecmo Koei and Omega Force. The game was released in Japan on December 3, 2009, Europe on May 28, 2010, Australia on June 10, 2010, and in North America on September 27, 2010 for the Wii....
in Japan, and a completely gold-colored version is available bundled in the GoldenEye 007 Classic Edition
GoldenEye 007 (2010 video game)
GoldenEye 007 is a 2010 first-person shooter video game developed by Eurocom and published by Activision for the Wii video game console, and the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It is a reimagining of the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye, and the 1997 Nintendo 64 video game GoldenEye 007...
. A red version is slated to be packed for the release of Xenoblade Chronicles.
Uses
Along with the Nintendo GameCube controllerNintendo GameCube controller
The Nintendo GameCube controller is the standard controller for the Nintendo GameCube video game console.-Overview:Released alongside the Nintendo GameCube console, the standard GameCube controller has a wing grip design. This controller was bundled with all new GameCube systems throughout the...
, the Classic Controller is one of the controllers required in order to play certain Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
games (such as SNES
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
or Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
titles, which require more buttons than the Wii Remote
Wii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
has). However, the Classic Controller cannot be used to play Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
games. The Classic Controller can be used with the Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
as well as with certain Wii and WiiWare games. The Nintendo GameCube controller
Nintendo GameCube controller
The Nintendo GameCube controller is the standard controller for the Nintendo GameCube video game console.-Overview:Released alongside the Nintendo GameCube console, the standard GameCube controller has a wing grip design. This controller was bundled with all new GameCube systems throughout the...
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
Wii Shop Channel
The Wii Shop Channel is an online shop for the Wii video game console that allows users to download Virtual Console and WiiWare games, and new channels. Downloading may require redeeming Wii Points. The channel launched with Wii on November 19, 2006...
(the Nintendo Gamecube controller, however, cannot). It becomes inactive on all other channels, excluding Virtual Console games. The Classic Controller and Classic Controller Pro, like the Wii Remote, will be compatible with the Wii U.
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 IwataSatoru Iwata
is the fourth president of Nintendo, succeeding the long-standing previous president of the company, Hiroshi Yamauchi in 2002. He was responsible in great part for defining Nintendo's strategy both before and during the release of its Nintendo GameCube video game console in 2001, a vision which...
, it would be meant for playing "the existing games, Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
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
Wii Sports
is a sports game developed and published by Nintendo as a launch title for the Wii video game console , and part of the Touch! Generations. The game was first released in North America along with the Wii on November 19, 2006, and was released in Japan, Australia, and Europe the following month...
with one player using a Classic Controller and another using two Wii Remote
Wii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
s 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
History of video game consoles (seventh generation)
In the history of video games, the seventh generation of consoles is the current generation , and includes consoles released since late by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony...
gamepads.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
Classic Controller as one of the choices for the free gift for 2007 Japanese Club Nintendo
Club Nintendo
Club Nintendo is the name of several publications and a more well-known customer loyalty program provided by Nintendo. The loyalty program is free to join and is committed to providing rewards in exchange for consumer feedback and loyalty to purchasing official Nintendo products...
platinum members. In 2010, a similar SNES Classic Controller was made available on Europe's Club Nintendo service. It was made available again on Australia's Club Nintendo services for 3000 stars but was taken off.
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 exercised the right to continue selling the Classic Controller pending a verdict at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
-Vacancies and pending nominations:-List of former judges:-Chief judges:Notwithstanding the foregoing, when the court was initially created, Congress had to resolve which chief judge of the predecessor courts would become the first chief judge...
. On April 13, 2010, Nintendo won the appeal, and the previous court decision was reversed.
See also
- Nintendo GameCube controllerNintendo GameCube controllerThe Nintendo GameCube controller is the standard controller for the Nintendo GameCube video game console.-Overview:Released alongside the Nintendo GameCube console, the standard GameCube controller has a wing grip design. This controller was bundled with all new GameCube systems throughout the...
- List of Wii games that use the Classic Controller