Revised Wii U controller image leaks to Twitter - actual analog sticks, other minor changes shown

Hollander Cooper on May 19, 2012

Meet the new Wii U controller?

The new Wii U controller looks similar to the old one, but it has several major differences. Check them all out here...
It has Wii U branding

Rumors have been circulating for some time about an upcoming Wii U name change, but if this image is legit, it would appear said rumors are not. It has the Wii U branding right on the faceplate, and we've a feeling Nintendo wouldn't still be using a name it's planning on changing.
It has analog sticks instead of 3DS nubs

The largest change might be the switch from 3DS slider-pad analog nubs to legitimate analog sticks. This has been requested since the system was first shown off, and we're happy to see Nintendo make the swap.
Start and Select have been moved

Start and Select have been taken from the bottom of the controller to the side. We're sure there's a reason for this swap, but we sure don't know it.
There's a weird square here

See it? Right on the bottom in between the battery light and the Power button there's a square. It might by to sync up the controller, or to change which screen the game is being displayed on, but we don't know just yet. Also...
There's another square on the left

Two squares? This could be something specifically for debug consoles for all we know, but it's certainly interesting to see.
The bottom looks different

This one might just be the lighting or the angle, but the bottom sure looks different in the picture. Instead of having one long rectangular spot with two squares around it, it looks like the rectangle has one shape to the side, which sort of looks like a mini USB spot.
Is this the charger?

On the top there are two cords coming out of the controller, and one looks like it might be a charger. The grey cord on the left is very similar in style and color to the DS cord, leading us to believe that it might be supplying power.
And if you want to read about more next-gen rumors, check out our Xbox 720 rumor roundup, PS4 rumor roundup, and, of course, our Wii U rumor roundup.
Keep going with these great galleries

A QA tester at Traveller's Tales Games (makers of the LEGO <insert something here> series) going by the Twitter handle @MATTYBOOSH has posted a picture to Twitter of what appears to a revised version of the Wii U controller. This correlates with rumors we'd heard earlier this year of the Wii U tablet seeing some redesigns before being shown off again at E3 next month. The image has since been deleted, but we've grabbed it and posted it below.

First, for reference here's the old Wii U controller:

And now, here's the new one:

Notice any differences? Because we sure do.

First, note the new analog sticks. It appears that Nintendo has decided to include actual sticks, instead of the nubs found on the original tablet and the 3DS. This change might bump up the price, but it'll make a big difference in the long term. Next, notice the movement of the Start and Select buttons, which have found a new home on the right side of the controller. There's also a little square on the left side and on the bottom and, maybe most importantly, actual Wii U branding. With other rumors floating around speculating a name change, this is pseudo-confirmation that the Wii U moniker might be here to stay - if this is legit, that is.

We've posed a full comparison breakdown in the gallery above, pointing out each and every difference.

It's possible that some of these differences will be specific to the dev unit, though they usually end up mirroring the final version quite closely. We'll keep digging on this and attempt to find more information, but be sure to let us know if there's anything else you notice in the comments below.

Hankering after more of the stories, news and possible truths that might shape this year's E3? Then head over to our E3 rumours compendium page. It's being updated constantly between now and the show.

We Recommend

61 comments

View as:
Newest first
Oldest first

lewis-barclay - May 24, 2012 8:54 a.m.

I'm sorry but it just looks like they took an i pad and slapped some buttons and sticks on it. Theres nothing new about this. This tech already exists in the i pad or any tablet. Am I the only person who noticed this?
- Reply
- Report
lewis-barclay - May 24, 2012 8:56 a.m.

Btw. A stylus? Really? How old is this tech? Nintendo refuses to catch up because they know people will be all over it.....like apple. Wait a sec...
- Reply
- Report
browngamer41 - May 21, 2012 1:36 p.m.

Everybody on here talking to Geek-o should stfu..if anybody is trolling it's you idiots-what he can't have an opinion-are you the experts on "hardcore gaming" or something? Then when he brings up perfectly valid points you start attacking him for his spelling..classy -I'll say it now the Upad looks amazing and WILL sell millions The sticks are perfectly placed if anything the 360 placement cramps hands and is uncomfortable can't wait to see you idiots eat your words keep playing your out dated tech and living in your moms basement while pigging out on pizza and mountain dew..see I can make idiotic assumptions too.
- Reply
- Report
larkan - May 21, 2012 9:02 p.m.

Don't hold back bro..tell us how you REALLY feel. Oh, and anything made my Nintendo is automatically 2-3 years outdated tech, just saying....
- Reply
- Report
lewis-barclay - May 24, 2012 8:57 a.m.

ah. someone DID catch onto it.
- Reply
- Report
TheMariner - May 21, 2012 11:35 a.m.

I actually really like the redesign of the controller. The change from nubs to sticks is entirely welcome in my opinion. I suppose my only hope now is that the sticks click in like on the PS360. The placement of the sticks could be a bit awkward but, not having held it myself, I'm in no place to make judgements. It seems to me that the start/select buttons were moved in order to bring them closer to where the hands will be when holding the controller so that seems logical. My only lament about this controller is that, since it has a WiiU brand, it seems that WiiU is the final name of the product. I just find it hilarious that people seem so quick to judge the controller before even having held it or used it themselves. "Oh no! It's different! Let's automatically hate it unconditionally because it's new and unfamiliar to us!" Come on, people. The DualShock, introduced with the Gen5 PS1, was a huge departure from previous console controllers and now that basic layout is considered the norm. We've had the same basic controller layout for 15 years! I think Nintendo is doing the right thing by changing things up.
- Reply
- Report
Cyberninja - May 20, 2012 5:31 p.m.

Frankly the dreamcast had its analog on top and that has a good controler and just grab a random ps or xbox controler and I bet your thumbs will naturally rest on the dpad not the thumbsticks,the point I am trying to make is don't complain about the looks of something before using it, its almost like non of you remember how fun it was to figure out the n64 controller
- Reply
- Report
samsneeze - May 21, 2012 12:52 a.m.

The Dreamcast's analog was actually across from the buttons, or maybe slightly askew. They, however, were not completely above the buttons like the WiiU's controller shows here.
- Reply
- Report
mattdark - May 21, 2012 1:05 a.m.

Cants say my thumbs rest on the d-pad, I naturally just place them on the left-analouge stick and faces buttons. But then I know which buttons i'll mainly be using...
- Reply
- Report
Fox_Mulder - May 20, 2012 12:56 p.m.

NO! The Wii U logo's on there! I guess Ninty hasn't learned from last year's confusion. They better change the name, I want to forget the horrid "Wii Era".
- Reply
- Report
Fox_Mulder - May 20, 2012 1:13 p.m.

So, what? I'm gonna reach for the control stick and end up pushing a button? Seems like a design flaw from my point of view.
- Reply
- Report
LordHyper - May 21, 2012 5:42 a.m.

The Wii wasn't that bad... And I suppose that the name 'Wii U' has become iconic to the point that Nintendo's letting it stick. For example, the DS originally stood for Developer System and wasn't going to be the final name. But people thought DS stood for Dual Screen and it ended up being the final name.
- Reply
- Report
brickman409 - May 20, 2012 9:10 a.m.

looks ugly and more beta like than the controller from E3. for all we know, this could be an even older model than the E3 version.
- Reply
- Report
Tronto13 - May 20, 2012 1:09 a.m.

The actual thumbsticks are an improvement but I still don't like the position of them. I think having them above the A,B,X,Y will make it really uncomfortable.
- Reply
- Report
ThatGamerDude - May 19, 2012 10:29 p.m.

I think there's a USB port near the top on it. There's a small cable connected to the controller on the left that looks like a USB cable. I'm guessing that's how it charges or maybe it'll be compatible with Windows 8 (fat chance).
- Reply
- Report
Nikku7 - May 19, 2012 10:02 p.m.

If you're going to hate on everything Nintendo does, why is it even worth your time to visit this Nintendo related page? You know who I'm talking to. I like the look of the sticks rather than nubs.
- Reply
- Report
IceBlueKirby - May 19, 2012 9:47 p.m.

Regardless of whether or not this is the final design, it still appears that it'll take some getting used to. But I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of games Nintendo can cook up to make the best use of this controller.
- Reply
- Report
Smash_Bro - May 19, 2012 9:42 p.m.

Analog sticks? Twin ANALOG STICKS!? There is a God, and He's heard my prayers! You guys have no idea how much I was hoping they'd change the circle pads to real analog sticks. I'm so happy! We may not be 100% sure that this controller will indeed be the final product, but...come ON, it practically has to be. Incidentally, I don't entirely believe that the "Wii U" name will stay just because it's printed onto this "new" controller. Who knows how old this prototype is? The version to be seen at E3 could look completely different.
- Reply
- Report
codystovall - May 19, 2012 9:33 p.m.

Like playing with nipples.... How am I supposed to hold this thing, looks heavy and annoying as fuk. I miss you gamecube controller...
- Reply
- Report
Larry Legdrop - May 19, 2012 8:55 p.m.

This GODDAMN "thing" looks like one of those mini chalkboards they use in third world countries in lieu of real notebooks, ipads, or any other goddamn piece of technology we use to keep shit we need to remember in.WTF, how are you suppose to use this third tablet that Mel Brooks dropped and broke from one of his movies (and if you know which one I'm talking about, then well to you, but if not, then go fuck yourself)Damn those thumbsticks are higher than a bald eagle on crystal meth doing a line off the top of Mt. Everest.
- Reply
- Report