Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Future Games Show
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Newsletters
    • Total Film
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsarama
Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Future Games Show
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Newsletters
    • Total Film
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsarama
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Trending
  • PS5 State of Play
  • Ghost of Yotei
  • Battlefield 6
  • New Games for 2025
Don't miss these
SIWIQU Nintendo Switch 2 dock with handheld on top next to shocked Kirby figure on black TV bench.
Nintendo Switch 2 I've been testing the first Switch 2 dock to hit Amazon, and it now works pretty well despite Nintendo's handheld hurdles
A Razer Wolverine V3 Pro review image of the controller in its carry case
Gaming Controllers I can't decide if Razer's 8K polling, TMR controller is overkill, or the one PC gamers like me have been waiting for
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Gaming Controllers The best Nintendo Switch controllers in 2025
Best PC controller buying guide hero image showing the Victrix Pro BFG controller and its suite of components
Gaming Controllers The best PC controller for gaming 2025
Photo by Rosalie Newcombe of the Snakebyte System Organiser Switch 2 case sitting on a coffee table.
Accessories This Switch 2 case made travelling so easy, I'm already planning my next trip
Backbone One PlayStation Edition on a desk mat with RGB border lighting
Gaming Controllers The best mobile controller for gaming 2025
8Bitdo N64 Bluetooth Controller for Analogue 3D in black leaning against original Nintendo 64 on woodgrain desk with plant and monitor in backdrop.
Retro The Analogue 3D might be delayed, but I can confirm its 8Bitdo N64 controller is worth the hype
Hand holding 8Bitdo N64 controller next to original console with Blueretro Bluetooth receiver connected.
Retro 8Bitdo's N64 controller keeps getting better, and I just found one for a damn good price
The Asus ROG Raikiri 2 controller showing its back and front, on a purple background
Gaming Controllers The design of Asus' previous controller made no sense, and the updated version revealed at Gamescom proves it
Pikmin
Nintendo Super Mario and Legend of Zelda veteran says "implementing and playtesting is precisely what matters" at Nintendo, where devs don't just "make decisions based on what they see on paper"
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 I can't use the Switch 2's handheld mode, so I'm hoping a Lite is on the horizon
Screenshot from New Super Mario Bros. Wii showing Mario sliding around in a Penguin suit power-up.
Super Mario Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto spent an entire New Super Mario Bros. Wii test demo just sliding around with the Penguin power-up, former Nintendo marketing leads recall: "That's all he was doing"
A Donkey Kong Bananza review image of Donkey Kong staring at a Turtle Beach Rematch controller that's been edited on top
Gaming Controllers I didn't know what "lenticular" meant until I saw this Donkey Kong Bananza controller
Wii U
Wii U Gearbox's Randy Pitchford says everyone expects Nintendo to do something "really interesting," and sometimes you get "brilliant" things like the Wii and Switch 2, and other times you get the Wii U, which "didn't work as well"
A marketing image of the new Turtle Beach Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded on a purple background
Gaming Controllers Turtle Beach is re-releasing my favorite controller with a higher price tag and even I'm struggling to see what's been improved
  1. Games

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

News
By Hollander Cooper published 19 May 2012

Minor refinements might make the difference

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Meet the new Wii U controller?

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...

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of 8
It has Wii U branding

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.

Page 2 of 8
Page 2 of 8
It has analog sticks instead of 3DS nubs

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.

Page 3 of 8
Page 3 of 8
Start and Select have been moved

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.

Page 4 of 8
Page 4 of 8
There's a weird square here

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...

Page 5 of 8
Page 5 of 8
There's another square on the left

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.

Page 6 of 8
Page 6 of 8
The bottom looks different

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.

Page 7 of 8
Page 7 of 8
Is this the charger?

Is this the charger?

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.

Page 8 of 8
Page 8 of 8
Hollander Cooper
Hollander Cooper
Social Links Navigation

Hollander Cooper was the Lead Features Editor of GamesRadar+ between 2011 and 2014. After that lengthy stint managing GR's editorial calendar he moved behind the curtain and into the video game industry itself, working as social media manager for EA and as a communications lead at Riot Games. Hollander is currently stationed at Apple as an organic social lead for the App Store and Apple Arcade. 

A QA tester at Traveller's Tales Games (makers of the LEGO

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:

You may like
  • The Asus ROG Raikiri 2 controller showing its back and front, on a purple background The design of Asus' previous controller made no sense, and the updated version revealed at Gamescom proves it
  • Pikmin Super Mario and Legend of Zelda veteran says "implementing and playtesting is precisely what matters" at Nintendo, where devs don't just "make decisions based on what they see on paper"
  • Nintendo Switch 2 I can't use the Switch 2's handheld mode, so I'm hoping a Lite is on the horizon

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.

See more Games News
Read more
The Asus ROG Raikiri 2 controller showing its back and front, on a purple background
The design of Asus' previous controller made no sense, and the updated version revealed at Gamescom proves it
 
 
Pikmin
Super Mario and Legend of Zelda veteran says "implementing and playtesting is precisely what matters" at Nintendo, where devs don't just "make decisions based on what they see on paper"
 
 
Nintendo Switch 2
I can't use the Switch 2's handheld mode, so I'm hoping a Lite is on the horizon
 
 
Screenshot from New Super Mario Bros. Wii showing Mario sliding around in a Penguin suit power-up.
Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto spent an entire New Super Mario Bros. Wii test demo just sliding around with the Penguin power-up, former Nintendo marketing leads recall: "That's all he was doing"
 
 
A Donkey Kong Bananza review image of Donkey Kong staring at a Turtle Beach Rematch controller that's been edited on top
I didn't know what "lenticular" meant until I saw this Donkey Kong Bananza controller
 
 
Wii U
Gearbox's Randy Pitchford says everyone expects Nintendo to do something "really interesting," and sometimes you get "brilliant" things like the Wii and Switch 2, and other times you get the Wii U, which "didn't work as well"
 
 
Latest in Games
Borderlands 4 character art of Amon
Borderlands 4 mercifully ditches most of Borderlands 3 potty humor, but Gearbox gives itself a treat and references Dark Souls meme from Twitter in hidden sidequest
 
 
Idle Pixel Fantasy screenshot of pixel art warrior opening chest
Solo dev spends 6 weeks making a short free game, accidentally wins the Steam algorithm and makes $4,200 in 5 days, then rushes to prepare a big update: "Seems the people liked my honesty and that I don't have any hidden costs"
 
 
Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshot showing female protagonist Naoe
"For the first time ever," Valve reminds us, the Steam Autumn Sale is live 2 months early – like, right now
 
 
Resident Evil Requiem trailer
Resident Evil Requiem producer says series newcomers will still "enjoy it 100%," but diehard sickos who've played all of the other games will "enjoy it 150%"
 
 
Black Ops 7 screenshot
How Treyarch is redefining what Call of Duty can be with Black Ops 7: "Where we're taking this game is so drastically different from a lot of the things we've done before"
 
 
Commander Shepard in Mass Effect
EA goes $20 billion in debt as part of its $55 billion buyout, and the BioWare fans who've already waited 8 years for Mass Effect 5 are terrified of how the company might cut costs
 
 
Latest in News
Homer Simpson on the poster for The Simpsons Movie
D'oh! 20 years later, The Simpsons movie is getting a sequel
 
 
Tilly Norwood
The first AI actor is here, and Hollywood isn't too happy about it: "Read the room"
 
 
A photo shows a page in the upcoming photography book PlayStation: The First 30 Years that shows a green and grey controller
PlayStation celebrates 30 years with $325 deluxe photo book that Sony says is "sure to become a coveted collectors item" instead of answering fans' prayers for more retro games
 
 
Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor in Superman
Peacemaker season 2's big Superman cameo has DC fans wondering if the show now counts as "homework"
 
 
The Summer Hikaru Died season 2 teaser
Hit Netflix horror anime The Summer Hikaru Died announces season 2 renewal and gets a first look in ominous teaser trailer
 
 
Creature Commandos
The "glowing twink" in Peacemaker season 2 isn't a Creature Commandos Easter egg, confirms James Gunn
 
 
  1. Playing Ghost of Yotei and riding through an autumnal forest with red leaves
    1
    Ghost of Yotei review: "One of the first PS5 games to feel truly boundary-pushing, this hyper violent samurai revenge quest truly hooked me"
  2. 2
    Hades 2 review: "Impeccable combat and flawless characterization across a huge roster make for a follow-up that surpasses even its excellent roguelike predecessor"
  3. 3
    EA FC 26 review: "Ultimate Team's huge, divisive changes have me torn – FIFA's successor has moved away from serving football purists"
  4. 4
    Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles review: "Fantastic tweaks elevate a classic while leaving its spirit intact – this seminal tactical RPG has never been better"
  5. 5
    Baby Steps review: "If you craved a tougher hiking challenge than Death Stranding, this is for you – though prepare to get dropped from many great heights"
  1. Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob in One Battle After Another
    1
    One Battle After Another review: "One of the best studio movies in years and an instant classic"
  2. 2
    The Conjuring: Last Rites review: "Not bold or memorable enough for the Warrens' final chapter"
  3. 3
    Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle review: "Roars past Mugen Train as Demon Slayer's best adventure yet"
  4. 4
    The Long Walk review: "One of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made"
  5. 5
    Frankenstein review: "A classy, if somewhat safe, adaptation"
  1. Yelena Belova, Kamala Khan and Blade Knight in Marvel Zombies
    1
    Marvel Zombies review: "A fun expansion of the What If episode with delightful MCU Easter eggs and truly gross R-rated kills"
  2. 2
    Gen V season 2 review: "As strong as the first season, if not stronger"
  3. 3
    Wednesday season 2 part 2 review: "Ortega shines, but it's a zombie who steals the entire show"
  4. 4
    Peacemaker season 2 review: "Darker and sadder than the first year, but there's still a lot of fun to be had with the 11th Street Kids."
  5. 5
    Wednesday season 2 part 1 review: "Complex and exciting but weighed down by too many subplots"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...