Wii U Redesigned Controller Image Leak Shows New Analog Sticks

By Matthew Bennett, Associate Editor
Posted on May 21, 2012 AT 06:39am

A QA Tester for Traveller’s Tales, the developers of several LEGO games, has leaked an image of a revised Wii U controller.

The image was leaked via the tester’s Twitter page, but has since been removed. Straight away you will notice that the controller now features traditional analog sticks as opposed to the 3DS nubs originally featured. Both the Start and Select buttons have also been moved to the right hand side of the device and a small square button has appeared below the d-pad, we guess this is for syncing the controller.

Finally the tablet now includes the official Wii U branding, suggesting this is the final name for the device. These changes may only be for the developer units, but expect the final retail controllers to look similar. The major change to the analog sticks is probably the best thing that Nintendo could have done, everybody hates those little nubs on the 3DS and on a controller this size it would have caused all sorts of issues. The other changes are simply cosmetic, and shouldn’t really change how the controller is used.

Our biggest qualm with the design is the position of the sticks, why have them right at the top of the device? It looks incredibly awkward to hold and use the face buttons at the same time. We hope that Nintendo will decide to move the sticks below the face buttons like most controllers.

What do you think of the design?

Matthew Bennett finally got his big break with EGM three years ago, following years of volunteer work for various sites. An ability to go many hours without sleep and a quick wit make him ideal for his role as associate editor at EGMNOW.com. He often thinks back to the days when the very idea of this career seemed like nothing but an impossible dream. Follow him on Twitter @mattyjb89. Meet the rest of the crew.