Wii U Pro Controller Unveiled: Looks A Bit XBox-Like

It seems that the folks over at Nintendo have been playing their XBox 360s quite a lot in the run up to the grand unveiling of the Wii U (which we now pretty much know stands for "Unique") at E3 later this week. Because not only have they made some serious design changes to the tablet-like controller - officially called the Wii U Gamepad - including the introduction of clickable analogue sticks, new positions for the buttons and new rear grip pads that lead to a similar hand position to the 360 controller - they've also unveiled a completely new controller. The Wii U Pro Controller will appease fans who prefer a more conventional control method, and the similarities with the XBox 360 controller have already started tongues wagging, amid early suggestions that Microsoft might not be particularly impressed with how similar the controller looks to a 360 controller (albeit with slightly different button placement).The wireless controller features four shoulder buttons, a D-pad below the left analog stick and face buttons below the right one, select, start, home, and power buttons, as well as a charge port at the top and PS3-like player indicator lights on the bottom. Judge for yourself...

Let's be honest, that controller shape is now considered fairly standard, with the OnLive controller taking similar aesthetic leads from the Microsoft classic controller based on the ergonomic benefits of the shape and button placement. It hasn't yet been confirmed, but it is more than likely that the Pro Controller will come as an optional additional extra, with the Gamepad the standard. Hopefully, the presence of this controller, and the fact that it has been announced so early (suggesting its importance, perhaps) will mean some more conventional game titles for the Wii U, with more focus on hardcore experiences rather than the predominantly casual experiences offered by the Wii. What do you think of the Wii U Pro Controller? Let us know below.