Nintendo Wii's Classic Controller Pro Review

When Nintendo released the Classic Controller for the Wii, gamers snatched them up. While some bought them to evade motion controls in classic-compatible games, most purchased them for the purpose of enjoying Virtual Console games with a more traditional controller than the Wiimote.

The Classic Controller became a best friend to many nostalgic gamers on the Wii as well as multiplayer fans looking for an inexpensive way to bolster their number of controllers. While overall a great gamepad; it was not without its faults. Now here I have a black Classic Controller Pro in my hands fresh from Monster Hunter Tri. Does it outdo the original or do the innovations fail to impress?

Before I jump into a few games, let me get a few major points out of the way. Like the regular Classic Controller, the CC Pro lacks rumble- which is a pretty big letdown. That's really the only fault that can be assigned to the CC Pro's design- anything else is trivial. What does it improve upon? The Pro features hand grips much like the GC controller- which is the most noticeable of improvements.

However the CC Pro also features several subtle advancements. For instance- the D-pad is less stiff and generally smoother in response. The cord now comes out of the top which is much less awkward- the original CC, like the Dreamcast controller, had its cord come out of the bottom. A few of the other minute changes include a more comfortable texture and the controller itself feels heavier.

Also improved is button placement- the Pro is more akin to the GC controller here as well, as opposed to the original being reminiscent of the Super Nintendo controller. The last thing worth mentioning is the color. The black version looks fantastic- the one problem with the finish being that like the black DS Lite, it does show fingerprints. But how does it play? I selected three random games to test just that. Each is a multiplayer title so that the second player could use my original Classic Controller.

Kirby's Dream Land 3
VC - Super Nintendo

In short, it plays like a dream! The second player assumes control of 'Gooey' in Kirby's Dream Land 3's co-op. You eat enemies, gain powers, and face-off with all the challenges with Kirby. The Pro's grips make playing much more comfortable and the actual shape of the controller better fits the gameplay when compared to the GC controller or the original CC. My performance in the game improved significantly!

Dokapon Kingdom
- Wii

This RPG, board game crossover title proved itself to be incredibly addictive whether played with the Wiimote, GC controller, or the Classic controller. With the Pro? Surprise, surprise- the original actually felt a bit more comfortable. When it came to passing the controller around, strategically using the turn-based fighting system, and making moves on the board- the original CC just had a nicer feel. It wasn't that big a difference, its just that the CC Pro's innovations are more targeted at action-oriented games.

Pokemon Rumble
- Wiiware

4 player co-op, Pokemon goodness! The Pro provides a serious advantage with the more efficient button placement and the handles make extended play much less of a chore when compared to the original. I found myself having an easier time navigating through crowds of enemies, pulling off more precise attacks, and cycling through my Pokemon when I desperately needed to change.

The Classic Controller Pro improves on all fronts that Nintendo intended it to. Action-oriented gameplay is much more comfortable, the new button arrangement is considerably more user friendly, and the cord being at the top removes an awkward previous feature. You might not notice the improvements when playing a slower, more strategic game- but it's still worth the entry price! Some recommended games would be: Super Smash Brothers Brawl, Monster Hunter Tri, TMNT: Smash Up, Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga, Tatsunoko Vs Capcom: Ultimate All Stars, Castlevania Judgment, and any Virtual Console games!