Hardware How Would You Rate The Wii-U Pro Controller?

[gokuguy]

Long story short, I've searched for a controller that I could use for at least 90% of the games I play for years now. I tried PS2, and its okay, but it doesn't feel right when playing Nintendo's console titles. I then went to a 360 controller which has been the best thus far, but its D-pad is terrible and they wear out too quickly (I've been through 3 while I've had the same PS2 controller for many years now. I'm not THAT rough on controllers.)

I'm now looking into a Wii-U Pro Controller. I'd like to ask you all, how would you rate the Wii-U Pro Controller as far as quality and battery life goes?

In addition, to anyone who has gotten a USB reciever for one, how is the connection between it and the controller?

 

[ApolloCheese]

I really like the pro controller, i don't have usb controller.
+ battery life (about 30h)
+ durable
+ comfortable
+ d-pad is good (same as gamepad)
- no headset jack
- no analog triggers (doesnt matter for wii u games...yet[project cars?])
- position of hands for analog stick (i.e. playing mk8 and naturally pressing to left/right is not a full tilt)

 

[gokuguy]

I really like the pro controller, i don't have usb controller.
+ battery life (about 30h)
+ durable
+ comfortable
+ d-pad is good (same as gamepad)
- no headset jack
- no analog triggers (doesnt matter for wii u games...yet[project cars?])
- position of hands for analog stick (i.e. playing mk8 and naturally pressing to left/right is not a full tilt)

Sounds pretty good. I don't need a headset jack (I only use my PC for chat, and I have a separate headset for that), and I'm sure I would get used to the position my hands must be in to play with the controller. The "no analog triggers" is kinda a letdown, but I really can't think of any titles that I'd benefit from having the feature for anyway. This seems like it would actually be more convenient for Shooters and games like them.

 

[darkseekerliu]

Wii u pro controller feels very confortable. It has almost the same size as Xbox 360 one, but it lacks of analog triggers, but for emulators it is great. You won't regret. Go for it.

 

[DarkFlare69]

The pro controller is excellent. It fits really well in my hands. You won't be disappointed.

 

[WiiCube_2013]

7/10

+ Comfortable
+ Over 80 hours of durability
+ Great for Wii U games that actually use it (not all Wii U games use but most try to)
- No analogue triggers
- Right analogue stick on the right top
- Buttons on the bottom right
- Very glossy (but if you buy a silicone cover it'll make it a lot better)

There's games that have no reason to be GamePad-only but this comes down to the developers being too lazy to make it compatible with the Wii U Pro Controller.

- no analog triggers (doesnt matter for wii u games...yet[project cars?])

It does matter but since Nintendo fucked that up the developers had to work with the piece of shit digital triggers.

 

[Sheldon392]

One thing is that unlike the xbox, the pro controller has dome top control sticks, where as the xbox controller has concave tops (which I really hate). I guess the dual shocks are dome topped as well so it should be hard to get used to.

 

[shinkodachi]

I guess the dual shocks are dome topped as well so it should be hard to get used to.

Only the first three generations of the Dualshock are that way. Starting with the Dualshock 4, the analog joysticks have a "concave" top.

 

[WiiCube_2013]

Only the first three generations of the Dualshock are that way. Starting with the Dualshock 4, the analog joysticks have a "concave" top.

It's a lot better and much less slippery than the "popped" tops.

 

[shinkodachi]

It's a lot better and much less slippery than the "popped" tops.

Problem is, it's still very slippery. I don't feel Nintendo's analog joysticks are slippery on the Wii U Pro Controller and that has a smooth surface. The textured tops on the Dualshock 4 actually make it slippery, the "concave" design makes it feel just a tad better. Other than that, the Dualshock 4 is a great controller, except for its horrible battery life.

 

[WiiCube_2013]

Now that I remember the Wii U GamePad/ProController aren't really concave'd tops they're similar to the DualShock 3 but I've not had problems with it although I'd certainly have preferred if Nintendo tried to stick to the GameCube and improve from there on than initiating themselves on something they'd ruin it.

Seriously, if the Wii U was the chosen console of all hardcore gamers (as they had planned) this generation did Nintendo think they'd get away with the shittiness of that is the GamePad and Pro Controller? Meh, they're passable. WUPC is pretty all right, I'll give you that.

Just make the GameCube controller compatible with Wii and Wii U games and call it a day, Nintendo. That is all.

 

[shinkodachi]

Seriously, if the Wii U was the chosen console of all hardcore gamers (as they had planned) this generation did Nintendo think they'd get away with the shittiness of that is the GamePad and Pro Controller? Meh, they're passable. WUPC is pretty all right, I'll give you that.

The one mistake Nintendo made was to release the Classic Controller for the Wii. That was the beginning of the end:

1. Classic Controller was designed to clip on to a Wiimote, making it cumbersome ("wireless" and "wired" at the same time) and dumb
2. It forewent analog triggers with the Classic Controller Pro redesign
3. Developers were divided on controller support, as some games (e.g. Sonic Colors) play better with a GameCube controller vs. Classic Controller
4. Later Wii models and the Wii mini dropped support for the GameCube controller, leaving only space for the mediocre Classic Controller...
5. ...only to be superseded by the Wii U Pro Controller that is much of the same with a few design tweaks, but this time truly wireless operation

In hindsight, I think this is what Nintendo should've done and the huge popularity of Nintendo's GameCube Controller Adapter underlines it:

1. Have only the GameCube controller alongside the Wiimote (which started out as an accessory for the GameCube anyway)
2. Never forego analog triggers, add a second Z-button and improve the D-pad (calling it the "New GameCube Controller")
3. Incorporate WaveBird transmitters inside the Wii U and/or create a "New WaveBird Controller" with Bluetooth support
4. Enable Off TV Play and second screen capabilities for the 3DS and never make the Wii U GamePad
5. Print unlimited money and stick it to Sony and Microsoft

It didn't hurt Sony to keep the same controller design for three generations and improving the existing design for the latest generation model. Why fix what's not broken? Wii Classic Controller was/is very broken compared to the GameCube controller. And if Nintendo can get away with adding a nipple and ZL/ZR buttons to the 3DS and call it the "New Nintendo 3DS", I don't see why fans wouldn't get wet in their pants for a "New GameCube Controller" with a small redesign.

 

[TecXero]

Pro controller is great and easily one of my favourites. It only loses out to the GameCube Wavebird controller and the Xbox's original phat controller. Now the Classic and Classic Pro controllers are mediocre at best and I wouldn't recommend them.

 

[orcid]

It's the best controller. I use it instead of my Dualshock 2 und my xbox controller (PC).
I disagree that "No analogue triggers" and "Right analogue stick on the right top" is a contra. Both is great for shooter and I don't play racing games.

 

[WiiCube_2013]

It's the best controller. I use it instead of my Dualshock 2 und my xbox controller (PC).
I disagree that "No analogue triggers" and "Right analogue stick on the right top" is a contra. Both is great for shooter and I don't play racing games.

The only Nintendo game that comes close to being a shooter is Splatoon and that isn't out yet.

Nintendo isn't a shooting-focused platform and thank fucking god for that so yeah, no reason to make such a terrible layout for the gamers who're going to use it.

 

[PascalLeroi]

What I really don't get, is why people are moaning that the right stick above buttons is not good. It isn't like you can push those buttons at the same time as you use the right stick, isn't it? I'm not bashing anything, I just honestly don't understand all that hate for the stick placement Maybe it is just a matter of preference, but if it isn't, would someone care to explain it to me?
Thank you very much

 

[WiiCube_2013]

It doesn't tend to feel natural but if you've gotten used to it then that's different.

 

[thorasgar]

Something about old dogs and new tricks.

 

[Sheldon392]

Maybe it is just a matter of preference, but if it isn't, would someone care to explain it to me?

I came from the Gamecube and Xbox, both have the right stick below the buttons, it was a little bit of an adjustment for me as well to go to sticks on top. The classic controller and the dual shocks have sticks below the buttons and the d-pad so everything is just a matter of preference and what you are used to.

 

[WiiCube_2013]

I came from the Gamecube and Xbox, both have the right stick below the buttons, it was a little bit of an adjustment for me as well to go to sticks on top. The classic controller and the dual shocks have sticks below the buttons and the d-pad so everything is just a matter of preference and what you are used to.

Yeah, GameCube and Xbox are the reason why the Wii U Pro Controller's layout feels so weird and out of place plus Nintendo is almost all about platformers so no point to have the right analogue stick on the top when the buttons are a lot more important.

If Xbox had the right analogue stick on the top it'd make sense since the games that are mostly played are either racing or shooting both of which make use of the right stick.