​

Yahoo Auctions Japan had something unique pop up for sale recently: an item that appeared to be a early concept for the Nintendo Revolution’s controller, which would later go on to be known as the Wiimote. As far as the controller goes, there’s quite a few differences between it and the final model that we know of today. Its general shape remains the same, but the coloring is a light toned grey, while the buttons are dark grey. Notably, the prototype’s d-pad is exactly that of the Game Boy Advance SP’s, while the “1” and “2” buttons are labeled as “A” and “B”, using the same font from the GameCube. These controllers were not wireless, either, featuring a cord that plugs right into the GameCube’s controller port. Curiously, instead of a proprietary connector, the bottom of the controller sports a generic Ethernet port, which is what the accompanying WIP Nunchuck would click into. While the Nunchuck looks relatively unchanged, the Sensor Bar is far larger than what we saw bundled with the Nintendo Wii, and actually connects to the memory card slot on the GameCube. These three things were sold together with a dark teal Nintendo GameCube. Once pictures of the lot started making the rounds across the internet, multiple developers stated that they had remembered seeing this exact bundle, back before Nintendo had planned out the Nintendo Wii fully, and were still calling their beta console the Nintendo Revolution. The auction would go on to close for 74,000 Yen, which is about $700 USD.

 

[THEGUY3ds]

I’m guessing the motion controls would be really out of whack.

 

[Cubuss]

Same infra red on the wii mote as the joycon probaly dindt need a sensorbar to,

 

[RattletraPM]

Curiously, instead of a proprietary connector, the bottom of the controller sports a generic Ethernet port, which is what the accompanying WIP Nunchuck would click into.

Funny, especially considering how early Gamecube prototype controllers (the ones named DS5) and devkits used RJ11 jacks instead of the final gamepad ports...

 

[Plstic]

huh, I've had pictures of this for a long time now.

 

[Aletron9000]

Seems like it would be a mess of wires and complicated to use. But very cool

 

[eyeliner]

Curious to see if it had any software for it.

 

[radicalwookie]

Always love seeing things like these ^^

 

[Foxi4]

This isn't surprising in any way considering the fact that the Wii Remote was originally conceived as a Gamecube accessory and was only later reworked once the platform met its demise. Even the Wii itself is effectively a reworked Gamecube, many launch titles for the console were developed on suped up Gamecubes with extra RAM, for instance Metroid Prime 3.

 

[trigao]

what a wonderful piece

 

[RedoLane]

I'm gonna call it the "RevoMote"

 

[smf]

I'm sure there were pictures of this on assemblergames.com years ago.

Lots of things use 8P8C connectors, not just ethernet, it was designed for telecommunications wiring. It's wrong to say it's an ethernet port.

 

[Rabbid4240]

Wtf gamexplain covered this like a week ago.

 

[pustal]

View attachment 147825
View attachment 147826
​

Yahoo Auctions Japan had something unique pop up for sale recently: an item that appeared to be a early concept for the Nintendo Revolution’s controller, which would later go on to be known as the Wiimote. As far as the controller goes, there’s quite a few differences between it and the final model that we know of today. Its general shape remains the same, but the coloring is a light toned grey, while the buttons are dark grey. Notably, the prototype’s d-pad is exactly that of the Game Boy Advance SP’s, while the “1” and “2” buttons are labeled as “A” and “B”, using the same font from the GameCube. These controllers were not wireless, either, featuring a cord that plugs right into the GameCube’s controller port. Curiously, instead of a proprietary connector, the bottom of the controller sports a generic Ethernet port, which is what the accompanying WIP Nunchuck would click into. While the Nunchuck looks relatively unchanged, the Sensor Bar is far larger than what we saw bundled with the Nintendo Wii, and actually connects to the memory card slot on the GameCube. These three things were sold together with a dark teal Nintendo GameCube. Once pictures of the lot started making the rounds across the internet, multiple developers stated that they had remembered seeing this exact bundle, back before Nintendo had planned out the Nintendo Wii fully, and were still calling their beta console the Nintendo Revolution. The auction would go on to close for 74,000 Yen, which is about $700 USD.

The Ethernet port should be there because working with general standards is easier for development. I wouldn't be surprised if the Wiimote expansion port is a chopped off version of an Ethernet standard. Anyone here that ever had the trouble of mapping the port could shed some light on this?

 

[Thulinma]

The Ethernet port should be there because working with general standards is easier for development. I wouldn't be surprised if the Wiimote expansion port is a chopped off version of an Ethernet standard. Anyone here that ever had the trouble of mapping the port could shed some light on this?

It uses an I2C pinout, a generic standard for add-on devices. The connector is proprietary, though.

 

[FateForWindows]

Anyone getting an error trying to view the two newest news posts?

 

[SG854]

Anyone getting an error trying to view the two newest news posts?

You're not allowed to see it. It's only for cool people. You're not cool enough. Sorry Bro.

 

[banjo2]

I've always wanted my Wii remote connected to the 'net

That DLC, man

Spoiler

Yes, I read the above posts explaining that.

 

[Captain_N]

I would have guessed it would have sold more. Prototypes like that usually go for alot. I would have got it for 700 easy

 

[phreaksho]

Saw this earlier, it's neat