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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 Frenchman]

I just wish that the PS3 boomerang would somehow "fly" into the wild.

 

[MaxiBash]

Ah, yeah!
I saw this one on GameXplain!
I really don't know what was the point of having an internet connection on a Wiimote is.
Very interesting, indeed.

 

[ry755]

I really don't know what was the point of having an internet connection on a Wiimote is.

The Ethernet connector is used for the Nunchuck, not internet

 

[The Real Jdbye]

That dark teal GameCube looks good. Brings a whole new meaning to "Wii is just GC 1.5". I bet you'd be able to run Wii homebrew on it with relative ease. After all, a lot of Wii homebrew was ported for GC with Wiimote support added and a new GUI and not a whole lot else, those changes should be easily portable back to GC.

Using an RJ-45 port actually makes a lot of sense. They are cheap, easily available, and the cable can lock onto the port, just like the actual extension port, which I suspect is the reason they used it. Plus they have enough pins for most purposes.

 

[jeffyTheHomebrewer]

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, mamy launch titles for the console were developed on suped up Gamecubes with extra RAM, for instance Metroid Prime 3.

so some wii games were made using a gc on steroids. got it!

 

[UltraDolphinRevolution]

Have a look at these early prototypes:
The one on the left might be superior to the final product. The button that is surrounded by four others is a smart layout.

 

[DinohScene]

Final product barely changed from the prototype.
Interesting to see.

I remember hearing motion controls being rumoured to come to GCN.

 

[KevinLSX]

Has no one been on assembler? Theres been pics of these for years now

 

[netovsk]

Ok that ethernet cable has to be for debugging purposes. At times I have a hard time keeping it in contact with my stationary consoles, let alone with a moving Wiimote.