Hardware Thrustmaster moving into third party controllers?

[FAST6191]

Full story here:
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/09/17/th...ii_peripherals/
and here:
http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.pht...-Pack-Wii.phtml

Apologies if I overlooked this somewhere else but it seems thrustmaster has started on 3rd party controllers for the Wii (first to my knowledge). Perhaps more interesting than that is that they claim it is programmable (macros and "slow" (my money goes on the rapid start button concept that has been around for longer than I have)).
It apparently clocks £20 in the UK

They are also punting some of the covers that turn the controllers into other things.


My entire gaming "career" I have rarely played with 3rd party pads that was even on par with the official offerings (megadrive was probably the only time it came close to beating it). Thrustmaster have done some stuff before though that is pretty good so I am hoping I can be pleasantly surprised.

 

[rhyguy]

That looks pretty cool

 

[jalaneme]

yeah i'm thinking of getting this because i need a wireless gamecube pad and the officials ones are expensive still.

 

[WrathofGod]

Is this just in uk as its showing pounds not dollars :'(

 

[soapstar]

Look very good!!!
If the controller is not to expensive, i'm really gonna buy it.
The layout of the controlls look a bit like the PS2/PS3 controller, which I'm used to

 

[berrrt]

nice. i'm gonna buy this. it's awesome that you can use it for gamecube and vc games.

 

[Remy669]

I think i'll get the controller. Since the Wavebirds are nowhere to find around here

 

[Maikel Steneker]

I think i'll get the controller. Since the Wavebirds are nowhere to find around here

Hey, I recognize you from another site where you just called me an idiot

OK, I hope this link will make it even: http://www.bramhoo.nl .
They sell an official wavebird for 35 euros.

About this third party thing: I already have the Wavebird and original controller, but maybe I'll buy one of these when it's cheap. It looks like it might be nice for some games, and it's a wireless controller with rumble! On top of that, I really like the programmable buttons.
It just doesn't look comfortable though. The normal Gamecube controller was perfect. But that may just be me...

 

[GhostHawk]

I am waiting for the 5-in-1 Ultimate Racing Ferrari Steering Wheel from Thrustmaster. It works with all the great consoles and the PC as well. Damn Thrustmaster will not reply to my eMails about availability in the US though.