A QA tester for Traveller's Tales, the developers behind Lego Harry Potter, Lego Star Wars, Lego Batman, and more, has leaked an image on Twitter picturing a revised version of the Nintendo Wii U controller. "Nintendo fanboys alert: look what we have at work! #BoysAndTheirToys," read the message tweeted along with the image.
As Joystiq, GamesRadar and other publications have eagerly pointed out, the new Wii U tablet controller features a few minor modifications. The most noticeable alteration is that Nintendo seems to have replaced the nubs used on the Nintendo 3DS controller with actual analogue sticks. Moreover, Nintendo also seems to have reconsidered the design of the controller and moved the start and select buttons over to the right side of the controller. Meanwhile, a small square button has been added just below the directional pad, potentially designed to sync up the controller to the Wii U console. The purpose of that button is not certain at this point.
Lastly, the new controller is now complete with the Wii U branding, which may indicate that Nintendo will keep the name rather than change it, as previous rumors suggested earlier this year. Again, it is not clear at this point whether the leaked image of the revised controller pictures a development model or the final design.
Back in September 2011, a report from 01.net cited sources claiming that "the final [Wii U] architecture has been rushed through the door, with undesirable consequences," as ComputerAndVideoGames points out. Such consequences reportedly included "inadequate streaming and wireless functionality." The publication's sources claimed at the time that Nintendo is in "development hell" with the Wii U, because the controllers supplied to developers "still don't work properly." The insiders also mentioned issues with the Wii U console's ability to stream wirelessly to the tablet. Moreover, an Ubisoft video leaked last month indicated that the Wii U tablet controller may not a fully wireless peripheral, as it was originally billed.
Various suspect devices have surfaced online recently, but this image seems like the real deal. The tweet, however, was pulled shortly after being posted, and Nintendo made no comment on the incident. Perhaps someone got in trouble?
On the other hand, until the official unveiling it is very difficult to tell what is certain and what is bogus. The E3 games expo will soon kick off in Los Angeles on June 5 to June 7, and will likely bring lots of fresh details and a great launch line-up. Nintendo used the E3 stage to launch the Wii U last year.
