The Wii U Pro controller feels very familiar to anyone who has ever held the post-Duke Xbox or Xbox 360 controller, or even the Wii Classic Controller Pro - with one major issue: the sticks sit above the buttons. Thank you Nintendo, that boosts my rating up to a 9! :).
With the Pro Controller, you're doing everything right, just SUPPORT your own piece of hardware! :)-Update Nov 29, 2013:One year after my review, Super Mario 3D World arrived, maybe one of the best Mario adventures of all time - and it's got native Pro Controller support! They even released a Patch (1.3) for New Super Mario Bros U some while ago, which added Pro Controller support as well. But Nintendo, I believe in you, you can still fix this. I thought that problem is now finally solved with the Wii U and the Pro Controller. The classic controller was not really supported by major games. Don't get me wrong, the WiiMote as a new experience was interesting, but it just does not work as a game pad replacement. So I give a 6, which will be upgraded if the support for the controller will be extended.I did not buy the Wii for this exact reason: Gamepad. Having a great controller on a great Nintendo console again (I had them all since NES, except the SNES and the Wii), was one of the main reasons for buying a Wii U. ZombiU does not support the Pro Controller in single player mode at all.So how do I rate the controller? Hmm hard to say.
If you try the single player mode, no chance. Well it is compatible - in multiplayer mode. Try to play the zombie game with the Pro Controller (the package says the Pro Controller is compatible, and it's even packed in the Wii U ZombiU package). The Pro Controller is a great piece of hardware, so let's use it.Another example: ZombiU. The WiiMote is an ergonomic nightmare when held horizontally and the gamepad needs juice after 3-5 hours.
How can they not support their own reference games like Super Mario Bros U? Hey Nintendo, please, please release an Update for Pro Controller Support for your own software titles. It's the lack of support that's bad.For example, It is not compatible with New Super Mario Bros U.
Yeah it lacks analog sticks on the back, but as I am not a racing gamer, I don't really care about this.So everything great, yeah? Unfortunately, no. Very ergonomic, responsive and it holds for ages (well ok, hours, but many of them! Officially, 80hrs).
The Pro Controller hardware is absolutely great.