Prototype Wii Controllers

I recently found an interesting article about what could have been early plans for the Nintendo Wii controllers.

At aussie-nintendo.com, they just posted an article about a technology from Gyration which shows two video game controllers. If they are combined, they look like the Playstation controllers except that the handles are longer. The right side is detached from the left side so that the left part includes those two analog controllers with it. Therefore, it looked like an L-shaped controller. Meanwhile, the right handle has the same shape as the Wii Remote except it is curved and has a different button layout. The right side was called a “Gyropod.”

Gyration actually owns the most motion-sensor patents according to the article.

The prototype controllers were designed back in 2001 when the previous consoles which are Xbox, Playstation 2, and Gamecube had just been released.

I think that the Wii controllers that we have right now have a better design and I think they look and function better too. I think the left side of the prototype controller looks unusable unlike the Nunchuk where you can use it with one hand.

I also think that Nintendo made a great decision to delay this type of controller until they released their next console after the Gamecube.

What do you think about this? Do you prefer this design or the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers?