The Wiimote prototype with the nunchuck is auctioned in Japan … For GameCube?

The development of the revolutionary Wii Remote – or rather its idea – began in 2001, approximately five years before the launch of the console itself, and was even on the verge of being released for its predecessor. Now, that piece of history that was never put up for auction in Japan.

This rarity appeared through Yahoo Japan auctions (via Ars Technica) and was sold for 74,000 yen, about 580 euros at current exchange rates. However, its design has notable differences: on the one hand, this peripheral uses cables; on the other they are connected to the GameCube.

During the bidding, this item was described as the prototype for the Nintendo Wii motion sensors . Of course, if we look at its cable we will see that it was connected to the console ports like those mythical controls.

In addition, along with this strange Wiimote, a nunchuck that connected to the base is also included, although its port was very different from what we saw in the final version.

And even the movement bar , which was much larger than the final model and had to be associated with the GameCube through the memory card slot.

In fact, along with the device itself, the interface of the GameCube itself has been shown, as well as the status of the command and nunchuk.

I knew that it wouldn’t work, so I hadn’t checked the operation until now, but I just came here, so please watch the video for the time being. pic.twitter.com/aMI505yq3K

— Spema RP (@spmrp)

And, judging from the images offered by the seller, the motion sensor set is in impeccable condition.

Now, to what extent can we be before one of the real peripherals? The truth is that since the auction began to make noise, several close friends to the Revolution project, which would end up being the Wii, have claimed to recognize them and even to have used them .

As with James Montagna by WayForward

Wow, it’s the prototype Wii Remote & Nunchuk! I remember seeing these back when it was still known as the Nintendo Revolution! https://t.co/wsl6mFXvrc

— James at Sea II (@JamesPopStar)

Chris Kohler de Kotaku

Oh, this is holy grail level – the Wiimote prototype that was used with GameCube. I played with one of these once! https://t.co/RUkNKqkwGn

— TK SCARY NAME (@kobunheat)

Or indie developer and promoter Nic Magnier

Wow! Somebody got their hands on the Wii remotes early versions that was running o. Gamecube. That’s wild.

I remember this version. It already had motion sensors but was wired so you really had to be careful when playing with it. https://t.co/IrLHoYV7jB

— Nic plays RDR2 (@NicMagnier)

In fact, this was not the last version of the “GameCube Wiimote” , as Nintendo continued working on the design making changes while keeping the console cable. Some do not remember this version of the hand, but they did have access to the next one, with minor changes.

Sure thing! It’s not as cool as the GameCube one, but it’s the next step in the evolution of the wiimote design. Aside from the fact that it’s not wireless, the only difference is that it has pause and back buttons instead of the + and – buttons that the final controller has. pic.twitter.com/cVBVTwNgJP

— David (@Zidapi)

In this other design, for example, we see details such as a flat trigger and a lower and stretched general appearance compared to the final version that we would see in 2006.

Here’s a more advanced Wii Remote prototype. Overall, they’re wider than the final Wii Remote + not as long. The B button is flat, and not hooked like a trigger. It uses Century Gothic font for the button labels. How many other differences can you spot? There’s quite a few! pic.twitter.com/WlhIvCZoUQ

— James at Sea II (@JamesPopStar)

He even considered adding a pause button and another backspace to both the motion-sensing controller and the classic Wii remote.

Never before documented anywhere online that I’ve seen, so perhaps it’s newsworthy; prototype Wii controllers had PAUSE / BACK buttons instead of + / – Buttons! I took these pictures of the controllers Nintendo used at E3 2006. pic.twitter.com/TMl6bkIzXn

— James at Sea II (@JamesPopStar)

Nintendo was totally right with its idea of motion sensors , and beyond the technological achievement it was the gateway for sectors that, a priori, were not so interested in video games.

A transgressive spirit that we continue to see on Switch with titles such as Nintendo Labo or Super Mario party thanks to the magic of the Joy Cons.