The Wii U Pro Controller is a successor to the Wii's Classic Controller and features the standard analog sticks, buttons and triggers. The Pro Controller was unveiled at E3 in 2012, with some criticisms of being similar in design to the XBox 360's controller, to which Reggie Fils-Aime responded with the following statement.
"Fundamentally, ergonomically, it's driven by what feels good in the hand. The controller has been in development for quite some time, and it's based on feedback that, for certain games and for certain experiences, that type of controller offers a richer experience."
The controller appears to feature an internal battery, charged through a Mini USB port on the top of the device.
Features
The Wii U Pro Controller is a traditional dual-analog gamepad, designed for to offer classic controls for certain games. It doesn't offer any of the features of the Wii U GamePad except traditional controls.
Button and Analog Inputs
The Wii U Pro Controller features the same button and analog inputs seen on the Wii U GamePad. It has two analog sticks, four face buttons, and four shoulder buttons, as well as home, power, start, and select buttons. Like the GamePad, the Pro Controller's shoulder buttons appear to be digital, including the triggers, unlike those found on the Xbox 360 GamePad.
Bluetooth
Unlike its predecessor, the Classic Controller, the Wii U GamePad can be tied to the system through bluetooth without having to be connected to an additional remote. This makes it a true wireless controller, and an easier companion to the system than the Classic Controller, which awkwardly had to be connected to an additional Wiimote to be used.
