Nintendo Wii Classic Controller Pro Shipping This April, Price $19.99, $59.99 With Bundle

Today Nintendo announced that it will be shipping the Wii Classic Controller Pro to the United States this spring. The controller will be sold separately in both black and white for $19.99 and in a bundle with Monster Hunter Tri this April for $59.99.

Previously only available in Japan, the Wii Classic Controller Pro, pictured above in black, is Nintendo's second classic-style controller for the Wii. Revealed last February on Nintendo of Japan's website, the Classic Controller Pro moves the ZL and ZR buttons into a vertical arrangement, adds a pair of grips, and spreads the two analog sticks a bit farther apart--similar to Sony's DualShock line of controllers.

The inclusion of a wire points out that it will connect to a Wii Remote just like the original Classic Controller, instead of being a separate wireless controller.

In addition to purchasing either a white or black controller separately for $19.99, Nintendo also announced that Wii owners will have the option of buying a Classic Controller Pro as part of a bundle with Capcom's upcoming Monster Hunter Tri this April for $59.99.

Nintendo recently identified Monster Hunter Tri as a key title for 2010, signing a deal that will make the Big N responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of the game.

Last April, The Wiire polled its readers on the Wii Classic Controller Pro, with a majority of people (61%) either not interested in a Classic Controller of any kind, or felt that the Classic Controller Pro didn't offer enough new functionality to warrant a replacement of the original.

Clearly, Nintendo is flexing their marketing muscle for Monster Hunter Tri with this bundle boost. Will it help? Will you purchase a Wii Classic Controller Pro? Sound off in the comments below.