The word is official: The Wii Fighting Stick will be available in the U.S. November 6th at Gamestop for $49.99.
It has also been confirmed by
Hori that it is to be functionally interchangeable with the Classic Controller, meaning that VC games and Smash Bros. are a go.
The joystick does require the Wiimote to be connected. But unlike the Classic Controller, the Fighting Stick Wii has an individual turbo switch for each button, which enables button pressing at 20 times per second. A little cheap, but hey, can your friends say they're fighting with a stick? Also, $50 is pretty reasonable for an arcade stick of any quality.
While us Americans are gawking (or ignoring) at this, Europe seems to have already gotten this peripheral on shelves according to Amazon.co.uk. Online pre-orders are availble through
Gamestop here.
SW33T!
AMAZING!
I don't think it would be good for Smash, maybe Guilty Gear of Street Fighter 2!
Now I have no excuse to pick this up when it comes out. Specifically all the VC games I can play with it.
Thanks for the update.
We do know that it IS compatible with Smash, although you are right in being skeptical that it might not be good, per se.
But hey give the Wii some more quality fighters and I'll drop the $$