here's a pretty important note from planet gamecube -- something i dreamed about after seeing this controller (but thought it was too logical for nitnendo to actually do)
Eurogamer: How is the controller going to work with games that aren't designed specifically for the Revolution - multi-platform titles and so on?
Jim Merrick: We're producing a classic-style expansion controller, based on traditional designs like the Gamecube controller. It's like a shell with a hole in the top into which you slot the freehand-style controller, and then you can play third-party ported games, and retro Nintendo games you've downloaded.
So there's that option - but even while it's inserted into the classic-style shell, the freehand controller will still be able to sense positioning and so on, so there are more options too.
There's a lot more where that came from, so be sure to read the entire interview at Eurogamer!