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[KillGore]

So let me just ask you and EO: What do YOU think they would have to do to get third parties back on board/

If I knew that I would be CEO of Nintendo, now wouldn't I? I'm not saying this idea will fail, don't get me wrong, but personally I don't think many hardcore gamers will just move to a Nintendo console just because they created this controller, at least those who already have a 360 and/or PS3.

The first thing I would definitely do is change the name of the console and stop trying to ride the Wii's success. You want to start fresh and attract third party devs and hardcore gamers? give it a new name (like they've done before).

The second thing I would do is not make a console that is handicapped in one area like past nintendo consoles have. The N64 was using cartridges when everyone else was still with CDs. The Gamecube was using discs that could hold how much? 2gb? didn't the competition have DVDs that could hold almost 5gb of data? The wii had its focus on waggle and had pretty bad online when compared to others. It also tried to capture casual gamers (and succeeded) which made hardcore gamers run away from it.

Basically make a console that has a great online, good storage, great media, same graphics as competitors AND add that special thing (which in this case is the touchscreen in the controller). Also don't market it as a casual system. Nintendo needs to hope that Sony nor Microsoft will make a really powerful console.

Edit: This, definitely this:

I'm sure most Nintendo games will opt to use the WiiPad, but I'm sure many third-party multiplatform games will let you use Pro Pad or the WiiPad. Even if they do choose to add some touch screen features, I wouldn't be surprised if they let you play the game in non-touchscreen mode, as if you were playing on the PS3 or 360.

Force third party devs to at least put some use on the touchscreen but still allow us to play games without it.

 

[Roo]

So we've got this controller, the WiiU tablet, the wiimote (with or without nunchuck) and the Wii Classic Controller.

There is such a thing as too much choice, and this isn't going to help devs make the leap to support the console.

not really...
I'm sure the Wii Classic Controller/Pro will be relegated mostly (if not only) for Wii games
and merely for BC purposes.

There's just no reason to use it for Wii U games when you already have the WUGP and the WUPC.

As for the Wiimote and Nunchuk, sadly, I can see these sharing the same fate.

 

[Adam Prime]

Can I just use my Classic Controller Pro ?

 

[The Lamp]

I think they only did this since the system only supports 2 tablet controllers.

If the standard becomes:

1 player games:
WiiU Tablet controller

Multiplayer games:
Any combination of WiiU Tablet controller or WiiU Pro controller, or Wii Remote with Classic Controller

Then I will be totally happy. Nintendo will have their gimmick satisfied with making a tablet, and I'll have what I want with a traditional button scheme.

 

[linkboy]

I think they only did this since the system only supports 2 tablet controllers.

Bingo, you nailed it.

Really don't get why this is going over people's heads.

This controller enables everyone who is playing local multi-player to all have the exact same button layout.

The previous option was to force two people to use Wiimotes.

 

[MrGame&Watch]

This controller is very important to players who like games such as Call of Duty, big "pro controller" games which make bucketloads of money for quite a few people. Yes, there are a lot of casual gamers emerging because of iOS and mobile gaming and Wii playing, but they're a very, very different audience. Both groups of people can make a lot of money for investors.

I agree somewhat, but I don't believe this controller will sway COD gamers much nor third parties. It's content that's king, and the Wii never had the right content for those types of gamers. Gamers will have no problem playing COD on the Wii U Gamepad.

 

[LegendofJoe]

The only two controllers people are going to focus on are the tablet and the Pro controller.

The Wiimote is hardly going to be used and is mainly supported for BC and nobody will give a crap about the Classic Controller.

I still think a Wiimote will be packaged with the system, if only to have it available just in case someone wants to develop a game with it in mind.

 

[KevinCow]

I couldn't have said it better myself. This is exactly how I feel, and I'm just confused at the path Nintendo is taking. Now we're going to get port after port after lazy port, until the nextbox (and/or PS4) is out and then there would be no reason to even buy third party games for Wii U since it won't have anything special. It'll be a "last gen" looking third party game that won't even use the touchscreen.

Nintendo will still make games that utilize the touch screen.

Third-parties who want to use the touch screen can, but aren't obligated to do so. It would be worse if the Wii U didn't get any of those games because the developers didn't want to spend the extra time developing new touch screen functions, or if it got games that utilized the touch screen poorly because developers were forced to use it.

The WiiPad will still be standard with the system, so it's not like a peripheral that nobody will use because they can't be sure if people will have them. Similarly, the Pro Pad won't suffer the same problem as the Wii Classic Controller, because it has button parity with the main controller. I'm sure most Nintendo games will opt to use the WiiPad, but I'm sure many third-party multiplatform games will let you use Pro Pad or the WiiPad. Even if they do choose to add some touch screen features, I wouldn't be surprised if they let you play the game in non-touchscreen mode, as if you were playing on the PS3 or 360.


Anyway, even disregarding multiplatform stuff, this controller was a necessity. They didn't want to make people buy $100+ controllers to play multiplayer games, and it sounds like the console wouldn't even be capable of handling four of them at once anyway. I've been saying since last E3 that they'd release a controller without a touch screen for these reasons.

 

[Teknoman]

lol I have no idea why I find this funny.

 

[ghostmind]

But many people don't want to keep generations of consoles around in their living rooms....

I could see this to be true if the Wii were the size of the other two consoles, or used the same video interconnects, but in this case I could easily see a Wii (Composite/Component) and a WiiU (HDMI) coexisting in the living room. Hell, you could probably stack them.

 

[Vane_MagicCity]

Common sense would suggest that the system will come in black as well.

Well, they had like 5 colors for the Wii when they first showed it and we only got white for years. The 3DS had more colors too and we got Blue and Black to choose from. What they show now doesn't mean much. I would bet that there will be a black one but no white one at launch.

 

[civilstrife]

Calling it now:

2 SKUs.

White, no external harddrive, one pad, one wiimote in box
Black, external harddrive included, one pad, one controller pro in box.

 

[def sim]

That layout is weird, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. That d-pad certainly looks better than what the 360 version offered.

 

[smr00]

So i sat on it for awhile, kept thinking and debating to myself and i just don't like the analog layout design, it just looked really uncomfortable and i don't understand why on earth they would do this, why not just go for the Wii Classic Controller style? where it's basically placed like the DS2/DS3?

Because i love nintendo i will give it a try and since i haven't used one (obviously) i will just leave it at i don't like the design they went with. I have smallish hands which mean smaller fingers so to me it just looks like a bad time waiting in terms of finger pain/cramping.

 

[Amir0x]

Calling it now:

2 SKUs.

White, no external harddrive, one pad in box
Black, external harddrive included, one pad, one controller pro in box.

man what

if anything any 'additive' SKU would include a wiimote, not a controller pro. The controller pro will be sold separately, just like the wii special controller.

 

[Eusis]

Having said that, I think it is unwise to have 2 different types of controllers meant to be used at the same time. It would neuter the Upad as it wouldn't be fair for the first player to have a second screen and no one else. It's would be like the SNES having one SNES controller and the other controller be an NES controller. I am not explaining myself very well but this seems like a bad idea.

I think it's fine, it's still valid for single player use, or unique concepts for multiplayer like the E3 demo last year showed. Just don't bother with allowing it for traditional 4 player games.

 

[linkboy]

I agree somewhat, but I don't believe this controller will sway COD gamers much nor third parties. It's content that's king, and the Wii never had the right content for those types of gamers. Gamers will have no problem playing COD on the Wii U Gamepad.

Except the Wii U will only support two of the tablet controllers, which really limits multi-player options.

This controller address that issue.

 

[Esiquio]

Create a market that would support the type of audience that play Call of Duty.

Some ideas

1. Create a separate brand for edgier titles
2. Have Retro or some studio at Nintendo create one of these types of titles
3. Buy some exclusives/timed exclusives

Honestly though, if they can recapture the casual market where it is(f2p, social games, mobile) then it doesn't need these types of consumers. I suggest they try for both though.

Pretty much. You should work at Nintendo.

Spoiler

NOJ wouldn't go for it

 

[AlphaTwo00]

man what

if anything any 'additive' SKU would include a wiimote, not a controller pro. The controller pro will be sold separately, just like the wii special controller.

Yes and no? Your early adopters will be hardcore nintendo fans, who probably has a Wii, and will have Wiimotes lying around. Why would they need more?

 

[linkboy]

So i sat on it for awhile, kept thinking and debating to myself and i just don't like the analog layout design, it just looked really uncomfortable and i don't understand why on earth they would do this, why not just go for the Wii Classic Controller style? where it's basically placed like the DS2/DS3?

Because i love nintendo i will give it a try and since i haven't used one (obviously) i will just leave it at i don't like the design they went with.

Because this controller is essentially the tablet controller without a screen. They're keeping the layout the same between the tablet and this controller.

Switching to another layout for the Pro controller would defeat the whole point of the controller. You have to change both of them or leave them the same.

 

[KillGore]

Anyway, even disregarding multiplatform stuff, this controller was a necessity. They didn't want to make people buy $100+ controllers to play multiplayer games, and it sounds like the console wouldn't even be capable of handling four of them at once anyway. I've been saying since last E3 that they'd release a controller without a touch screen for these reasons.

They should have marketed this just for local multiplayer games but I still want my exclusive touchscreen features in single player games.

 

[NIGHT-]

Dual Shock is still king for me

disgusting...

 

[MrGame&Watch]

Pretty much. You should work at Nintendo.

Spoiler

NOJ wouldn't go for it

Right? They probably didn't even look at my application

 

[LegendofJoe]

Yes and no? Your early adopters will be hardcore nintendo fans, who probably has a Wii, and will have Wiimotes lying around. Why would they need more?

To ensure developer support that's why, otherwise the prospect of developers making games that utilize the features of the Wiimote will go out the window.

 

[davepoobond]

where are all the people who were wishing for the face buttons to switch spots with an analog stick like nintendo just did? i never would have guessed there'd be MORE people complaining otherwise.


and yeah, dual shock is still the best, kiddies.



the wii u is going to have:

1 pro controller
1 tablet controller
1 wii controller


and its going to be 499

 

[Solune]

Can I just use my Classic Controller Pro ?

I hope so cause this thing is hideous

 

[BlackJace]

If I knew that I would be CEO of Nintendo, now wouldn't I? I'm not saying this idea will fail, don't get me wrong, but personally I don't think many hardcore gamers will just move to a Nintendo console just because they created this controller, at least those who already have a 360 and/or PS3.

The first thing I would definitely do is change the name of the console and stop trying to ride the Wii's success. You want to start fresh and attract third party devs and hardcore gamers? give it a new name (like they've done before).

The second thing I would do is not make a console that is handicapped in one area like past nintendo consoles have. The N64 was using cartridges when everyone else was still with CDs. The Gamecube was using discs that could hold how much? 2gb? didn't the competition have DVDs that could hold almost 5gb of data? The wii had its focus on waggle and had pretty bad online when compared to others. It also tried to capture casual gamers (and succeeded) which made hardcore gamers run away from it.

Basically make a console that has a great online, good storage, great media, same graphics as competitors AND add that special thing (which in this case is the touchscreen in the controller). Also don't market it as a casual system. Nintendo needs to hope that Sony nor Microsoft will make a really powerful console.

Not a bad answer. Sure it sounds easy enough to do, but Ninty does their own thing, and it does prove to be worth their while

 

[Emitan]

Can I just use my Classic Controller Pro ?

Not if a game requires clicking sticks or analog triggers (maybe)

 

[AlphaTwo00]

To ensure developer support that's why, otherwise the prospect of developers making games that utilize the features of the Wiimote will go out the window.

Right, I totally forgot that most may not even have motion plus on the Wiimote.

Safe to assume that when Nintendo talks of Wiimote, they mean the ones with MotionPlus embedded?

 

[Speevy]

So is this the official Too Human controller?

 

[Vane_MagicCity]

I think it's fine, it's still valid for single player use, or unique concepts for multiplayer like the E3 demo last year showed. Just don't bother with allowing it for traditional 4 player games.

I can already hear the kids fighting over who gets the Upad.

 

[remnant]

This thread is pathetic. People honestly can't see why this controller exists?

The Pad can't hook 4 players to the screen at the same time. Not making this controller substantially hampers local multi-player.

 

[smr00]

Because this controller is essentially the tablet controller without a screen. They're keeping the layout the same between the tablet and this controller.

Switching to another layout for the Pro controller would defeat the whole point of the controller. You have to change both of them or leave them the same.

It's going to feel completely different regardless of style.

one is a giant tablet one is a smaller controller, the analog layout wouldn't matter if it was 360 style, this style or DS style, it's going to feel different.
\

This thread is pathetic. People honestly can't see why this controller exists?

The Pad can't hook 4 players to the screen at the same time. Not making this controller substantially hampers local multi-player.

Did you even bother to read? we know why the controller exist, we just don't like the layout.

Jesus christ.

 

[Amir0x]

Yes and no? Your early adopters will be hardcore nintendo fans, who probably has a Wii, and will have Wiimotes lying around. Why would they need more?

they are going to not want to confuse consumers. If they truly intend to keep the wiimote around, they must pack it in. Else, it really will eventually sit unused by developers, and then the only real pillar will be the pad controller.

They're not going to cater to the 'hardcore' with the launch, much as hardcores will be there... there will be party games, there will be casual/crapware titles, there will be all sorts of gimmicks and sideshows for groups of every kind. And in the end, since the pad controller could do everything this special controller pro can, but can't do everything a wiimote can, it would be redundant to pack in the special controller pro when they could include a wiimote.

 

[jts]

Well, they had like 5 colors for the Wii when they first showed it and we only got white for years. The 3DS had more colors too and we got Blue and Black to choose from. What they show now doesn't mean much. I would bet that there will be a black one but no white one at launch.

Like you said, there were a lot of colors when it was first showed, it was at a very premature concept stage and the hardware ended up changing quite a bit (mainly the controllers). When they unveiled the final Wii and Wiimote everything was simply white.

Nintendo is now saying that this is the finished product and still they are showing it (them) in white and black.

With their new casual and hardcore approach, I think black and white hardware is to be expected at launch.

 

[Buckethead]

Honestly though, if they can recapture the casual market where it is(f2p, social games, mobile) then it doesn't need these types of consumers. I suggest they try for both though.

No.

That's pretty much a surefire way to have a tepid product.
Right now they're chasing Apple's dollar instead of being "unique" like Iwata claims they are.

You need to build your base and then expand upon it. BrainAge and Wii Sports were nice novelties that caught on but those are unsustainable business models.

Nintendo needs to adapt or die, IMO.

 

[AgentOtaku]

Just woke up and saw the controller

HOLY SHIT!

LOOKS FANTASTIC!

Also, thank god they kept mushroom top sticks!

 

[nckillthegrimace]

That setup makes little sense, and the right stick positioning is all wrong for FPS. Anyways, if it's a multiplatform title, why would you be playing it on WiiU?

How is the right stick positioning all wrong for FPSes? It's in the primary position. If anything, the controller is specifically designed to work well with FPSes to the detriment of nearly every other type of game.

Your second point doesn't make any sense either. What's so strange about someone picking up a multiplatform release on the Wii U? As a developer, don't you want to sell your games to the most people possible? Selling shit on four systems instead of three must surely help with that, right?

Anyway, if this attitude is pervasive in the developer community, than Nintendo is in trouble, especially since this clearly a direct concession to those developers who are skittish about the screen.

 

[KillGore]

Not a bad answer. Sure it sounds easy enough to do, but Ninty does their own thing, and it does prove to be worth their while

To be honest I know I'll be buying at least one of these controllers, for local multiplayer, and I guess it's a good thing for third party support, but it worries me that they had to go down this road, it means third party developers are not too happy with the wii u pad idea.

 

[Luigiv]

Right, I totally forgot that most may not even have motion plus on the Wiimote.

Safe to assume that when Nintendo talks of Wiimote, they mean the ones with MotionPlus embedded?

Yeah, the old Wiimotes have been discontinued for a while now. Wii Remote +'s are the standard now.

 

[Vane_MagicCity]

To ensure developer support that's why, otherwise the prospect of developers making games that utilize the features of the Wiimote will go out the window.

Why would Nintendo want devs to utilize the Wiimote for WiiU games? I don't recall Nintendo including a Gamecube controller with the Wii.

 

[childplease]

Love the new Wii u controller.

Now it is time for Sony to step it up and get rid of that god awful dualshock.

 

[goomba]

I can already hear the kids fighting over who gets the Upad.

In some games I bet the games tell you to pass the GamePad around and take turns like Pacman vs on Gamecube / GBA.

 

[Linkhero1]

To be honest I know I'll be buying at least one of these controllers, for local multiplayer, and I guess it's a good thing for third party support, but it worries me that they had to go down this road, it means third party developers are not too happy with the wii u pad idea.

There are probably some third party developers who threatened not to release their games without a proper controller, so I'm assuming Nintendo went out of their way and created this based on their suggestions. My point is, if Nintendo hadn't created this, we probably wouldn't have seen those third party games on the console. More third party support = better for gamers.

 

[Buckethead]

How is the right stick positioning all wrong for FPSes? It's in the primary position. If anything, the controller is specifically designed to work well with FPSes to the detriment of nearly every other type of game.

The 360 buttons are positioned at the natural resting place of your thumb.

Those buttons are the functional buttons aka "kill this motherfucker in front of me" buttons.
Not the "move the camera" stick.

It has no bearing on things you want near you in the heat of the moment.

 

[Chet Rippo]

Love the new Wii u controller.

Now it is time for Sony to step it up and get rid of that god awful dualshock.

Or at least make it more comfortable to hold.

 

[Vane_MagicCity]

In some games I bet the asymetrical gameplay games tell you to pass the GamePad around and take turns.

Oh God no! The nightmares will begin tonight!

"It's my turn give it here! DAAAAD!"

 

[KillGore]

There are probably some third party developers who threatened not to release their games without a proper controller, so I'm assuming Nintendo went out of their way and created this based on their suggestions. My point is, if Nintendo hadn't created this, we probably wouldn't have seen those third party games on the console. More third party support = better for gamers.

But again I have to add "why would I buy the wii u version if I already have the 360 or Ps3?" and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this way and if we don't buy the wii u versions then third party support can start diminishing until history repeats itself, and become a Wii. This is all hypothetical of course.

I do understand your point though.

 

[NIGHT-]

Love the new Wii u controller.

Now it is time for Sony to step it up and get rid of that god awful dualshock.

This

 

[YuriLowell]

Or at least make it more comfortable to hold.

This. Its why I don't buy multiplat ps3 games.