This can't get out soon enough:

Nyko preparing GamePad battery extender, doubles play time

November 29th, 2012 Posted in News, Posted by Valay, Wii U | No Comments »
Nyko is working on an accessory for the Wii U GamePad – known as “U Boost” – which promises to extend the battery life of the controller. Supposedly, the new rechargeable lithium polymer battery doubles the GamePad’s play time.
Amazon UK lists a November 30 release date for U Boost. You’ll be able to use the existing Wii U GamePad AC adaptor with the new battery.


-I checked amazon's US sited and while it's listed, it just says it's unavailable.

Originally Posted by Strell Either way, I'm in no rush. Either a big incentive needs to show up, a big sale of some kind needs to show up (some retailers sidestep this, such as Target giving store gift cards for Apple products), I get it as a gift from someone, or some serious game announcements occur relatively soon.

Well, games will ultimately drive sales. As I said, they have a pretty solid launch lineup, but no killer app yet. Once they find that game, it will probably do gangbusters.

Originally Posted by Blaster man I believe that there will DEFINITELY be a price drop prior to the next holiday season. No way this can compete with the nextbox without it.

Assuming Microsoft actually does release something during the next holiday season. So far, all we have are vague rumors.

Originally Posted by Erad30 This can't get out soon enough: Nyko preparing GamePad battery extender, doubles play time November 29th, 2012 Posted in News, Posted by Valay, Wii U | No Comments » Nyko is working on an accessory for the Wii U GamePad – known as “U Boost” – which promises to extend the battery life of the controller. Supposedly, the new rechargeable lithium polymer battery doubles the GamePad’s play time. Amazon UK lists a November 30 release date for U Boost. You’ll be able to use the existing Wii U GamePad AC adaptor with the new battery. -I checked amazon's US sited and while it's listed, it just says it's unavailable.

If it's somewhere in the $10-$20 range, I'll definitely pick one up. If it's more expensive than that, I can deal with the semi-minor inconvenience of plugging it in while I play, or taking a little break while it charges. Looks like the UK listing is for £20, so heres hoping that it eventually comes stateside for $20...

Originally Posted by TheLongshot Assuming Microsoft actually does release something during the next holiday season. So far, all we have are vague rumors.

Yeah, I doubt we will see anything congeal by 2013, perhaps 2014 at the earliest, for both Microsoft and Sony. Their software and hardware are still selling well, and other than the Wii U reclaiming the market lost in the past two years for Nintendo, I don't see a reason why either the PS3/360 would want to (or even need to) have a new console launch in 2013.

Also, if there were to release a new console next year, wouldn't they of advertised it this year to prevent people from buying the Wii U? Or perhaps they don't think it's strong enough competition to warrant the press releases on the successors, which circles back again to why they would want to release a new console now anyways.

Long story short, with no new competition, I think the Wii U price will hold for next year, but we'll probably see some value bundles at B&M stores.

Originally Posted by Billytwoshoes Yeah, I doubt we will see anything congeal by 2013, perhaps 2014 at the earliest, for both Microsoft and Sony. Their software and hardware are still selling well, and other than the Wii U reclaiming the market lost in the past two years for Nintendo, I don't see a reason why either the PS3/360 would want to (or even need to) have a new console launch in 2013.

I could see Microsoft because they have priorities other than just gaming. Given everything with Windows 8 and WP8 and Surface, I could see them developing a new console to tie into all of that.

I just bought a BF PS3 today, because out of the blue my kids asked for a PS3 (or Wii U). Well they are only going to get one and I must admit that the $200 I paid for the PS3 (with 4 games!) is a pretty big draw vs. $350 for the Wii U with 1 game and a launch (i.e. "small") library. So the Wii U might be getting returned. But I'm really undecided anyway. I'd like the Wii U, but then I'd also like a PS3. Darn. On the other hand we have the 360 and so the PS3 is largely redundant, but there are some good exclusives....

Either way we'll end up with a Wii U at some point. Maybe it won't be until a price break, though.

I think it's fair to assume good 3rd party support won't last more than 2 years like with the Wii, Gamecube, &N64. We all know the Xbox 3 comes out next year but there is no word yet on if the PS4 comes out next year. 4 games for $200 is good. I'd wait on the Wii U. In fact I am waiting on it. Try to get exclusives for the PS3. Go get the Uncharted games. Also consider the Wonderbooks thing if your kids are at the right age or if they aren't and you want it. -)

Originally Posted by crunchewy I just bought a BF PS3 today, because out of the blue my kids asked for a PS3 (or Wii U). Well they are only going to get one and I must admit that the $200 I paid for the PS3 (with 4 games!) is a pretty big draw vs. $350 for the Wii U with 1 game and a launch (i.e. "small") library. So the Wii U might be getting returned. But I'm really undecided anyway. I'd like the Wii U, but then I'd also like a PS3. Darn. On the other hand we have the 360 and so the PS3 is largely redundant, but there are some good exclusives.... Either way we'll end up with a Wii U at some point. Maybe it won't be until a price break, though.

I totally understand the reasoning behind buying a $200 PS3, especially with so many games, but I spent $350 on a WiiU (with game) that I'll hopefully be able to use for 4-6 years. The PS3's life will be effectively over in a year or two. Same reason why I get that people will wait a year or two for a price drop on the WiiU, but the extra $50 (or $100, whatever) I'll lose by buying full price on launch day is worth it for me getting that extra year or two of time with the console.

Just dropped by to say that I'm glad Nintendo is pretty much keeping up with demand. Hopefully some flippers get burned in the process. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nintendo-Wii...item43b66abe6b

Also, I can't wait till my kid opens the Wii U on Christmas Day! Too bad Nintendo decided to push Pikmin 3 back to March. He really wants that one.

Originally Posted by pseudonem Just dropped by to say that I'm glad Nintendo is pretty much keeping up with demand. Hopefully some flippers get burned in the process. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nintendo-Wii...item43b66abe6b Also, I can't wait till my kid opens the Wii U on Christmas Day! Too bad Nintendo decided to push Pikmin 3 back to March. He really wants that one.

WTF. What a bitch.

Originally Posted by pseudonem Just dropped by to say that I'm glad Nintendo is pretty much keeping up with demand. Hopefully some flippers get burned in the process. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nintendo-Wii...item43b66abe6b Also, I can't wait till my kid opens the Wii U on Christmas Day! Too bad Nintendo decided to push Pikmin 3 back to March. He really wants that one.

Originally Posted by Blaster man WTF. What a bitch.

lol, serously...

...making the kid wait...

Originally Posted by pissoffbakaburi lol, serously... ...making the kid wait...

I see what you did there. :P

I don't mind the flippers trying to sell these things for a profit, but they're just so stupid and arrogant... that's what irritates me.

Hi, folks. I have a question for you - I apologize if it has been asked, but a quick cursory search seems to indicate that it hasn't been.

I'm holding onto this for Christmas for my family, but this evening, my wife and I got it out and looked everything over to make sure everything APPEARS to be in working order, for whatever it's worth.

Everything looks great, except that the gamepad screen seems to have a sort of oily-looking splotch on some of the right side of the screen. Whatever it is looks like it's either part of the surface or part of some built-in protector; it appears to be very close to the surface, but not on the surface itself, as nothing wipes away. What's more, if you move your finger around on the touch screen (this is all while it's off - we didn't power anything on), you can see this same affect temporarily appear on other parts of the screen that have recently been pushed on with even a moderate amount of pressure.

My question is, is this normal? Does everyone see this?

I actually have a second unit I'm planning on returning, so I got that out and took a look. While the area is slightly smaller, this appearance also appears to be present on that gamepad, which gives me hope that they're all this way.

Thanks in advance.

I don't remember anything sounding like that on mine.

While you have it out though, I really think you should plug it in and update the thing...especially since it's for your kids. You'll have the initial 5GB patch that will take quite a while to download, and, respective patches for most of the games you bought.

You'll save your kids an hour or more of time on initial setup if you get it out of the way now.

Originally Posted by Rig You'll have the initial 5GB patch

Just want to point out that other people have since done the update and watched their bandwidth, and found that it's actually around 1GB. This is still pretty inexcusable but it's at least a massive reduction.

Originally Posted by Strell Just want to point out that other people have since done the update and watched their bandwidth, and found that it's actually around 1GB. This is still pretty inexcusable but it's at least a massive reduction.

Ah, hadn't heard that. Interesting.

I suppose their servers must have been getting slammed when I was downloading it. 1GB taking an hour and change is kinda crazy.

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Thanks for the advice, Rig. I will have to discuss that with my wife - one key is that this is a gift coming from the big guy, so I don't want it to be obviously-unapackaged.

Any other thoughts on the oily-looking appearance of parts of the screen?

Originally Posted by PlayableMoogle Thanks for the advice, Rig. I will have to discuss that with my wife - one key is that this is a gift coming from the big guy, so I don't want it to be obviously-unapackaged. Any other thoughts on the oily-looking appearance of parts of the screen?

I'm going through setup and unboxing right now. There's nothing like what you describe on my controller. There's a very tiny pixel/blemish, but I'm not going to return it based just on that.

Even if you don't want to make the system seem 'unboxed', I would still encourage you to do the setup ahead of time. There's nothing fun about sitting here waiting for the download to finish so I can continue with the initial setup and wrap it back up.
It's definitely slower than any x360 or ps3 patch/update that I've ever done.

Originally Posted by PlayableMoogle Thanks for the advice, Rig. I will have to discuss that with my wife - one key is that this is a gift coming from the big guy, so I don't want it to be obviously-unapackaged. Any other thoughts on the oily-looking appearance of parts of the screen?

No way! Gifts like this come from YOU. Don't let Santa get credit for a WiiU.