[quote name='io']Um - warranty call to Nintendo just like if your 3DS/DS/Wii/Wii U console breaks? I'm seeing this argument on other sites, too, and I don't understand it.
You wouldn't want to spend $150-$170 for a new Gamepad anyway if yours broke under warranty - so that's the solution.
They will probably have them out (in stores that is) by the time people's warranties expire (a year+).
Now if it got smashed in half, and thus not covered by warranty, then you'd probably have to order one from Nintendo. That might be a pain vs. just buying a new one in store, but really, how many people are going to face that problem in the first several months?[/QUOTE]
I don't see the controller breaking being a problem. Provided the system doesn't have a huge design flaw like the 3DS's self scratching screen. There is a slight chance you will get stuck with a faulty one or maybe one that doesn't hold a charge however this chance would be very, very very slim and I am sure Nintendo would replace in this case.
The only problem I can see is people wearing out the analog sticks on the tablet playing COD, because I have heard of people who wear out their sticks on the controller within a month or 2 of playing. With the cost of the tablet replacement could become very costly. This is mostly an FPS problem though, I do not have experience with FPS games so I am not sure why this is happening to the 360 controller. But there is also the pro controller, which is significantly less expensive than the tablet. I wonder if its possible to use the CC Pro in place of the wireless pro controller, because those controllers are like $8 at Sears if you can find one. Might want to save COD for the XBox 360, where you can get controllers for $30 on a good day if you wear through them.
It is an LCD screen so you will have to be careful that you don't drop anything on it or step on it, but that is normal for any device with a screen.
It would be awesome if it came with a hard case for the tablet though, this way it would be less likely to become damaged in a household with kids who like to abuse electronics.
For those that do yard sales who follow me in the thread I have already seen significant Wii dumping in my area (not so much consoles, but the games and accessories are ripe for the picking) so I think people are definitely ready for a new Nintendo console. I have probably seen Wii stuff at more houses than I have seen any other game system stuff, I only expect the dumping to continue at a more rapid rate.