Wii U - General Discussion Thread

I loved me some Pac-Man vs., FF Crystal Chronicles was awesome too if you could find someone to play with, which wasn't easy.
 
All will be revealed on September 13th. 6 years to the day that Wii launch information was revealed.

Also, some 2013 games will be talked about as well. I dunno if they'll be new or not though.
 
[quote name='KingBroly']Yes, it is. It should've been called "11 out of 10" Also, Batman's forearms are the going to be the Tablet Screen of the Gamepad. What a twist.

Anyway, ZombiU is not a new IP after all: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombi_(video_game)

You learn something new everyday.[/QUOTE]
Oh, wow. That's pretty neat.

Speaking of which, ZombiU looks pretty kick ass. I don't know about no saving (you mean, no saving AT ALL, not even at the safe house?) but I enjoy the whole concept of it otherwise.
 
[quote name='KingBroly']All will be revealed on September 13th. 6 years to the day that Wii launch information was revealed.

Also, some 2013 games will be talked about as well. I dunno if they'll be new or not though.[/QUOTE]

Hopefully they announce a new zelda/metroid!
 
[quote name='sasukekun']Hopefully they announce a new zelda/metroid![/QUOTE]

I really hope that Nintendo pulls an N64 and gives us two 3D Zelda games this generation.

If they announce a Zelda or
Ness
game, I would be ecstatic.
 
Report: New Potential Wii U Release Details Appear

An entry on the website of Amazon's distribution company has revealed three bundles and a November release date.


by Luke Karmali
September 4, 2012
http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/04/report-new-potential-wii-u-release-details-appear#



New details have leaked about potential SKUs, prices and dates for the release of the Wii U which seem to conflict with what we’ve previously heard.
While we’ve heard multiple reports in the past that suggest Nintendo’s console will arrive in North America on November 18, today’s listing suggests it’ll actually be on November 11.
That's according to a listing spotted on Video Product Distributors, which is a distribution company that supplies Amazon, Blockbuster and Overstock.
According to an entry on the site, the Wii U will become available in North America on November 11. Three SKUs are listed:

  • WIIU SYSTEM - GM - 11/11/12 $249.99
  • WIIU SYSTEM W/ - GM - 11/11/12 $299.99
  • WIIU SYSTEM 349 W/ - GM - 11/11/12 $349.99
While we don't know precisely what each one involves, presumably the $299.99 and $349.99 versions will contain either some extra games or other peripherals like an additional GamePad to justify the beefed up price. To see the entry you'd normally need a trade login, but thankfully a YouTube user has recorded a shot of the page that reveals all.
We've been hit by a slew of information previously that the Wii U would launch on November 18, but this was thrown into confusion last week when peripheral maker PDP denied it had knowledge of the console's release date.
So where does this leave us? Well, it may muddy the waters as to the exact release date of Nintendo's new console, but it seems increasingly likely that the Wii U is destined for a November release. Both November 11 and 18 are Sundays as well, which has been the day that Nintendo traditionally favours for console releases: the Wii launched on Sunday, November 19, 2006 while the GameCube debuted on Sunday, November 18, 2001.
With a Wii U press event taking place in New York on Thursday, September 13, it thankfully doesn't seem like we'll have to wait much longer for some concrete answers.

Thanks, NintendoLife.
Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Editorial Assistant. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on IGN and on Twitter.

by Luke Karmali
http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/04/report-new-potential-wii-u-release-details-appear# Share on facebook Share on stumbleupon Share on reddit Share on tumblr Share on email More Sharing Services
 
I can't see Nintendo releasing more than one sku at launch. They have never done it as far as I know.

Either way we will find out in 9 days.
 
A second Gamepad makes no sense since there will be no support for that. I'd echo what Josh says - that I really doubt they'd have more than one SKu to start off. Keep it simple.

But who knows, they continue to defy logic ;).

By the way, I played the WiiU a bit at PAX. The controller is great - not at all heavy or awkward or anything. However, most of the games there didn't make much use of it. They did tell me Pikmin 3 would have a Gamepad option even though their demo did not have that option. It was still pretty neat to have the map show on the Gamepad - as it shows where your ship is and even shows the items being carried back by your Pikmin so you can monitor where they are and when they are done - pretty cool.

NSMB Wii U looked great of course (being in HD). I got to play with the Wii Remote and then again with the pad. All you do with the pad is create blocks for the others sto jump on and such. It is a neat thing, and I'm sure my kids will have fun with it.

I didn't play ZombieU but it seemed to have pretty good lines (nothing like Borderlands 2 or Halo 4 but a decent showing nonetheless).
 
[quote name='Josh5890']I can't see Nintendo releasing more than one sku at launch. They have never done it as far as I know.

Either way we will find out in 9 days.[/QUOTE]

Multicolored Gamecubes? Dunno if they had different SKUs but I don't think it's totally unprecedented. MS and Sony did it this generation and it... worked (?)

I came close to grabbing Darksiders 2 at TRU this week thanks to the current deal but I realized that I really want to wait and see how it and other current HD twin titles wind up looking on the Wii U.

I'll preorder one if I can do so without camping out (assuming there's a desirable SKU at $300 or less). Make it so Nintendo.
 
You could definitely buy an NES alone, with the Zapper and with the Zapper and R.O.B. - not sure if exactly at launch but definitely within the first year. I got mine in August of 1986 and I paid $80 for just the control deck.
 
Well I know with the NES they had to kind of sneak it in as a game system with R.O.B. ROB was the toy you were buying, because at that point no one wanted to touch game systems.
 
I can see Nintendo doing the bundles for online retailers or like for gamestop. Maybe stores like wal mart and target only get one model.

Either way if it is indeed $250, I will be buying one most likely. $250 is nothing for me nowadays since I have a real job. Besides I can claim it as my birthday gift because it is so cheap and my birthday is end of October.
 
If true, the bundles would be an interesting way to improve margins on a product that is sometimes sold with thin margins. It would be a variant on Apple's strategy with the iPhone and iPad. The extra cost for more storage between the models is something like $18 dollars, yet they sell the upgrade for $100.

Nintendo effectively did this with the Wii game series bundling controllers with Wii Play, ect.

In the case of the Wii U I could see bundling the Pro Controller and/or another gamepad with the system. An extra gamepad would require there being a game that actually has a use for two gamepads though... I dont think a single game has been demoed showing support for two as of yet.
 
[quote name='Sir_Fragalot']$250 is nothing for me nowadays since I have a real job.[/QUOTE]

I wish I had this mentality. I hate spending money even though I can afford to. I'll probably buy a WiiU eventually but only after they release a proper Zelda and Mario... or at least 5 exclusive games I want to buy/play.
 
[quote name='foltzie']If true, the bundles would be an interesting way to improve margins on a product that is sometimes sold with thin margins. It would be a variant on Apple's strategy with the iPhone and iPad. The extra cost for more storage between the models is something like $18 dollars, yet they sell the upgrade for $100.

Nintendo effectively did this with the Wii game series bundling controllers with Wii Play, ect.

In the case of the Wii U I could see bundling the Pro Controller and/or another gamepad with the system. An extra gamepad would require there being a game that actually has a use for two gamepads though... I dont think a single game has been demoed showing support for two as of yet.[/QUOTE]

I can afford to buy this at launch, but I am a cheapass, and I almost never buy products as soon as they are released, because I KNOW there will be at least a 6-12 month game drought for this system after launch titles. I also don't like paying full for launch titles, as they most always drop in price. Based on Nintendo's other recently released products, I am not finding much I like about them, especially after the drastic 3DS price drop, so this will probably be an I will buy it in 5 years if they have some Pokemon games for it approach for me. At minimum I would wait 2 years before buying this. If they had a Pokemon MMORPG at launch with a heavy online presence and linkable with my Pokemon DS games, it would be a system seller for me and I would buy it right away without even thinking about it, but last gen's Pokemon console offerings were extremely thin and not desirable.

Last time I checked the system couldn't even support 2 gamepad's simultaneously unless something has changed. This could be a retailer specific bundle though.

I think more likely one bundle will be the base system with the gamepad, and one will be the system with the gamepad and pro controller, with the pro controller also offered as a stand alone product but possibly a small discount off the retail price if you buy it bundled with the system at launch. Moreover since the system is said to be compatible with Wii remotes I wouldn't be surprised if they had a bundle that included a Wii remote or 2 for those that don't have them yet. This is of course, if they even have different SKU's.
 
^They finally came around and announced that they got 2 pads running on the system. I think there may still be some speculation that it impacts the max framerate though.
 
Some indications were that Nintendo wanted 4 gamepads at the same time, but couldn't get it to work. 2's fine though.
 
[quote name='KingBroly']Some indications were that Nintendo wanted 4 gamepads at the same time, but couldn't get it to work. 2's fine though.[/QUOTE]

Makes sense, developer indications are that using two Gamepads will drop the framerate to 30fps. Implying that four would have meant 15fps.
 
Not sure it works that way exactly...But it's probably for the best, even 30FPS looks unnatural and awful in this day and age.
 
[quote name='Javery']I wish I had this mentality. I hate spending money even though I can afford to. I'll probably buy a WiiU eventually but only after they release a proper Zelda and Mario... or at least 5 exclusive games I want to buy/play.[/QUOTE]
It's funny. Usually I am a cheap ass, but when it comes to electronics, I tend to not resist. I mean I shelled out $250 for a nook color that I almost never used after a few weeks after buying it :lol:.
 
[quote name='KingBroly']Some indications were that Nintendo wanted 4 gamepads at the same time, but couldn't get it to work. 2's fine though.[/QUOTE]

This could get expensive, at least with 2 you could have a friend come over who also has a Wii U and they could connect their gamepad.

I still want to know what kind of battery life this thing's gamepad will have (actual reports from actual users, not company estimates which are almost always on the too high side), you can play with it plugged in though, so it shouldn't be a problem. If I had one I would probably always just plug it in though, killing the battery, but at least I wouldn't have to worry about running out of battery in the middle of a game and charging yet ANOTHER device. As if I don't have enough things that need charging already...
 
Those different Wii's...they're probably pulling an Xbox 360 and selling one without a hard drive, one with a hard drive, and one with a bigger hard drive.

I'm not going to be buying a Wii U for a long time. Unless they release an Earthbound for it...which has 0 chance of happening.
 
Yeah I was just about to post that but you beat me to it, it's such a stupendously obvious yet fantastic idea, if they show something like that this Thursday, it's shut up and take my money time.
 
Would any developer even want to do that?

While we're at it, I want Munchkin U. And Dominion U. And...

You know what. Just make boardgames for the system. Shit.
 
Monopoly U, Gamepad player gets to be the banker, and thus GETS TO CHEAT, MUAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Also he gets to set up traps, like more Go to Jail spaces.

Monopoly DnD U, coming this fall, brace your hotels for dragon fucking.

Note: DnD is the saddest looking emoticon ever, I like it.
 
[quote name='Erad30']Yeah I was just about to post that but you beat me to it, it's such a stupendously obvious yet fantastic idea, if they show something like that this Thursday, it's shut up and take my money time.[/QUOTE]

For real! That would sell 10, maybe 20 copies! D&D is the shit!
 
I think WIIU will do well itll pull in granmas n grand kids again and nintendo fans, and parents. It's the first "new" console out ppl will put down cash on the wiiu leaving them strapped when the 720 or PS4 comes.
 
Offering up DnD as a great idea is part of what I don't understand about Nintendo right now more than anything. A big part of the marketing for the WIIU is based on a scenario that you don't see much in the wild. Using the tablet as a menu screen, or a "special" view, is one thing -- that augments the 1P or possibly 2P experience, both of which are common enough.

But 3P+ playing hide and seek? One guy being a platform mover for 3 others in a MP platformer? Or partaking of some shared DnD experience (not Nintendo's example, I know, I'm just picking on that one as an example of what others imagine for the WIIU). You can't sell those honestly, because even in the easy peasy, "kiddy" family market, people don't use their consoles that way.

If you're talking multi-player, it's almost always 2 people, and in that space, "one guy gets the tablet and one guy doesn't" can work, but it doesn't feel the equitable. When it's "me vs. him" you want equal control inputs; when it's "us vs. him," then him having a tablet really works. But how often are there enough people in the room to make "us vs. him" a possibility?

I can't think of the last time I sat down and played at one title for more than 30 minutes with more than 1 other person co-operatively. I guess it would be a Kart. It's not just my family, though, I think of the Wii-having friends and neighbors and it's typically parents and kids taking turns at Skyward Sword.

It's possible that it could change, but it's hard to pretend that the existence of the tablet and games supporting the 3+ experience is going to change that. I just don't know what they're banking on this time.

As much as I maligned 3DS, at least that "hook" was marketable. Perhaps a bit of snake oil, but it could move systems. But the WIIU is just staring down a dead-end. The novelty of "look, a tablet!" is a few years past expiration. I don't think it's a marketable 1P experience based on what I've seen (the "best" example of this being Reggie's shuriken demo on Jimmy Fallon). And the multiplayer experience feels like they're a car dealership in Hawaii trying to sell people the cold weather package.

So I guess that's a really long response to a not particularly amusing or insightful cartoon.
 
I agree with all of that. Even with 3 kids in the house (at varying skill levels due to age) I can't imagine a scenario where we all play the same game for more than 30 minutes at a time. Without a strong online component I just don't get it.
 
Yeah, I know to some I'm coming off as trollish, but I'm not trolling, I'm just baffled by Nintendo, it's been this way since that goofy E3 in 2011. I don't want to be baffled by them, I want to be excited about a new console and new first-party titles, and the fact that I'm not makes me testy. The PA cartoon nags at me because, for as witty as those guys want to come off, they've missed the point entirely.

What's holding the WIIU back isn't a lack of DnD games or any other tablet vs. 3P experience. It needs a direction, and as much as Nintendo would like it to, the mere existence of the tablet doesn't provide that the way the motion control did for the Wii (or even 3D did for the 3DS).

They had to work harder this generation, and instead of doing that, it looks like they lost their shit a little bit. This thing is not much more of a product than it was 18 months ago. Reports from people who play the demo support this, even with fanboys there's no genuine interest beyond establishing ownership. "Yeah, it's okay, I'll buy at launch. Hopefully X, Y, and Z get released." That's a relatively glowing review of this system right now. Bleh.

And the marketing invention of this very active home multiplayer community on Nintendo's part is reaching so hard. They want me to believe this exists, or that if I get a WIIU and tablet this commercial will come to life in my living room. But the folks they're aiming at -- families, I guess -- know better. Even if people want to play those kinds of games, the way the console gets used, typically no more than 2 people will be playing at once. So what the shit are you selling me?
 
[quote name='Strell']I'm wondering if I should respond. Probably not.[/QUOTE]

Talk me into this thing Strell. This is the first Nintendo console I'm not getting at launch since the NES... but I will be getting it eventually when there are 5 or so exclusives available that I want to play.
 
[quote name='Strell']I'm wondering if I should respond. Probably not.[/QUOTE]

Don't do it. I'm not looking for fisticuffs, I swear it. Just venting after that dumb cartoon.

I'd like to remain a participant in the N community around here, I don't want my membership revoked.
 
[quote name='Javery']Talk me into this thing Strell. This is the first Nintendo console I'm not getting at launch since the NES... but I will be getting it eventually when there are 5 or so exclusives available that I want to play.[/QUOTE]

That's the thing - I'm not sold myself.

I recognize a lot of it borders on novelty, categorized as "gimmickry" and "tech demos" by the large masses. And I'm fine with that (to a point), because Wii Sports was largely the same, and Nintendo Land is the new Wii Sports.

So I can't venture into making arguments I myself can't fully buy into.

All I will say is that the controller feels great, the graphics are super sharp - you WILL notice a difference between an already released PS360 title and the Wii U counterpart - and that it'll have exclusives down the line. But that's not much to hang your hat on.

[quote name='dothog']Don't do it. I'm not looking for fisticuffs, I swear it. Just venting after that dumb cartoon.

I'd like to remain a participant in the N community around here, I don't want my membership revoked.[/QUOTE]

I know this is all true. I think there's some oversimplification in effect here, but not enough to really take a lot of issue with.

The last thing I'll say is that both of you shared the exact same sentiment that - as pointed out - Nintendo is honestly aiming for. They've latched onto this "together alone" thing (or "alone together," I can't remember which) and are hoping that this is going to drive forward the system. Which is odd, because now we've got two people right here saying that this is precisely the sort of thing that doesn't appeal to them.

I guess this is the same feeling I get whenever I see people gush endlessly over some game I end up thinking is boring and trite - one particular attribute held as attractive and repulsive simultaneously.

It's weird that things can happen that way. I get it, I really do. But it's strange.
 
[quote name='Strell'] Which is odd, because now we've got two people right here saying that this is precisely the sort of thing that doesn't appeal to them.[/QUOTE]

I see the appeal in the co-op experience ("us vs. tablet," 3P+) they're marketing. I know I would enjoy it. But the context it requires -- all those people in that gaming space -- are so rare that they're effectively fiction. It's not something you encounter regularly enough to identify with and say, "I'm buying this to experience that."

We're not in the 1950s, when people in families come together it's usually at the table, if they can manage. Otherwise everyone's in a different room, and when people game, they usually game in pairs if not alone. I can't explain it, it's the nature of the beast, I've observed it in many households. My family only goes more than 2P over holidays even though there's shitloads of us, we're like roaches.

The Wii marketing, for instance, didn't segregate their market the way the WIIU has done. Almost all those commercials were two people: a kid playing with grandpa, mom and dad watching the kids play tennis, so on. They had some 3P+, but by and large they featured pairs of people playing. In that regard the commercials stuck, because that's how families play.

The WIIU lost sight of that, and IMO it's a big reason why those commercials aren't sticking with people. Not because the games they're playing are stupid, and should instead be DnD or some shit, but because families watch that and think, "Who is that for?" Right now I'd say college dorms and one-off gaming parties.

So if you disregard the hard sell Nintendo's pushing, you're left with a poorly defined 1P/2P experience. I think I know why N is avoiding marketing it based on what I saw on Jimmy Fallon, and I suppose that's good tactics. But it still leaves people not knowing what the WIIU is good for in terms of how their Wii at home is currently used. I'm one of those people.
 
There's a game coming out called Dungeonland on PC which has a feature similar to that D&D idea, would probably be a great idea for them to port that.



Also, some rumored specs for Wii U from the Neogaf forums/VG Leaks:

CPU: “Espresso” CPU on the Wii U has three enhanced Broadway cores

GPU: “GPU7” AMD Radeon™-based High Definition GPU. Unique API = GX2, which supports Shader Model 4.0 (DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 3.3 equivalent functionality)

Memory: Mem1 = 32MB Mem2 = 1GB (that applications can use)

Storage: Internal 8 GB with support for SD Cards (SD Cards up to 2GB/ SDHC Cards up to 32GB) and External USB Connected Hard Drives

Networking: 802.11 b/g/n Wifi

Video Output: Supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i

Video Cables Supported:

Compatible cables include HDMI, Wii D-Terminal, Wii Component Video, Wii RGB, Wii S-Video Stereo AV and Wii AV.

USB: Four USB 2.0 Ports
Click to expand...
 
[quote name='dothog']I see the appeal in the co-op experience ("us vs. tablet," 3P+) they're marketing. I know I would enjoy it. But the context it requires -- all those people in that gaming space -- are so rare that they're effectively fiction. It's not something you encounter regularly enough to identify with and say, "I'm buying this to experience that."[/QUOTE]

Maybe part of the problem is that, for the most part, console games have typically been a max of 2 players. Most consoles up until this generation typically natively supported two controllers. Screen real estate is always limited, so you have to stick with what can fit on a screen. Given that many board games require or are more fun with more than 2 players, I think the mentality you mention is an artificial one, one driven by limitations of technology.

The thing is, the desire for Nintendo to have multiple people sitting in front of the console is not a new idea for them. Nintendo has supported 4 controllers natively since the 64. They also have made games over the years that support multiple players well. (Mario Kart and Smash Bros comes to mind) So, going further in that direction shouldn't be a shocker to anyone.

Course at the end of the day, if the games are good, people will find ways to play them.
 
[quote name='Strell']All I will say is that the controller feels great, the graphics are super sharp - you WILL notice a difference between an already released PS360 title and the Wii U counterpart - and that it'll have exclusives down the line. But that's not much to hang your hat on.[/QUOTE]

That is good to hear. I think that the current generation of graphics will suit Nintendo's style perfectly for a number of years to come - just look at the Dolphin emulator when everything is upscaled to HD. Those Wii games look amazing. Zelda:WW is STILL one of the best looking games I've ever played (and it's not just nostalgia - I was playing it about a week ago).

I'm just not buying into the "gimmick" this time around. I strongly disliked the Wii (but really liked a lot of the games) and outside of a few neat little games like Wii Sports and Boom Blox I thought motion controls were a train wreck. Both Mario and Zelda games would be all time greats on any system ever if they were in HD and playable with a "regular" controller (OK, they are probably still in that category despite the controls). I still haven't finished Skyward Sword because at the end of the day I don't feel like swinging my arms around when I'm trying to relax. The 2D sidescrollers like NSMB, Kirby's Epic Yarn, DKCR, etc. were mostly perfect - except for the controls. Why does Nintendo feel like they need to come out with some wacky controller every single generation since the N64?

Jeez... it is so frustrating liking Nintendo games.
 
I think the WiiU will do fine overall. I see a ton of potential for creative gameplay regardless of the number of players. That said, I am concerned, that only Nintendo will devote its creative brainpower towards maximizing this potential. I think most developers will be content with simply using it as an inventory screen or the like.

I also think that the penetration of the Wii will carry over towards the WiiU to some degree. Nintendo has a presence in a lot of kids homes right now and a lot of them will want the latest Nintendo console in order to play the new Mario & Zelda games. I think a lot of us are used to reading "My Wii has been collecting dust since I bought it" or "I traded my Wii in within a month" doom & gloom posts and are letting that effect our outlook on things (not to mention all the negative gaming media attention Nintendo attracts...granted some of it warranted). The "average" and, believe it or not, some "gamer" families still get plenty of use out of their Wii and will be looking forward to the WiiU.

To add to the number of players talk, put me down as a family that regularly has 3 (me and my 2 boys) & on occasion 4 (when the wife decides to join in) players playing the same game.
 
[quote name='Javery']The 2D sidescrollers like NSMB, Kirby's Epic Yarn, DKCR, etc. were mostly perfect - except for the controls. Why does Nintendo feel like they need to come out with some wacky controller every single generation since the N64?

Jeez... it is so frustrating liking Nintendo games.[/QUOTE]

I agree. My hope is the issue you raise remains a Wii era complaint.

Given that WIIU is pushing even harder toward inclusion (though, again, I'm not sure about the honesty of that), I really don't see cause for EXCLUDING specific forms of control if the stated object is broad appeal and that control is easily supported. Plus, I think the fancy controller they came up with is evidence that maybe the irrational exclusion of gamepads is a thing of the past.

Okay, circumstantial evidence.

Aside: Bite your tongue on the wacky controller comment when it comes to the N64 to GC transition. I still don't understand why people like the N64 controller, it was hideous. The GC controller is a sweetheart. It's an obvious improvement on the awkward design of the N64, it puts your hands where they're supposed to be, it's fairly responsive, and most importantly it looks good. It gets both form and function right on the nosey.

The Wavebird update only solidified the accomplishments of Nintendo that generation. They weren't making big console sales in the GC era, but dammit they were pumping out some quality product.

Cap'n_RDM;9958428 said:
The "average" and, believe it or not, some "gamer" families still get plenty of use out of their Wii and will be looking forward to the WiiU.
Click to expand...
We'll have to respectfully disagree on that. We've both got anecdotal evidence in opposing directions. The four families I know that are very active Wii users (2 are relatives) are *still* not aware of the WIIU beyond "it's the next wii and it's got a tablet." And as far as they're concerned, none of them are buying it at launch. One said they might consider buying it eventually after it's gotten cheap, the other three don't have an interest in it. (There's also some confusion over the tablet, but let's leave that out of it.)

IMO Nintendo lost a considerable amount of the momentum they had from the Wii phenomenon. They've got the Nintendo brand, as always, but I don't think "Wii" carries the weight they hoped it would.
 
[quote name='dothog']Aside: Bite your tongue on the wacky controller comment when it comes to the N64 to GC transition. I still don't understand why people like the N64 controller, it was hideous. The GC controller is a sweetheart. It's an obvious improvement on the awkward design of the N64, it puts your hands where they're supposed to be, it's fairly responsive, and most importantly it looks good. It gets both form and function right on the nosey.
[/QUOTE]

The Gamecube might be my favorite Nintendo console of all time... but the controller was still a bit of a mess, IMO. I liked the idea of the large "A" button and the other bean shaped buttons surrounding it - in theory. Keeping your finger on the button you use the most makes sense but it just doesn't suit all types of games where you use the "B", "X" and "Y" buttons just as much.

They should have added a second analog stock instead of using the yellow c-stick thing (that left analog stick was the bees knees though) and I didn't like the shoulder buttons at all. The sensitivity and the extra click were cool but hitting that Z button (why only one?) was a bit of a pain due to the fact that your index finger was practically molded to those shoulder buttons (comfortable, but not as practical as it could have been).

The Gamecube controller was a step up from the N64 controller though but not nearly as good as the Xbox 360 controller layout, which is almost perfect.
 
Well, that's where we'll argue function. I agree that in games that needed more than one or two buttons, the GC controller wasn't terrific. But it fit the one-button ideal that Nintendo pushed hard, which I wasn't a fan of, but whatever, they made it work most of the time.

The 360 is good in the sense of buttons, but in terms of "set it in your hands and fall in love," the GC is the winner, IMO. It just fits, dammit, largely because of those large shoulder buttons to rest your fingers in. So comfy. You just sit in that saddle, and ride.

I've gone a long time without a shoutout to Orange Spice. Much love, Spicey.
 
[quote name='dothog']I've gone a long time without a shoutout to Orange Spice. Much love, Spicey.[/QUOTE]

oooohh... I'm right there with you. I loved my spice controller. Bring back the Spice!!!
 
While I agree with dothog on the hard sell in the 3P+ experience Nintendo is trying with the Wii U system / lack of overall direction, I'm still very excited by the possibilities. Through my years of gaming (with exception to the NES through SNES / Genesis era), I've always had at least one or two 3P+ games per console that my friends and family played for years. Whether it was Goldeneye / SSB for the N64, Champions of Norrath / Return to Arms for PS2, or MK: DD / Mario Party 6 for GC, there was always a title that saw near weekly play in my house that had the get-together type experience.

Nowadays with the Wii, four years later, Boom Blox is still the best go-to game for a fun night with the family / friends, which due to having kids now, is typically around once a month. A game like Boom Blox took full advantage of the Wii's capabilities, and hopefully with the Wii U tablet controller, there is at least one or two innovative and captivating games that sees repeat play, much like a good Euro-board game, that you can practically make a night out of it.

Of course this scenario isn't very marketable for Nintendo, as they would of course like to sell more than one or two games that fully utilize the systems capabilities, but there is always room for smaller, indie developers to create unique experiences (like the Penny Arcade hinted DnD scenario) on the (hopefully robust and lively) downloadable service. I'm sure Nintendo could come up with some nice downloadable titles as well that would make for good multiplayer using the tablet.

What I personally would like to see more advertising focused on is the non-TV, direct to tablet gaming (good for when someone monopolizes the TV), as this is another great feature for me, but that probably wouldn't look very appealing in a typical 'American Family' advert.
 
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