Twilight Princess 3DS?

[FritzWhite]

As much as I like the gamepad, I'm surprised Nintendo didn't offer a less expensive entry level Wii U without it, similar to the non-Kinect version of Xbox1. The few games that utilize the gamepad in gameplay could be slightly altered to work without it. I think they could do a similar thing with a new system, offering a version that comes with a gamepad like handheld that can be used on the go, and also a version without which uses standard controllers.

[Arseen]

As much as I like the gamepad, I'm surprised Nintendo didn't offer a less expensive entry level Wii U without it, similar to the non-Kinect version of Xbox1. The few games that utilize the gamepad in gameplay could be slightly altered to work without it. I think they could do a similar thing with a new system, offering a version that comes with a gamepad like handheld that can be used on the go, and also a version without which uses standard controllers.

But then they can't expect allpeople owning game pad which limits game developers.
And game pad is the whole gimmick of WiiY

[Jeff]

The New 3DS seems to handle Xenoblade well.

I thought of that minutes after posting. After watching a few videos, the new 3ds might be able to handle twilight princess, but from what I remember TP has better textures and models than Xenoblade. I'm probably wrong though.

Either way, it would still be weird for Zelda team B to have a Twilight Princess engine ready this close after Majora's Mask.

[FritzWhite]

As much as I like the gamepad, I'm surprised Nintendo didn't offer a less expensive entry level Wii U without it, similar to the non-Kinect version of Xbox1. The few games that utilize the gamepad in gameplay could be slightly altered to work without it. I think they could do a similar thing with a new system, offering a version that comes with a gamepad like handheld that can be used on the go, and also a version without which uses standard controllers.

But then they can't expect allpeople owning game pad which limits game developers.
And game pad is the whole gimmick of WiiY

I haven't seen any gamepad features that couldn't be adapted to a standard controller.
 The gamepad could be an upgradable feature, kind of like playing a racing game with a wheel. It's the best way to go for the ultimate experience, but still possible to play without it.

[SegaNomadman]

I haven't seen any gamepad features that couldn't be adapted to a standard controller.
 The gamepad could be an upgradable feature, kind of like playing a racing game with a wheel. It's the best way to go for the ultimate experience, but still possible to play without it.

On the contrary, almost all of the features used in Nintendo Land could not be done without the gamepad's screen and touch controls. Games like the Luigi's Mansion attraction would be rendered useless (the ghost would have to be visible) and Yoshi's fruit cart would not be a challange (seeing the fruit and drawing the line with only a cursor). Anyways the Wii U is still cheaper than other consoles that don't have a gamepad. I think that the memory difference for a downgrade and price reduction was the best way to go.

[FritzWhite]

I haven't seen any gamepad features that couldn't be adapted to a standard controller.
 The gamepad could be an upgradable feature, kind of like playing a racing game with a wheel. It's the best way to go for the ultimate experience, but still possible to play without it.

On the contrary, almost all of the features used in Nintendo Land could not be done without the gamepad's screen and touch controls. Games like the Luigi's Mansion attraction would be rendered useless (the ghost would have to be visible) and Yoshi's fruit cart would not be a challange (seeing the fruit and drawing the line with only a cursor). Anyways the Wii U is still cheaper than other consoles that don't have a gamepad. I think that the memory difference for a downgrade and price reduction was the best way to go.

Good point on Nintendo Land. A work around for a game that required the gamepad would be to label the game as "only for gamepad", similar to the Xbox kinect game line. The gamepad by itself is much more costly than the extra memory, so inexpensive as the Wii U is, making the gamepad optional would allow for a very affordable version. Don't get me wrong, I like the gamepad, but  a Wii U without might sell pretty well at a lower price.

[wiggy]

As much as I like the gamepad, I'm surprised Nintendo didn't offer a less expensive entry level Wii U without it, similar to the non-Kinect version of Xbox1. The few games that utilize the gamepad in gameplay could be slightly altered to work without it. I think they could do a similar thing with a new system, offering a version that comes with a gamepad like handheld that can be used on the go, and also a version without which uses standard controllers.

But then they can't expect allpeople owning game pad which limits game developers.
And game pad is the whole gimmick of WiiY

I haven't seen any gamepad features that couldn't be adapted to a standard controller.
 The gamepad could be an upgradable feature, kind of like playing a racing game with a wheel. It's the best way to go for the ultimate experience, but still possible to play without it.

You can't offer something like that as an option. 3rd party devs won't make games that utilize it. 

A steering wheel controller isn't really the best comparison beuase it does EXACTLY what a normal controller does, just with a different layout.

Look at the N64. 4 controller ports from the factory meant TONS of 4-player 3rd party games. Then look at older consoles which required 4-player adapters. Very few 4-player games exist for those consoles.

I think the gamepad is awesome.  I don't think many games make the most of it, but those that do make it worthwhile IMO.

[KMSoulja]

i think the pro controller should be supported for second controller at least. Like there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to use the pro controller in multi player as a 2nd controller. Those wii-motes are kind of annoying in my opinion.

[FritzWhite]

As much as I like the gamepad, I'm surprised Nintendo didn't offer a less expensive entry level Wii U without it, similar to the non-Kinect version of Xbox1. The few games that utilize the gamepad in gameplay could be slightly altered to work without it. I think they could do a similar thing with a new system, offering a version that comes with a gamepad like handheld that can be used on the go, and also a version without which uses standard controllers.

But then they can't expect allpeople owning game pad which limits game developers.
And game pad is the whole gimmick of WiiY

I haven't seen any gamepad features that couldn't be adapted to a standard controller.
 The gamepad could be an upgradable feature, kind of like playing a racing game with a wheel. It's the best way to go for the ultimate experience, but still possible to play without it.

You can't offer something like that as an option. 3rd party devs won't make games that utilize it.  

A steering wheel controller isn't really the best comparison beuase it does EXACTLY what a normal controller does, just with a different layout.

Look at the N64. 4 controller ports from the factory meant TONS of 4-player 3rd party games. Then look at older consoles which required 4-player adapters. Very few 4-player games exist for those consoles.

I think the gamepad is awesome.  I don't think many games make the most of it, but those that do make it worthwhile IMO.

I think gamepad is awesome too and I don't think it should disappear, but should become optional for the Wii U. You're right that many games don't make the most of it, least of all 3rd party games. 3rd party support for the Wii U is already pretty low and most of them don't do anything very creative with it anyway. Most of the games are either very easy to adapt to play with a pro controller or could be labeled as gamepad exclusives. Besides, you can play a decent amount of games on the Wii U with only a pro controller if the gamepad weren't required to navigate the start up menu, which could be easily patched.

Again, I like the gamepad. I think it's great and fun to use, but 3rd party support is low. Wii U system sales overall aren't that great. Offering a 'basic' version of the Wii U at significantly reduced cost could give the system a boost and get more of them out there.

If the Wii U were more successful, and had more 3rd party support and games (other than 1st party Nintendo or Ubisoft) that made great use of the gamepad, I wouldn't say the gamepad should become optional. Unfortunately, the Wii U has been out longer than PS4 and Xbox One yet has the worst sales. They need something besides Amibos to pump their image.

Edit: They should drop region locking.

[Seraph Man]

Besides, you can play a decent amount of games on the Wii U with only a pro controller if the gamepad weren't required to navigate the start up menu, which could be easily patched.

Actually, you don't need the gamepad to navigate the start up menu. When in the start up menu, turn on your Pro Controller and Press X to swap the TV with the Gamepad screens. The left stick becomes a finger which you can use to select things similar to using the stick on the Guitar Hero Guitar for the Wii. You still need the Gamepad for things like Miiverse, but to go straight to the game, it's not required.

They need something besides Amiibos to pump their image.

Unfortunately, the Amiibos are the hot, new thing for Nintendo, and the Gamepad is the only way to use them on the Wuu.

Edit: They should drop region locking.

That's something we can all get behind.


I remember once, a while back, hearing something to the extent that the Wuu would support up to 2 Gamepads, though it'd only come with one, and eventually you'd be able to buy a second. This never came to fruition, but if it had, I believe they would have eventually released a version of the Wuu with a Pro Controller instead of a Gamepad, and just have certain features disabled until one gets linked to the console, ie. Miiverse. But yes, if they provide consumers with a version that does not have a Gamepad, the few 3rd parties that develop for the system will just stop all focus on the Gamepad, with very minor exceptions.

We do need more games that really take advantage of the Gamepad, but those games are almost always going to be single player games. Nintendoland proved you can make games that are multiplayer and use the Gamepad uniquely, but as far as I can see, it's the only game that did so, until Kirby's Rainbow Curse.

[FritzWhite]

Besides, you can play a decent amount of games on the Wii U with only a pro controller if the gamepad weren't required to navigate the start up menu, which could be easily patched.

Actually, you don't need the gamepad to navigate the start up menu. When in the start up menu, turn on your Pro Controller and Press X to swap the TV with the Gamepad screens. The left stick becomes a finger which you can use to select things similar to using the stick on the Guitar Hero Guitar for the Wii. You still need the Gamepad for things like Miiverse, but to go straight to the game, it's not required.

Nice, I personally use the gamepad at the start up and in general when I play, but options are nice.

They need something besides Amiibos to pump their image.

Unfortunately, the Amiibos are the hot, new thing for Nintendo, and the Gamepad is the only way to use them on the Wuu.

Amibos are a good thing for Nintendo. My argument is that selling more Wii U systems would be even better. A less expensive system will give them a big sales boost.

Edit: They should drop region locking.

That's something we can all get behind.


I remember once, a while back, hearing something to the extent that the Wuu would support up to 2 Gamepads, though it'd only come with one, and eventually you'd be able to buy a second. This never came to fruition, but if it had, I believe they would have eventually released a version of the Wuu with a Pro Controller instead of a Gamepad, and just have certain features disabled until one gets linked to the console, ie. Miiverse. But yes, if they provide consumers with a version that does not have a Gamepad, the few 3rd parties that develop for the system will just stop all focus on the Gamepad, with very minor exceptions.

We do need more games that really take advantage of the Gamepad, but those games are almost always going to be single player games. Nintendoland proved you can make games that are multiplayer and use the Gamepad uniquely, but as far as I can see, it's the only game that did so, until Kirby's Rainbow Curse.

2 years ago I wouldn't argue that that the gamepad should be made optional for fear that 3rd party support for it would drop, but at this point, there isn't much to lose. This doesn't seem likely to change either. Who else besides Ubisoft and of course Nintendo has really done anything interesting with it? It's unfortunate that there isn't better 3rd party support, but Nintendo has made a good number of exclusives that utilize the gamepad and making it optional at this point isn't going to prevent a great 3rd party game from being released that otherwise would have been made. The systems been out too long and hasn't sold well enough.

I like drawing platforms in Kirby, but I think that game would have benefitted from Wii Remote support for single player, similar to a game called Ivy the Kiwi?. As it is, you really only look at the gamepad while playing and having the option to play while looking at the TV would be neat.