Hardware Has Gamepad Battery life been a problem for you?

[blaisedinsd]

How much battery life do you get on average?

Do you ever have to stop playing because your gamepad can't keep up with your gaming session?

 

[ShadowSoldier]

No. I use a pro controller anyways. Even then, why would anyone want to sit more than 5 hours straight. That's sad.

 

[mysticwaterfall]

Around 3 hours or so, but I've never actually timed it. I have the nyko usb charge cable, so on the occasion the pad does start to go low I just plug that in. Otherwise I have it on the cradle all the time when I'm not using it.

 

[mysticwaterfall]

Around 3 hours or so, but I've never actually timed it. I have the nyko usb charge cable, so on the occasion the pad does start to go low I just plug that in. Otherwise I have it on the cradle all the time when I'm not using it.

 

[FearItSelf23]

It hasn't every been a problem for me whether netflix is on basically all day or we are playing games off and on all day it's never a big deal. Every 2-4 play sessions I stick it on the charge dock and always put it on the dock before I go to sleep so it hasn't been a problem. I guess if you are someone who actually sits down and plays for 5 hours on a full charge though you might have an issue but I frequently get up to do other things so it always has time to rest on the dock.

 

[BenRK]

It hasn't been much of an issue. I have power outlets where ever I need them. I wouldn't mind getting a bigger battery for it, but as I usually leave it plugged in when I'm watching Netflix in the bedroom, gaming on it hasn't been an issue.

 

[Warlord698]

i usually have it plugged in when playing, but you know eventuallt somebody is gonna release an extended life battery anyways

 

[The Real Jdbye]

The charger cable is rather long so playing with the charger in isn't a big issue, but I've had to do that a few times. If it had double the battery capacity (6-7 hrs) I would pretty much never have to recharge it while playing unless I didn't dock it after last time I played.
If I'm going to be playing throughout the day taking breaks I tend to leave the console on, and that wastes the battery if I forget to dock it between each time I play (which I usually do when I leave the console on) but the Wii U turns off after 1 hour without usage anyway.

 

[Qtis]

Even then, why would anyone want to sit more than 5 hours straight. That's sad.

Multiplayer/party games? That's pretty much the best part of the WiiU (or the Wii for that matter). Passing the controller for 5 hours isn't that hard if there are a bunch of people and the idea is to spend the night (we charged the controller when eating pizza :3).

My experience with the WiiU Gamepad is a bit mixed. It has great ways to add new gameplay elements (NintendoLand is a good example of multiple new ways of getting a multiplayer experience), but the problem is the limited battery life. I'd imagine the second revision of the Gamepad will fix this

 

[ShadowSoldier]

Multiplayer/party games? That's pretty much the best part of the WiiU (or the Wii for that matter). Passing the controller for 5 hours isn't that hard if there are a bunch of people and the idea is to spend the night (we charged the controller when eating pizza :3).

My experience with the WiiU Gamepad is a bit mixed. It has great ways to add new gameplay elements (NintendoLand is a good example of multiple new ways of getting a multiplayer experience), but the problem is the limited battery life. I'd imagine the second revision of the Gamepad will fix this

Ya see, me and a party still wouldn't sit for 5 hours straight. Guess it's just different for everyone.

 

[Warlord698]

hell, I've had LAN parties (within the last year as well) that have gone from 7PM to 4AM easily, there's always that TV that's off to the side with Smash Bros BRAWL for those who need a little break from a FPS

 

[JoostinOnline]

I don't feel like writing it out all again, but check out the thread I posted on an extended battery, specifically the part AFTER the quoted article.

 

[blaisedinsd]

Cool, an extended battery seems worth it. It looks like there is a lot of extra space in the battery compartment.

It would be nice to be able to charge a spare battery and swap if you need to as well.

 

[JoostinOnline]

Cool, an extended battery seems worth it. It looks like there is a lot of extra space in the battery compartment.

It would be nice to be able to charge a spare battery and swap if you need to as well.

The version that is available now sticks out of your gamepad. I'm waiting for the one that fits in the compartment.

 

[blaisedinsd]

The version that is available now sticks out of your gamepad. I'm waiting for the one that fits in the compartment.

Cool, looks like a great solution. Getting that you would have a spare battery, but it looks like it has some wired connector. Is there anything that will let you charge the battery with out the gamepad?

 

[JoostinOnline]

Cool, looks like a great solution. Getting that you would have a spare battery, but it looks like it has some wired connector. Is there anything that will let you charge the battery with out the gamepad?

I don't thing so. I'm pretty sure it charges just like with the normal gamepad.

 

[Deltaechoe]

I rarely play games on my wii U, it's usually running netflix so I just leave it on the cradle

 

[Jan1tor]

I have had no problem with mine, I think I had to cradle it one time. I also get good range with it. Normally I keep it upstairs in my hobby room but I can make it downstairs and about half way through my kitchen before I start loosing my connection. I can get to all the upstairs room with it an half downstairs.

 

[KingVamp]

Usually I leave it on the charger, unless I'm moving around the house. So it isn't a bother.

the Wii U turns off after 1 hour without usage anyway.

You know you can change that in options, right?

 

[Ray Lewis]

i usually have it plugged in when playing, but you know eventuallt somebody is gonna release an extended life battery anyways

This is what I was going to say. I usually keep it plugged in anyway so I don't worry about it. The power cable is fairly long so I can still move around also.