Hardware Should Nintendo make the GamePad optional?

[shinkodachi]

You haven't seen any games that necessitated the gamepad?

I think we're not on the same wavelength here. Here's what I particularly said that I want to emphasize before continuing with my post: I've yet to see a game on the Wii U use the GamePad to the extent that I deemed the experience a must have.

How about Nintendoland with the asymmetric multiplayer gameplay? ZombiU that had you manage your inventory and perform actions in real-time on the gamepad while still being able to look over your shoulder on the TV to see if Zombies are coming at you?

I get what you're saying, but honestly as much as I liked Nintendo Land, it's mostly a demonstration of the Wii U GamePad's capabilities much like Wii Sports was a demonstration of the Wiimote and motion controls. The idea of asymmetric gameplay is excellent, but it's poorly executed throughout all Wii U games out there that support it. The only instance in which I liked asymmetric gameplay is in Wii Party U. Even then, as the game is mostly played with Wiimotes, it felt like a chore to constantly switch between the Wii U GamePad and Wiimote as the game dictated the direction. I haven't played ZombiU so I can't comment on that.

If you want more games to have the option to use the Pro controller when the particular game does not necessitate the functionality of the gamepad, I'll support that. If you want condemn the gamepad to the peripheral purgatory the Kinect and Move have been doomed to, I don't see how you can say you love it.

I want more games for the Wii U, period. It's become very apparent from many different developers that developing for the Wii U takes extra time partly because of the Wii U GamePad. So I see it as a hindrance to a better overall experience. What's the use of having a peripheral that works well only with a handful of games and outside of these games there's nothing else to play? I'd rather have a console with a fully packed library of games to choose from. That's my point. And it's totally possible to love something while being critical of it. E.g. as much as Kinect is useless in my opinion, it's still the better "controller" for Just Dance vs. PS Move and Wiimote (I should know, I own and play all of the Just Dance games since the first game).

 

[WiiCube_2013]

well its too late to change now. don't worry the fusion won't have a gamepad

Saying "well it's too late to change now" doesn't make it right they could update it to work with any controller if they updated the function on the next firmware update.

People here defend the GamePad with silly excuses.

 

[migles]

get rid of the gamepad (sell it separated), release update for make N3ds (and if possible 3ds) as the gamepad! sadly the gamepad and 3ds screens resolution are diferent... and this would be really hard to implement...
can stream 3ds games to tv using wii u!

they could do plenty of things...

 

[Bladexdsl]

Saying "well it's too late to change now" doesn't make it right they could update it to work with any controller if they updated the function on the next firmware update.

People here defend the GamePad with silly excuses.

no fw can change that the gamepad needs to be calibrated and than used to set up all the settings at very 1st use. it's practically hard coded in so as i said too late now.

People here defend the GamePad with silly excuses.

when possible i always use the pro controller. so i'm not defending it. you just don't understand just how integrated it is into the wiiu and why it can't be removed now.

 

[WiiCube_2013]

you just don't understand just how integrated it is into the wiiu and why it can't be removed now.

They said that Xbox One couldn't work without Kinect and then look -- They removed it entirely and it works perfectly without it.

I don't need to be a developer or what have you to know that they can make it happen.

 

[Shady Guy Jose]

I'd love to see a "Wii U Pro" bundle. Comes with the Wii U Deluxe and a Pro Controller, sans GamePad. Oh, and if Nintendo is any serious about digital distribution then redesign the Wii U to accommodate a traditional hard drive and include a 500GB inside.

They did better: it fully supports external hard drives out of the box, allowing you to buy one separately and not having to open up the console or replace the included memory with a painful transfer process.

 

[shinkodachi]

They said that Xbox One couldn't work without Kinect and then look -- They removed it entirely and it works perfectly without it.

Exactly. Saying the Wii U GamePad is integral and has to be part of a Wii U is beside the point we're arguing here. For better or worse, it's here to stay. Most of us likely understand that point and can still be happy with their purchase.

They did better: it fully supports external hard drives out of the box, allowing you to buy one separately and not having to open up the console or replace the included memory with a painful transfer process.

That's not necessarily better, though. I'd pay for a 500GB Wii U if it was available. I have my Wii U next to my TV in vertical position, it looks very good, but that's because there's nothing dangling from its back. Additionally, I'd very much like to use the limited number of USB ports on the back for other purposes (GameCube Controller Adapter) and I don't like having anything connected to the front to keep it clean looking.