Hardware Which controler do I need?

[sublimemovement]

I got my kids a Wii U for christmas. Yes this may be a stupid question but I can't find an answer anywhere. So, do I need wiimotes or pro controlers?
My understanding is that the pro controller will not work in vWii mode but how many games need the pro remote in Wii U mode? Secondly, is the wiimote used for all games Wii U or vWii mode and the pro controler just an optional controller simply for prefrence?

In short what (other than the gamepad) will be used primarily for most games?

I do understand some games can use both so I am not looking for personal preferences but rather I need hard facts.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[slingblade1170]

I got my kids a Wii U for christmas. Yes this may be a stupid question but I can't find an answer anywhere. So, do I need wiimotes or pro controlers?
My understanding is that the pro controller will not work in vWii mode but how many games need the pro remote in Wii U mode? Secondly, is the wiimote used for all games Wii U or vWii mode and the pro controler just an optional controller simply for prefrence?

In short what (other than the gamepad) will be used primarily for most games?

I do understand some games can use both so I am not looking for personal preferences but rather I need hard facts.

Thanks for all your help.

Ok for Wii mode (vWii) you will need Wiimotes, classic controller, nunchuck, etc. In Wii U mode you can use the gamepad, pro controller or even wiimotes there as well. Every game requires the gamepad in one way or another but most games support multiple controller styles.

 

[sublimemovement]

Ok so if I get 4 wiimotes motion plus and some nunchucks to start I should be safe for the majority of games across the board?

 

[slingblade1170]

Ok so if I get 4 wiimotes motion plus and some nunchucks to start I should be safe for the majority of games across the board?

Yes, I can't think of a game you could not play with that setup.

 

[sublimemovement]

Thanks for the quick response slingblae. I was pretty sure that was the case I just wanted som confirmation for piece of mind. 4 controllers plus is pretty expensive. Lol although I will probably be getting some cheap 3rd party controllers.

Any thoughts on what is a good brand other than the official Nintendo brand. Would also be helpful.

 

[blaisedinsd]

This all depends on what games you are getting.

All your old Wii accessories are compatible. Wii motes are rarely required to be the motion plus ones.

I have had the Wii U since March and play lots of multiplayer. I did not buy any controllers and the majority of multiplayer has been done with the plain old original Wii controller, not motion plus.

Nintendoland has 2 games that require wii motion plus and one of those also requires nunchuck. I don't think that one minigame in a collection means you should go out and buy 4 motion plus controllers with 4 nunchucks unless you simply have money to burn.

It also doesn't make much sense to go buy 4 Wii U pro controllers.

I got a controller with Wii Party U and I did not buy a pro controller until 3D world came out. 3D world supports every controller for multiplayer, I usually have everyone using a different one at the same time.

 

[ShadowSoldier]

You should really look on the back of game cases to see what controllers can be used.

For Mario 3D World, Mario Bros U, Super Luigi U, you can just use the WiiRemote.

Games like Pikmin, Call of Duty, you could use pro controllers or WiiMote + Nunchucks.

 

[blaisedinsd]

Gamestop here in the USA sells used Wiiremotes for $20

You can get classic controllers for $15

You can get balance board for $15

Nunchuck is also $15

I usually recommend to go with official controllers to avoid problems.

 

[sublimemovement]

Thanks for all the responses. I do know that some games wull work better with one controller over another but it seems that the consensus is the wiimote will get the job done kost of the time. I have 5 boys so I need to buy 4 of something I just didn't want to be stuck going out Christmas morning buying 4 diffrent controlers because the ones I bought dint work with most of the games. Thanks for the info on the mario and lugi games. I got the new bundle so those are the 2 main games I was concerned with for the moment.

Thanks agin.

 

[sublimemovement]

I just wanted to say thanks again for all of the information. I did a little leg work and hit some liqidation store in my are and managed to get lucky enough to find 3 officially licensed wiumotes with motion plus for a total of 50 bucks, a pro controler for 25 bucks, and a nunchuck for 10. All that with the one wiimote I got with my bundle should get us all by while I look for more awsome deals for 3 more nunchucks and 3 more pro controlers. All the boxes were a bit bamged up but everything works great. So I can't really complain that I got the lot of all officially licensed controllers for 85 bucks. Santa must think I have been a good boy this year. lol

 

[bezem]

Nintendo's online store currently has white, black, and blue Wiimote Plus + Nunchuk combos for $20. They're refurbished, but Nintendo Refurbished can't be beat.

 

[jacnl2000]

Some relative old Mario games do require the usage of the classic controller.

Btw. when I do replace the nunchuk by the classic controller,too soon, that is, before the startup of the USB loader GX, then the USB loader GX will not startup properly but crash consistently.

 

[pwsincd]

Have had the wiiu since launch , roughly a year now , and havent yet felt the need for the pro controller .... although i ve bought my son one for xmas as he asked for one off of santa.. for COD. So i guess its personal preference.