250°

Can the Wii U GamePad be charged with a USB port on the console? Nintendo answers, sort of...

"The Wii U's release is just over a month away now, on November 18th. (44 days, 4 hours, 15 minutes 30 seconds away as of typing this!) Each Wii U console, whether the Deluxe Set or Basic Set, will come with a Wii U GamePad and apparently a Wii U GamePad AC Adapter. From the only pictures I have seen of it, the Wii U GamePad AC Adapter requires an AC outlet; meaning it must be plugged in a wall outlet or power strip.

While the Wii U GamePad can be charged with a cable that has to be plugged in a power outlet for it to charge the GamePad, I was curious if the Wii U GamePad can be charged with just a USB port on the console itself. After some searching and not finding any direct answer to the question, I contacted Nintendo to find out.

I asked, 'Can the Wii U GamePad be charged using a USB port on the Wii U console, just with a separate cable; or, can it only be charged with a wall AC outlet?' Brew yourself some coffee, and see how Nintendo responded below!", writes CoffeeWithGames.

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Shok4213d ago

Nintendo and their vague, difficult answers lol.

-Mika-4213d ago

It not funny. It just sad. They should not have any problems answering that simple question.

ChickeyCantor4212d ago (Edited 4212d ago )

It's just some person that works at Nintendo who probably doesn't even know all the ins and outs. He emailed Nintendo, you think Reggie is 24/7 reading these emails? He doesn't even see them.

They aren't allowed to give away information unless it's someone like Reggie or Iwata ( or someone similar in such position).

This person is just your average joe. He was specifically promoting the "Cradle" like the Nintendo personal he is.

jjdoyle4212d ago

@sidars
you didnts even read it dids you? he contacteds them two times on it
they provideds different answers boths times knowings the previous answers they gaves him

beerkeg4212d ago

@jjdoyle

Is this Talk like Gollum Day?

mrbojingles4212d ago

I dunno, maybe they don't have cables ready to produce yet? Maybe they're still making that decision whether to let it be USB powered too? Isn't AC powered always a faster charge anyway?

Campy da Camper4212d ago

I want to know how long the battery will last on the controller. If I have to stop playing to charge it, then how long do I have to game? Some weekends I can sit for 6 hours straight and play a game. If there is no USB charging while playing and the battery life is only 2-3 hours then Houston, we have a problem.

SilentNegotiator4212d ago (Edited 4212d ago )

@sidar

The system is a month from release. It's time for even the little guys at Nintendo to know simple details like that.

Heck, they should have known before starting preorders.

ConstipatedGorilla4212d ago

Mika, I know it's hard for you, but you need to try and not troll these Nintendo articles. We all get it - you don't care too much for Nintendo. You're going to be down to 1 bubble soon.

ChickeyCantor4212d ago

@silent,

Even so. They are in no position to give answers like that. No matter how trivial it is.

Neonridr4209d ago

it's not like you can't continue using the gamepad even if you have to charge it. Obviously if you don't have an outlet near you, then yes, that could be a problem.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4209d ago
guitarded774212d ago

@ Shok

Tell me about it... I wish they'd go into detail about the accomplishment system for the Wii U. First they say there will be some sort of system through MiiUniverse, then they say it won't be required by devs in an overarching system. They can't just say "here's what we're gonna do". I got the deluxe system which comes with a charge cradle, so I'm not too concerned about the charging issue... although my power strip is getting overworked.

iamnsuperman4213d ago (Edited 4213d ago )

Wow I wasn't expecting that first response. What kid of answer is that. It sounds like it can't be as saying no information a month before release hints at it being more of a no than a yes but who knows. Really odd answer for somethig quite basic and simple to answer

jjdoyle4213d ago

im justs glads i donts have one reserved nintendo needs to answers questions now

MariaHelFutura4213d ago

I could care less how you charge the controller. USB or an outlet makes no difference to me.

Chidori4212d ago (Edited 4212d ago )

While I would prefer to have a USB option available, it really doesn't matter to me either. I guess I got comfortable with charging me ps3 controller. But charging the gamepad would be no different than charging my phone per say, so it's cool if that's the only method.

What I was thinking about though....since the gamepad is such a nice piece of costly tech, also taking into consideration that stand alone gamepad's won't be available to us any time soon, maybe Nintendo decided this with us consumers in mind. Having to work with a short USB cable running from the console probably isn't the safest thing. There's countless times where my ps3 controller has fell to the ground while charging because of various different reasons. Mainly because of the short USB which reaches as far as a few inches away from the console and my entertainment center which is always kept busy. If we're forced to charge the gamepad in a safer zone or even just a longer cord to work with, I'm sure it will all be for the better. I don't want my fancy new Nintendo tablet receiving the same treatment as my ps3 controller.

EDIT: Yes I'm sure you can buy longer USB cables for the ps3 controller. Fact of the matter is, most people won't. It's not about me or you, it's about the gaming population. You can buy 3DS battery packs with longer life, but most people won't. That's why we choose to complain about it instead.

dark-hollow4212d ago

You can buy long USB cables for the ps3 controller.

Baka-akaB4212d ago

You know guys , it's not that it matter so much , but its about getting concrete answers instead of vaguelessness and ether .

It's just annoying to go through such process only weeks away from a launch , as if there were big secrets to uphold .

Lazyeye794212d ago

I think having it charge through an AC adapter is better. The charge times will probably be quicker and I wont have to leave my console on (or some other USB powering device) and can instead leave it plugged in while at work or sleeping, so its always charged when I need it without having to leave anything on.

Baka-akaB4212d ago

It isnt better when your area is prone to random surges and other hazards . Even with protectors

Show all comments (43)
80°

Nintendo's Massacre Of The 3DS And Wii U Is Finally Complete, Regrettably

Hanzala from eXputer: "The cruel hammer of Nintendo has fallen. Farewell, 3DS and Wii U, you surely brightened my life and many others; you won't be forgotten."

280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple1015d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref4d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde4d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander19724d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville4d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff21834d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos3d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3d ago
isarai5d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref4d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan4d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis0073d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander19724d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

4d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19724d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

4d ago
4d ago
Zeref4d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde4d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander19724d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander19724d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier4d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto4d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff21834d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto3d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3d ago
Hofstaderman4d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts4d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts3d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic3d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)
90°

Nintendo's War Against Player-Made Content Will Hurt The Company In The End

Danish from eXputer: "Nintendo has historically gone against player-made content and emulation of its games. This has done much to harm the company's image."

XiNatsuDragnel11d ago

I agree nintendo hire some these folks to help in your games it'll help imo.

banger8810d ago

They need to stop announcing these mods and fan remakes until they're finished. Finish it, upload it, and then if Nintendo dmca's it tough shit. Once it's online, people can share it around, even if the original download gets taken down.

Jingsing10d ago

True, but most modders need constant admiration during the process to motivate them.

PRIMORDUS10d ago

Yup, once it's a torrent nothing can be done Nintendo is helpless at that point. But it would be wise if they just had a site on the dark web, it's also easy to use with Tor and no one will bother you.

mastershredder9d ago

This is all coming from the mouth of short-sighted fandom and grifting madness.
No.... it wont. There is a clear defined reason why they don't. This is nothing new. Make your own shi7 from your own original ideas especially if you are trying to capitalize of it it. Duh.

Yeah, hire people that have zero respect or understanding for an established process. Wow. Yep. Totally makes sense.

shinoff21839d ago

Those guys that made that sonic game got a gig from sega or something along those lines and that game was dope as hell. One of the best sonics as of late.