Wii gives you double vision: Are two screens really better than one?

dailymail.co.uk: Nintendo has finally caught up with the rest of the world: the Wii U offers HD graphics, and games look similar to PS3 games, just in time for Sony to ditch that and bring out a new console next year.

[Nevers0ft]

About as accurate as every other Daily Fail article... As shallow as a puddle and oblivious to the fact that the Wii U has an Internet browser: "The 6.2in screen isn’t as HD as top-end tablets, but you can watch Lovefilm and Netflix on it – although Nintendo’s ‘child-safe’ approach means there’s no ‘proper’ internet"

*facepalm*

[Pushagree]

I find it interesting that the wiimote is in the pic when it didn't even have enough practical uses to carry over to the wii U. Nintendo is just about creating fads rather than creating things that people actually need in gaming now. I can guarantee this tablet idea won't make it to the next generation either.

[Nevers0ft]

But the Wiimote DID carry over to the Wii U. Out of the games I have I can confirm that Sonic Racing, Super Mario, ZombiU (in two player), Tekken, Blops2 and Trine 2 all support it... Nintendo hardly ditched it.

Unless you mean why didn't they pack one in with the Wii U? It may sound arrogant on their part but I expect they assumed most people have at least one already so they can shave that cost off the price of the SKU... How accurate that assumption is, I don't know - but I have about 6 of the blighters because I replaced a couple for my Wii with Motion+ models.

[admiralvic]

The Wiimote still has practical uses, though it depends on what you do. If you play with 2 people on Mario, then you have to use 2 Wii Motes. If you want to play with another on Nintendo Land, than you need a Wii Mote (or if you want to use the sword in the zelda game, then you 100% need the wiimote). The only reason why it's NOT included is simple, they didn't want to add more cost and or imply that you're paying for pointless additions. Let me explain it this way...

In our reality we pay $300 - $350 for a Wii U, which includes the basics / minimal needed to use it. If they charged the SAME amount, but included a Wiimote, than people would think the Wiimote is factored into the cost and in turn complain about it being inflated with a product most people don't want / need.

[Venoxn4g]

DS proved me, that two screens are better than one already :)

[BitbyDeath]

Big difference is those screens are the exact same size.

[SilentNegotiator]

Well, ABOUT the same size.

And directly next to each other.

[Venoxn4g]

@silent it doesnt matter for me, other thing wii u pad screen is lot of more near than tv, so it's ok

@bitby 3ds had different size screens, i'm ok with them too

[Welshy]

It's entirely dependant on the type of game whether dual screens work in my opinion.

In a break neck paced game like COD, every second counts and the screen becomes a hindrance pulling your attention away from the game.

While on the flip side, it's perfect for something like Fallout where it could be perfect as a permanent PipBoy 3000 to interact with without taking you away from the game.

There is no outright 1 screen is better or 2 screen better. It;s totally subjective to the players individual taste and suitability of it in the games themselves.

[dennett316]

The screen takes ZERO attention away from the action in CoD because it's not actually used unless you're playing the game on the pad screen, or using the multi screen multiplayer.

Other than that, I agree with your post. The screen works brilliantly in Zombi U IMO, but not all games will require it.

[RETLAWx10]

That is completely false.

[Agheil]

It's all about taking a consumer's focus from other products. People usually use tablets or smart phones while watching TV or Playing games. So this double screen is mean't to fill that need for a tablet so your more focus in you gaming experience. In the end they want you to buy less of anyone else's products and just buy more of theirs.

[Jinkies]

Not really...is it taking away anything from games on the PS3/360....not really, it's just another way to play but the problem is people are making it out to be the next best thing when it's not.

I'd take better graphics, better A.I, better frame rate, better perfromance over something like two screens at the end of the day because in the long term thats what I'm going to benefit from as a gamer.

[hellvaguy]

For casual and quirky nintendo games, the second screen can and does in several ways add to the gaming experience.

For the latest FPS game, I see it having little or no relevance. You can change it up and use the xbox-like controllers in that instance.

[dennett316]

Exactly, it's about offering different ways to play, but not necessarily cramming them all into every single game.
It's there for the developers to utilise if they think it can add to the experience. People really need to try it out before outright dismissing the system and the concept.

If you can't have fun with what NintendoLand offers in terms of multiplayer, and even inventive single player, then I really think there's something dead inside you.

[Skynetone]

wii u has some good points

great nintendo hardware, which will last generations
40 watts power consumption
nintendo make the greatest games in the world
the wii u controller is something new and fresh

the bad: will it play next gen third party games in all there glory

[dennett316]

Not in their entire glory, but they'll be scaled down. Kind of like comparing a console game to a well handled PC port IMO.
I really don't think the leap to the next Xbox or Playstation will be as massive as everyone thinks it will....I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed when they see Sony and MS taking a similar approach to Nintendo in terms of focussing on different ways to play rather than out and out power.

[Qrphe]

The two-screen setup could work greatly in some game but certainly not all of them.

[MasterCornholio]

The Wii Us controller will give you a different way to play games but it will never get rid of the normal controller. This is one of the reasons why Nintendo developed a normal controller for the Wii U because they know that many people will prefer the classic controller over the new tablet one.

Motorola RAZR i

[DivineAssault]

Looking down & back up when using this system is distracting.. Sometimes confusing as to which one needs to be used at the time while navigating menus, apps, etc.. I have yet to play a wii u game that the 2nd screen actually makes the game better.. Other than removing screen clutter, there really was no purpose of having it in DS/3DS games so why would it be any different now?

[dennett316]

Zombi U says hi...the entire game is built around the gamepad and what it offers in terms of adding tension and useful abilities to the game. Radar, scanning objects, hacking, lockpicking, keypad entry, inventory management....all handled on the gamepad, and all done in real time as it would be in real life. Adding a need for strategy and timing, and it instils panic in the player as you're frantically trying to get things done before the zombies get to you. I'd think that kind of fear and tension is pretty important for a survival horror game, no?

As a final note, I don't see how you can possibly get confused. A quick glance tells you all you need to know, and many of the games out and out tell you when to look at the pad and when the TV. I question if you've actually played it at all.

[BitbyDeath]

Why not just do all that on the one screen though?
The best benefit i can see of the controller would be you'd no longer need split-screen when gaming co-op.

One can use the controller and the other can use the TV.

Or as everyone would fight over wanting to use the TV just make it so multiple controllers can be used and everyone is forced to use the tablets.

[Sketchy_Galore]

I haven't played the WiiU so I can't say for sure but I imagine the second screen might get annoying in more 'hardcore' story based games. I tend to play those kinds of games at night with the lights out and even cover up any kinds of little flashing lights that might be on any device in my peripheral vision so it doesn't distract me from the game. I can only imagine how distracting it must be to play a game on the TV with a little screen playing something else right under your nose. It seems like going to see the Godfather in the cinema but keeping your iPhone on your lap and logged into Facebook.

Still, the Daily mail is an awful source of both news and opinions and every article from any of their writers reads like its being spoken by a bitchy old rich lady at a wine and cheese party. Even when I agree with them their awful condescending tone irritates me.

[NBT91]

For me the Wii u is worth having in addition to a "main" console like the ps3/4 or 360/720 or pc whatever. Games built specifically for use with both screens use it really well. It's not just the fact it's two screens, the controller also has a touchpad making menu nav really easy, tilt sensors and cameras etc.

For examples see Nintendo land, but then look at a game like mario, that's exactly the same on both screens and you can choose which one to play on which is great IMO. It means the Wii U needn't never be switched off especially since you can use it as a tv remote too.