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.

[Shok]

Nintendo and their vague, difficult answers lol.

[-Mika-]

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

[sidar]

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.

[jjdoyle]

@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

[beerkeg]

@jjdoyle

Is this Talk like Gollum Day?

[mrbojingles]

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 Camper]

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.

[SilentNegotiator]

@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.

[ConstipatedGorilla]

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.

[sidar]

@silent,

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

[Neonridr]

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.

[guitarded77]

@ 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.

[iamnsuperman]

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

[jjdoyle]

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

[MariaHelFutura]

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

[Chidori]

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-hollow]

You can buy long USB cables for the ps3 controller.

[Baka-akaB]

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 .

[Lazyeye79]

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-akaB]

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

[False-Patriot]

Obviously no, lol.

[tweet75]

suprised it doesnt require AA batteries like the wiimote.

[wastedcells]

Ya like the balance board too. Nintendo is like apple in that they usually use properitary cables. Wouldn't be surprised if its a special cable if that were an option.

[ronin4life]

The wiiu gamepad ac adapter is supposed to be the same as the 3ds's.

[dark-hollow]

Wait you can only charge the gamepad from an ac adapter?
why? Charging directly to the USB port is much more convenient, and bigger devices with bigger batteries like tablets have no problem charging through usb ports.

[linkratos]

I think it's to make the Control Pad more portable around your house. Plug it into any wall socket around you regardless of where you are.

I thought the same thing until someone brought this to my attention.

[kingPoS]

For me not being able to charge via usb is a real downer
I'd rather deal with a usb hub than an extension cable.

[Grenade]

The launch is weeks away and they're still not answering questions about it.
I'm not surprised though, the Wii U is definitely not next gen.

[MasterCratosKong66]

cool guy over here brings that gem of a comment out of nowhere

[AWBrawler]

Unless you're a PC gamer (they upgrade damn near every other month) You can shut up with that not Next gen talk. lol fanboys. I'm glad I was able to play all 3 consoles and enjoy all the best games and wasn't some close minded fanboy this gen or any other gen.

When wii U gets exclusives that you want, you'll swallow that nonsensical elitist pride and get one.

[Ck1x]

That's it, i'm writing this console off because i'm not sure if I can charge the gamepad up from USB! WiiU sux and Nintendo sux... Lol

To Some of the people on this site, that's what you sound like about this info! If it can great, if it can't oh well. But that's not a make or break situation of whether or not I buy the system...

[jacen100]

Yea there is some pure Numskys on this site.
Cant wait to get mine

[jboy]

Whahaha Whahahah Mummy Mummy!!!! the WiiU cant be charged by usb, Whahaha Whahahah!! , Write another letter and tell Santa not to bring me one now.
hahaha some people on here are laughable.

[Moncole]

At least you don't need AA batteries.

[GroundsKeeperJimbo]

http://www.amazon.com/Energ...
;]

[Stroke666]

While usb charging option wouldn't be bad, is it really that serious. Even if it doesnt have the option, what difference is it really going to make. Having an ac adaptor would allow you to charge the gamepad where you are rather than restricting you to a particular radius around the console.

[MasterCratosKong66]

glad there is an article about this...

[Cam977]

I'm not getting one.

[ConstipatedGorilla]

But you are getting a thumbs down at least.

[Cam977]

Really? Why thankyou, you too!

[DivineAssault]

Thats obviously a NO u cant.. With the think launching so soon, that shouldve easily been answered.. wow.. so u need a ac adaptor for the console which is no biggy but a 3-5 hour battery life on the main controller needs it too? i guess after each play session, it will need to be docked to charge.. Now how bout this, what if someone has the basic model? do u need to buy a dock or extra charge cable for the tab? Nintendo & their cheap trickery always finds a way to get u.. smh I REALLY hope im wrong & they just fail to inform ppl something thats a simple question.. i cant believe this

[DFresh]

Facepalm.
Nintendo lagging behind in the most basic of features.
smh

[AWBrawler]

Why is this a big deal? My iPod, my android, my Kindle fire, my 3DS, my PSP, and my DSi all charge using wall socket. I don't like using USB anyway. It takes longer and i am restricted to staying in that small radius.

I wish people would stop nitpicking little shit to whine about. Are we gamers or are we babies?