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Submitted by Valay 197d ago | news

GamePad battery life lasts 3-5 hours, takes 2.5 hours to recharge

Details on the battery life and charge time for the Wii U GamePad and Pro Controller have emerged. (Wii U)

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N6  +   197d ago
Can you play as it charges?
Neonridr  +   197d ago
sure, you just plug in the AC adapter to the gamepad and plug it into a wall socket I believe.
G20WLY  +   197d ago
Does it come with a charging cable or do you have to buy one separately?

If included:

1) is it USB from the console, or via the wall socket?

2) do you know how long the cable is?

Thanks in advance :)
Dr_Salvitor  +   197d ago
Its a wall socket and from what i see its got some length to it. and yes its included
camel_toad  +   197d ago
Looks like I'll have to get an extension cable just for hardcore gaming sessions considering my WiiU will be bout 10ft away from me and the nearest outlet is bout 6ft away.
miyamoto  +   196d ago
That is okay is Nintendo provides a really long charging cable.

But it beats the purpose of wireless controllers.

But is 2.5 hours recharge confirmed?

Nintendo should really make a new Wiimote model with built in rechargeable batteries. Come on N it's 2012 already.
#1.3 (Edited 196d ago ) | Agree(1) | Disagree(1) | Report | Reply
Neonridr  +   197d ago
That's to be expected, With a screen that displays stuff, that is very much in line if I was to say game on my ipod touch. It would need charging in 3-5 hours if I played non stop too. Plus you figure it acts as a wireless controller too, which eats up the battery life.

I don't think it will be a problem for everyone because I am sure some people will play with the gamepad plugged in all the time, and others won't be gaming for over 5 hours at a time. I know as a new father (3 month old Son), I won't be putting in the time I used to with my video games. Maybe on the odd occation I will put in a marathon session, but I'll be lucky if I get to play for more than 2 hours. ;)
ABizzel1  +   197d ago
It may be expect, but it still sucks.

As you said most gamers will play with it plugged in, but it's just annoying when things like this happen. Is it not possible for gaming devices to reach 7+ hour battery life anymore. My tablet and my Cell Phone do, so please allow my handheld / controller to.
Amazingmrbrock  +   197d ago
With the size of it they should have been able to stick any size battery into it that they wanted. They probably went with something relatively small and cheap though.
Nick_515  +   197d ago
@Amazingmrbrock
Exactly. With the size of the controller, they could have easily put a bigger battery in it. I mean, the controller isn't really doing much. Devices that are less than half the size and do more get better battery life. Nintendo just went cheap in the battery, which is very disappointing.
zgoldenlionz  +   197d ago
True but a tablet or phone does all the computing too so I expected a bit more battery life, that doesn't mean I won't be getting a wii u or anything like that just a little disappointed.

BTW grats on the new baby!
#2.2 (Edited 197d ago ) | Agree(8) | Disagree(0) | Report | Reply
Moonman  +   197d ago
The pro controller has 80+ hours life..so you won't have to stop "playing" wireless while it recharges in general.
deafdani  +   196d ago
The Pro controller also has a reportedly VERY weak rumble, which is probably one of the reasons why it's got such a long battery life.

For some people it may not be a big deal, but for me? i'll pass on it, sadly. I love me some rumble. :(
1upgamer99  +   197d ago
This is no surprise, I mean really. You can still pug it in,and play. I am sure you can charge while playing.... what do you expect from a basic tablet...when I say basic tablet I mean the console must be on. The Controller is AMAZING if you have not held it in your hands....It feels natural. I think Nintendo May miss the mark this time with the casual gamers this time they want to prove Nintendo is the LEADER as far as games are concerned! Of coarse Sony and Microsoft will FOLLOW...and please they will, but can you plug your Vita in and Play??
Cupid_Viper_3  +   197d ago
" I think Nintendo May miss the mark this time with the casual gamers this time they want to prove Nintendo is the LEADER as far as games are concerned! Of coarse Sony and Microsoft will FOLLOW...and please they will, but can you plug your Vita in and Play??"

I'm afraid I don't get it...

@ GribbleGrunger
The charging cord for the vita is about 10ft in length and of course you can play while it's plugged in, that's been the case since the original PSP.
#3.1 (Edited 197d ago ) | Agree(6) | Disagree(3) | Report | Reply
GribbleGrunger  +   197d ago
I think he's referring to the Vita/PS3 combo. The cable is very short for the Vita though.
GribbleGrunger  +   197d ago
Cupid_Viper_3, I know you can play whilst it's plugged in but I was thinking more terms of it plugging into the USB port of your PS3. That would cut the length down somewhat. I'm assuming you CAN change it that way... never tried it. It's not ten feet though. It's 7 feet; 3'6" for the USB cable.
#3.1.2 (Edited 197d ago ) | Agree(2) | Disagree(2) | Report
ronin4life  +   197d ago
Like others have said, this is acceptable. Its not like you'll be taking it anywhere outside your house.
Oh_Yeah  +   197d ago
How light is this thing?
Neonridr  +   197d ago
weighs 1 pound. As a reference, an iPad weighs about 1.5 pounds.

EDIT - really? why am I getting disagrees for saying how heavy the controller is and using a reference for comparison?
#5.1 (Edited 197d ago ) | Agree(11) | Disagree(11) | Report | Reply
deafdani  +   196d ago
Because people are mean and idiotic like that. Every time I see someone getting disagrees just for stating a fact, my heart sinks.

Well, at least I gave you an agree. <3
Gridloc  +   197d ago | Funny
Wireless controller you have to keep plugged in. Innovation at its finest.
Lovable  +   197d ago
LOL
WrAiTh Sp3cTr3  +   197d ago
Lol, hater alert.
SonyNGP  +   197d ago
You wanna know a better innovation? N4G's bubble system.

*pop*
Slugg3r  +   197d ago
Says guy with two bubbles.
wenaldy  +   197d ago
Im one man bubble and im gonna pop your "bubble" too

*pop*
GraveLord  +   197d ago
Horrible battery life. If they had included a lithium ion batter and let it charge through USB it would have been fine, but you need to plug it in to a wall socket. Eww.
DigitalRaptor  +   197d ago
It is.

I hope this thing has a brightness setting. You'd be wise to keep it on low.
TemplarDante  +   197d ago
wow.. 3-5hrs..
Is this a range dependent figure?
Was expecting double that
Ck1x  +   197d ago
Not to mention, im sure that Nyko or one of the other 3rd party accessory makers will soon have an extended battery pack out for the GamePad.
kma2k  +   197d ago
yea but at what weight increase?
bangshi  +   197d ago
Seems like a lengthy charge time compared to its usage time.

Acceptable usage time though.
kagon01  +   197d ago
Until Nintendo release the console with only the pro pad not this abomination of a so called controller, otherwise I will stay away from it...
deafdani  +   196d ago
Lol @ you. The GamePad is the whole point of the Wii U, so you will never own one, apparently.

Well, we don't need more closed minded people like you, anyways. Bye.
TemplarDante  +   197d ago
Plug it into the wall socket.
Bring back memories of me and my Gameboy when I ran out of battery life!
1990 Gameboy
2012 Wii U
It must be a part of the Nintendo nostalgia.
:)
josephayal  +   197d ago
Low
DAMN 3-5hrs and 2.5 Hrs to recharge???? I can't imagine trying to sit and play for 10 hours in this condition
Nutsack   197d ago | Trolling | show | Replies(1)
Kte  +   197d ago
I can understand. This basicly lets you know how powerful the controller is, IF it's really wireless.
lashes2ashes  +   197d ago
Powerful? It's not even multi touch lol. I'm still getting mine but I'm pretty disappointed with this, my ipad2 is two years old has a shit battery and still gets better gameplay per charge.
Moonman  +   197d ago
Too bad I don't like many iPad games one bit.
stragomccloud  +   196d ago
You don't need multitouch if you have buttons.
Kte  +   196d ago
what stragomccloud said is true, no point having the touch if you have buttons to back it up lol and again the controller being powerful, would be the wireless that I'm hoping comes with it. The fact that you can transfer a game from the TV to the controller is the best this thing has to offer, but if it's wireless, then sony got shitted on period
Tiqila  +   197d ago
most tablets last for about 10h wifi connected... wtf? its not as if the gamepad would do hard graphical computations, its streaming ffs, this is a disappointment
JonnyBigBoss  +   197d ago
This is OLD!
Fishy Fingers  +   197d ago
Quite a lot less than a tablet, which is usually powering far more interal components. Wouldn't surprise me if they have a 'cheap' battery to keep prices down once they sell the pads separately.
Nodoze  +   197d ago
VERY disappointing!
jjb1981  +   197d ago
Get two to rotate while ones charging
kma2k  +   197d ago
currently Nintendo has said they arent going to sell the controller seperate because all controllers are going into new systems. There is no release date of extra controllers at this time
jjb1981  +   197d ago
Boooooo
rezzah  +   197d ago
The screen controllers are going to be expensive.

The other ones that look like 360 controllers will be at a cheaper price. Or well maybe at the 60 price range.
chrisarsenalsavart  +   197d ago
That s a joke, right?

I can see Nintendo have found a cunning way to sell their pro controller.

I mean , who wants to play todays games with a revolutionary controler that needs 2.5 hours to recharge. Are we back in the 90s.

I will still get one but i find that pretty shocking though.
#21 (Edited 197d ago ) | Agree(6) | Disagree(1) | Report | Reply
TemplarDante  +   197d ago
and all it does is stream info!
No gpu,cpu, none of that..
What kind of battery is in this thing?!?
leogets  +   197d ago
Dont get a wiiu is the answer. Simple.it must use a watch battery from donkey kong 80s handheld
#23 (Edited 197d ago ) | Agree(8) | Disagree(7) | Report | Reply
baldulf  +   197d ago
3-5 hours only? For real?
ALLWRONG  +   196d ago
Not bad for a controller that has a "screen" plus rumble.
Npugz7  +   197d ago
Brutal!
millzy102  +   197d ago
has no one considered the fact that it streams video at 60 fps with only 1/60th of latancy. this wireless transmitter is probably the fastest on market which would take up a lot of power considering 3g and WiFi on phones eat up battery life aswel as screen power plus button power plus NFC transmitter power plus Mic plus sterio speakers plus motion plus ir sensor. all this tech has got to eat power but I bet the wireless transmitter is the big drain on power I mean that thing transmits data lightning fast, faster than anything else I've seen.
Getowned  +   197d ago
yeah but for a gaming device you have to admit, that kinda sucks. Pretty much this thing need to be charged after/during every gaming session. I would rather pay more money for better battery power than have to charge my controler all the time.

I hope the ps4 and X720 don't go the touch screen route and just keep the standard game controlers.
yavorsv  +   197d ago
Yes. I hope they don't copy Nintendo this time. :D
AJBACK2FRAG  +   197d ago
yavorsy,
You dream.
Hicken  +   196d ago
I get better battery life out of my Vita, which is doing ALL the processing for its games. And there's no comparing the screens on the two. The 3DS, PSP, and DS also all have far longer battery lives, and comparable- if not shorter- charge times.

So really, what's the excuse again?
Getowned  +   197d ago
Well that is vary disappointing, I was expecting A LOT more.
eagle21  +   197d ago
Why is around 4 hours so bad? I just can't make myself complain... :)

And it comes with a charger for the controller AND a cradle for the controller.
#28 (Edited 197d ago ) | Agree(5) | Disagree(5) | Report | Reply
Slugg3r  +   197d ago
So you're implying it isn't bad that you're gonna have to play with wired controller 2.5 hours for every 6.5 hours you play? And I though my DS3 ran out of batteries all the time and it atleast has 20 hours of battery life. This 4 hours battery life pretty much means that you're gonna have to charge it after every time you play if you want to prevent it from running out of the juice on yuor next session.
PopRocks359  +   197d ago
I guess then it's great I don't have to have it plugged into the console with a cable that's clearly far too small like the PS3.

I can't believe you didn't expect the battery life to be this short when the controller projects HD game content on the screen.
Slugg3r  +   197d ago
@PopRocks359
I would have expected the battery life to be atleast double since the controller only streams the image and doesn't do much more itself. The screen does take a lot off of the battery life I give you that but as previous comments have stated, taking in account the fairly large size of the controller, it seems that there would have been room for larger battery.

Well I guess that in the end people will get used to plugging controller in the charger after every gaming session, just like we have gotton used to charging our phones every day.
Getowned  +   197d ago
"I can't believe you didn't expect the battery life to be this short when the controller projects HD game content on the screen. "

no offence but sorry thats a load of bull, why couldn't they just put in a bigger battery ? seriously. I know your excited for the WII U and I don't mean to bring you down but thats a huge flaw, who wants to play with cord in your way all the time anymore.

"I guess then it's great I don't have to have it plugged into the console with a cable that's clearly far too small like the PS3. "

Yeah, but! the PS3 controller last 10x longer, and its far more cheaper to afford to buy other ps3 controller, where as the Wii U game pad is far more expensive and wont be avalible for purchase right away.
#28.1.3 (Edited 197d ago ) | Agree(3) | Disagree(2) | Report
PopRocks359  +   197d ago
@Getowned

Explain to me which device that doesn't cost nearly a fortune runs on exceptional battery life for that kind of game content?

The 3DS and the Vita have similar battery life. Those devices are meant to be taken on the go where charging them would be far more challenging. I have spare ports on every wall in my room. Charging the controller will hardly be an issue for me.

The PS3 controller does BUTTON inputs. In this day and age that's hardly taxing as far as electrical engineering goes. The Pro controller for the Wii U lasts an approximate 80 hours on a single charge.

"who wants to play with cord in your way all the time anymore."

Anyone on here who has ever complained about the Wii U gamepad and praised the corded Gamecube controller.
optimus  +   197d ago
Looks to me like nintendo is taking a page from apple and end up releasing a slew of accessories to compensate for this charging fiasco. By christmas we'll see charging bundles i'm sure, consisting of "super chargers" extension cords and alike....(and yes, i'm well aware that nintendo has been milking accessories since the 1st gameboy, so u might say apple took a page from them; but now nintendo is looking to get their milking throne back.)
#29 (Edited 197d ago ) | Agree(2) | Disagree(2) | Report | Reply
OmniSlashPT  +   197d ago
So no Online gaming or RPG's...but no one would use this controller to play online games or RPG's lmao
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