The Wii U GamePad is not a gimmick, you're just overthinking it

Dealspwn writes: "Are developers overlooking the obvious?"

[Metallox]

I love this article. This guy talks about what I always comment here: the Wii U Gamepad just makes things easier, but everybody says it's too hard to move the neck many times, looking both screens, but I'd say that's not fair.

Talking about Assassin's Creed III: ",,,but much is forgiven when I can summon Connor's horse just by tapping the screen, not by scrolling through the menu to find the whistle and then equipping it and then blowing it." Absolutely, it's very handy and while for many people should sound very obvious and nothing innovative, it just make things easier.

Maybe the Wii U Gamepad it's not necessary, I could agree with that, because it rises the price of the console and in reality it's not a game changer, but for what it is, the Gamepad simplifies and has many functions, it's far from me to become a "gimmick".

[randomass171]

I will admit, adjusting from one screen to another when playing Mario Kart 8 is not as easy as it is in Mario Kart 7. My eyes need to take a moment to readjust and that's a precious instant I need to focus on the gameplay. Beyond all that, the gamepad has been nothing if not convenient for me. I would not say it is perfect or the big controller milestone that the Wii remote was, but I still like it a lot for what it does.

[Metallox]

It may not work that well with racing or fighting games (because you need to focus on gameplay all the time, especially on Mario Kart due to blue shells :p) but it definitely gives me a favor in action adventure games like the Batman Arkham games and the Assassin's Creed games on Wii U. Unfortunately for thos games their control development is not tnat well made, not sure why. You can't zoom or control the map in Assassin's Creed games with the touchscreen, and item selection in Batman AC makes things worse, rather than just simplify things. It's a good thing that they changed all those issues in Origins thoufh.

But for example, I can't imagine Pikmin 3 or TW101 without the Gamepad and many people say Zombi U makes a good use of the controller as well. So, it's just depends in the kind of games.

My apologies for the grammar, I'm not that good writing long scripts :b

[Blues Cowboy]

Agreed, and I reckon that it's up to developers to make sure that any map/icon on the GamePad is clear and uncluttered enough to make sense of just with a quick glance. It's definitely possible to do - I find the MK8 map really useful on the last lap for example, even if it's just a quick peek to get a general idea about how spaced out the pack is.

[3-4-5]

Why are you guys even looking at the controller? I don't get it.

Do you watch the PS4 or XB1 controller while you play too ?

Keep your eyes on the screen and fast glance down at it if need be.

[feraldrgn]

Make it so that it doesn't require you to look at it while playing, just a tap, or swipe etc' depending on what you want to do.
The screen should only be focused on for moments when the game's paused,
ie; looking at a map or menu, or off-screen play, rather than anything frequent which 'could' irritate the eyes or neck.

[-Foxtrot]

All I know is that I don't want them to keep this in their next console. They need to go back to a controller and since they are bringing Gamecube styled controllers out for Smash Bros U I think they know what design the next controller should have.

It's the one thing in the Wii U which is keeping the price up. I would like to see their next console have more power performance/spec wise then a second screen...something I already get from my 3DS.

[Metallox]

Nintendo should really consider launching a bundle without the Gamepad. Sorry guys, but there are many people that want the console and not the Gamepad. Like Foxtrot says, it rises the price of the Wii U, and if it was priced at 200 dollars, he would have already one.

Like Mr. Krabs would never say, the client is always right, and there are actually many people that want to buy a Wii U... but the price. After all, not all the games even announced at E3 this year seem to require the controller, except for Mario Maker.

[-Foxtrot]

If they had just released a Gamecube styled pro controller from the begining they could of done optional bundles. One would be at a lower price with the controller and the higher price one would have the Gamepad.

It's all about choice at the end of the day. To me the Gamepad is an accessory which should be optional.

It's a Marmite controller, the people who love it are the lucky ones where it feels comfortable enough in their hands because it fits, others like myself it doesn't really feel right, maybe my hands are too big/small who knows but sometimes in the games I've recently played I get hand cramp.

"he would have already one"

I do have one, I got one when Mario Kart 8 came out. I got it cheaper with my ASDA discount card and the online store giving another discount of it's own.

Anyway I should be given the choice as a consumer if I want to keep looking down at my Gamepad. I've been playing some games lately with the Pro Controller.

I really think Nintendo need to stick to one controller now and improve on it with each new gen like Sony/Microsoft have done. They had a perfect one with the Gamecube controller.

[Alinea]

without the gamepad? do you realize how much the wii u needs the gamepad in order to work? do you realize theres games out there that NEED the game pad to work? the gamepad is nothing like the kinnect that can workout fine without it, it would be more of a screwover to release it withoutbit, the gamepad is essential to the wii U the console isnt complete at all if its missing the gamepad.

[Berezau]

@Alinea

I couldn't agree more. People who don't own a Wii U don't understand how essential the gamepad is.

[WeAreLegion]

I like the gamepad. It's comfortable. It is also convenient. I can play Mario Kart or Yoshi's Island on my Wii U while I switch to the PS3/PS4 and watch Netflix on there. I like doing many things at once. :)

However, I wish developers would stop making us look at the gamepad for certain things. :/ I don't want to play half the game on the gamepad.

[DeusEx-Machina]

Admittedly, I was unconsciously trying to grab for the stilus last time I used the classic controller pro while fiddling with a game menu, lol

[Wni0]

Zombie U had an awesome integration

[Menkyo]

Yes it is just like motion control. There all gimmicks plain and simple.

[2EHO]

I have felt this way and have been saying this since the Wii U was announced. Gamepad has standard controller buttons. This is not a Wiimote situation. You can give off-tv gameplay and when playing with the TV map and inventory on the gamepad screen... pretty simple.