E311 | Wii U Controller Won't be Sold Separately

By Jorge Ba-oh 08.06.2011 26

E311 | Wii U Controller Won

Word from the E3 show floor suggest that Wii U and it's tablet controller will come as one - extra controllers = Wii Remotes.

The new home platform from Nintendo, Wii U, was announced yesterday, boasting a 6-inch tablet-esque controller for use in tandem with the new hardware, but also alongside Wii Remotes as a "new window".

Despite the push towards the new controller, Wii Remotes will continue to be part of the multiplayer strategy for Nintendo.

There'll only be one Wii U controller per console, and that's now backed up by reports that players will not be able to purchase separate controllers.

Image for E311 | Wii U Controller Won


You'll have to be a loner or take it in turns to use the new tablet, with others using Wii Remotes/Classic Controllers. Tablet for one, please!

Nintendo have yet to confirm everything about the Wii U, so a secondary regular controller could be on the cards.

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Well this actually just killed a chunk of excitement for me... Surely having a screen each would be great for multiplayer, GC Four Swords style? Makes no sense.
Also Wiimotes just aren't enough for some games, and some people prefer conventional control. We're gonna have to rely on Classic controllers a lot now GameCube controller support is removed. Actually I'm really hoping for a Classic Controller modelled after the GC Controller, especially with Smash Bros on the way.

( Edited 08.06.2011 11:27 by Ikana )

Katsuya Eguchi, who is working on a five-player Wii U prototype here, doesn't make it sound like that'll be a requirement. In fact, it may not even happen at all.

"We're considering our options with maybe two screens," Eguchi told Kotaku, who said he considers multiple New Controller games to be "an interesting idea." That would mean games that used two new Wii U controllers. Eguchi's five-player prototype, here at E3, has one person using a new controller and four other people using Wii Remote-Nunchuck combos.

While Eguchi didn't explain why Nintendo isn't looking into four-new-controller gaming, it's possible that the Wii U couldn't output to four screens at once (plus a TV). It's also simply possible that Nintendo would find that configuration too pricey for its customers. Nintendo hasn't said what the new controller will cost. But Eguchi answered my question about whether gamers should be concerned about the controller's price by saying that "I do understand that if the price is too high that would be an obstacle."


So what they're saying is they're only thinking about games that utilise two Wii U controllers. At the moment, they're kind of relying on one Wii U pad, and the others with Wii remotes/nunchuks.

It's entirely possible that it'd be hard for the system to stream content to say 4 pads at once. The fact Eguchi says they're looking into using more than one pad suggests they can stream to more than pad, but it might be difficult. Maybe if they reduced graphics being streamed to the pads, or somehow made them output nothing, they could still be used as controllers, but then there'd be not much point in paying over the odds for those things.

Add in the images of how multiplayer works on Wii U:
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3_2011/02/playstyle/img/04.jpg
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3_2011/02/playstyle/img/06.jpg

And it's clear how multiplayer on Wii U is intended.

So am I going to have to buy Wii Motion Plus remotes now too? It's a good job I haven't sold my Wii and nunchuks yet but will my normal Wii remotes be useless?

On one hand, it's good that we can still use the Wii remote and nunchuk setup, because it's a good controller in itself. But I need to know if new Wii U games are being made with Motion Plus remotes in mind. Will the price of remotes drop by the time Wii U comes out?

Also - I want to play Smash 4 using a GameCube controller! Please let me, Nintendo. We need official confirmation on if GC games will work on Wii U.

Edit: So that's definite, Ikana? Fucking hell. I have like 4 official GC controllers because when I get my mates round for Mario Kart Wii, we all use them! I don't want to have to buy another 4 classic controllers modelled off of the GC pad now too! wtf is this?

But yes, this also kills off any hope for some awesome Four Swords or Crystal Chronicles multiplayer action. Sort it out, Nintendo.

( Edited 08.06.2011 11:33 by Azuardo )

Azuardo said:

So am I going to have to buy Wii Motion Plus remotes now too? It's a good job I haven't sold my Wii and nunchuks yet but will my normal Wii remotes be useless?

I have like 4 official GC controllers because when I get my mates round for Mario Kart Wii, we all use them! I don't want to have to buy another 4 classic controllers modelled off of the GC pad now too! wtf is this?

You could just buy the MotionPlus addons (if the game even requires MotionPlus).

For ever other system Nintendo has introduced, you've always had to buy new controllers. It's simply been part of the new system upgrade. At least this time you won't have to if you don't want to.

Why don't you just use the Wii Remote + Nunchuk combo. It's basically the same thing as a GCN controller (joystick control), just a slightly different arrangement of buttons.

( Edited 08.06.2011 12:22 by Sonic_13 )

Hopefully it won't be too necessary to get Motion Plus, but I imagine they would use it a lot in upcoming Wii U games, what with Kinect and Move doing well now.

Fair point that new consoles bear new controllers. I'm just so used to playing Smash with my GC pad. I have my classic controller pro too of course. It'll just take some getting used to.

Edit: I need to get Motion Plus for Skyward anyway. Nowadays though, it's more about the online experience, and will probably be my personal focus too. If I can play against my buddies at F-Zero and Smash, I'll be happy. But yes, there are still concerns about multiplayer at home, and for sure the control setups available.

If you can still play Zelda HD using your Wii remote/nunchuk setup, then the Wii U controller screen features become gimmicks. The only thing changed using Wii remote would be you just have to press a button to bring up the menu/map.



( Edited 08.06.2011 12:37 by Azuardo )

I hope games only use motion plus. THe wii remote is shit on its own. Its a pointless controller that doesnt work at all. I dont know how this is all going to work. Only one wii u controller for single player but wii remotes for coop. What if I want to play the wii u zelda using the skyward sword setup? can I? Same for metroid. AAARGH to many unanswered questions.

Disappointing - Why no GC pad support. That would be awesome. In my book the GC pad is the best pad ever made..

I'm sure its not hard to include GC pads as an option.. Reggie.. you said you wanted to provide value (whilst not mentioning the cost) - so here is your chance to stop talking thrash and deliver for once

Wii Code: 6399-3866-6269-0745
PSN: SherWiinator Currently playing: LOZ: SS
Wishlist: Last Story, Pandora's tower, Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3

Wii HD: 5 years too late.

As much as I love my GC controller, it's obvious that they can't keep supporting old hardware forever, especially one that isn't wireless.

The Classic Controller Pro is actually a really comfortable alternative to the GC controller. I should know because I've played Monster Hunter Tri for almost 500 hours with it now.

this makes sence to me, only need one controler for single player games anyway, i expect those pads to be expensive so being able to use controllers i already own makes it all the better.

But speaking of, i really wanna know about gamecube support, both controlers and games. Or if the system will upscale excisting games to 1080p like a certain PC emulator shows possible.

welshwuff said:

But speaking of, i really wanna know about gamecube support, both controlers and games. Or if the system will upscale excisting games to 1080p like a certain PC emulator shows possible.

It's already been confirmed that there won't be any Gamecube support (still a chance for GC titles on the VC though) and that it won't upscale Wii games.

Here's the link for the no GC support. Reggie has confirmed in the interview with Gametrailers that it won't upscale Wii games.

This is all just pure speculation but there might be USB adapters to make GC controllers work on the Wii U for playing Wii games with it anyway. It would work as the Wii U has 4 USB slots.

( Edited 08.06.2011 14:19 by SirLink )

why wont they upscale wii games like the dolphin emulator. Getting rid of those jaggies makes galaxy look so beautiful

meeto_0 said:
why wont they upscale wii games like the dolphin emulator. Getting rid of those jaggies makes galaxy look so beautiful
Hopefully, if enough people hassle them.. they might actually do it.

I very much doubt it, but hey... I'd love for them to make it upscale Wii games.

Any hopes of Crystal Chronicles coming back in all its original glory are starting to fade Smilie That game was so ahead of its time.

Even if the console can only stream video to one tablet what happens if you break it or lose it? You gotta go buy a new Wii U? (still not used to that name, why not have just one word instead of an extra syllable and letter)

Add me on anything. I'm always looking for new friends/opponents/town visitors/chances to appear more popular than I actually am.

Lynk said:
Any hopes of Crystal Chronicles coming back in all its original glory are starting to fade Smilie That game was so ahead of its time.

Even if the console can only stream video to one tablet what happens if you break it or lose it? You gotta go buy a new Wii U? (still not used to that name, why not have just one word instead of an extra syllable and letter)


I wouldn't disregard that just yet. This was just a prototype, maybe some time in the near future they'll announce that it can have up to 2 or 4 Wii U tablets connected to one system. Depends how easy/possible it is to do such a thing.

Oh, and for the record, I'm deciding to just call it the "U" or "WU" when talking about it to others.

Didn't they mention playing Madden and everyone having their own screen? You can't do that if only one person gets that screen.

It shouldn't matter if the controller is expensive as hell. If people want to buy it, they'll buy it. THat shouldn't be Nintendo's decision to make.

NNID: crackedthesky
My blog, mostly about writing: http://www.davidjlovato.com

Nintendo have time to change their minds about this. Its an awful and needless restriction. Even if controllers are $100 a piece, at least other friends with Wiius* could play together.

Also Gamecube pad support through a USB adapter would be wonderful. Nintendo, make it happen.

*"Wiius" looks very stupid.

( Edited 08.06.2011 23:06 by TAG )

TAG: That American Guy

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18

I hope any WiiU game not using the tablet uses MotionPlus. The original WiiRemote tech is not acceptable for another 5 years. Smilie

Hmm, I suppose it doesn't rule out taking your controller to a mate's house, but boy does that suck.

I also hope they'll make multiple Utrollers possible. Even if they're very expensive, at least you can bring your own over to a friend.

Hopefully they'll also change their mind about upscaling Wii games. It would make the launch so much stronger.

About the name... When Reggie was talking about 'you', I was pretty sure it was going to be the "Yuu". Almost.

And please forget about the Cubetroller. It's 10 years old! Yes, it was a great controller, but you can't expect Nintendo to keep supporting it forever, especially with several very good alternatives.

Ifrit XXII said:
I hope any WiiU game not using the tablet uses MotionPlus. The original WiiRemote tech is not acceptable for another 5 years. Smilie

It's already been confirmed that Wii remotes without motion plus will not work. So you need to buy motion plus for your old controllers or buy the new remotes with them built in.

Also I hope this info about it supporting one controller only is not true. The multiplayer aspects of the Wii U are what's making me hyped about it.

Greetings

This is a disaster, a complete f'up from Nintendo.

Very disappointed!

Well, we're still a year away so that will definitely change. What happens if a bowling ball falls on top of the WiiPad? No more Wii U? There HAS to be the option of buying a replacement at the store and not only from Nintendo.

Also, EA wouldn't let them do that since two player Madden with each player choosing their plays on their own controller would sell more copies since not everyone is into online only Mp.

( Edited 08.06.2011 21:00 by EdEN )

L said:It's already been confirmed that Wii remotes without motion plus will not work. So you need to buy motion plus for your old controllers or buy the new remotes with them built in.

Where has that been confirmed? While I don't doubt that most, if not all, new Wii U games will utilize MotionPlus I don't see where it's been stated that it's absolutely required.

I can imagine that games for the U can be made that certainly won't need any use of Motion Plus. After all, normal Wiimotes work perfectly for certain games, not needing Motion Plus at all. So it does strike me as a little odd that they would not make normal Wiimotes compatible. How many millions of Wiis have they sold? How many have Motion Plus? Guaranteed it's nowhere near as many. But they will have to explicitly state on the boxes if a game needs motion plus or not.

Canyarion said:
And please forget about the Cubetroller. It's 10 years old! Yes, it was a great controller, but you can't expect Nintendo to keep supporting it forever, especially with several very good alternatives.


It hasn't stopped Sony, and their's kind of sucks.

TAG: That American Guy

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18

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