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Wii U - The Unanswered Questions

The Controller

by James Charlton - June 18, 2011, 1:56 am EDT

11. Will the controller-only games be a big part of the system?
We saw people playing Othello using the controller like an iPad with the TV assumedly turned off, will these games be an important feature? Will some be included as part of the system? If these are tiny throwaway games, will they be a separate section of the online store (eShop?) and sold for less than a few dollars? These small games could appeal to a wide range of people and I think they do have potential, I mean it would be cool to have a system that plays Batman Arkham City and Angry Birds at different times by completely different members of a family.

12. Will all games be able to be played on just the controller screen?
We saw the Dad kick his son off the TV so he could watch baseball and Super Mario Bros. Mii was effortlessly switched to the controller screen in an instant. One of my most anticipated features, amazing. However this raises the question, will all games do this? What about games that rely on the controller interface, how will they function if the controller screen is now displaying the game? Will functions be limited? What difficulties will this pose to developers? Will they have to design, in essence, two ways of control and two ways of displaying the game? I am very excited about this feature of Wii U, but if only Nintendo implement it for their first party games, then that is less exciting to me.

13. What else is the controller hiding?
NWR staff noticed the infrared receiver on the top of the controller was very similar to that on the 3DS. These receivers are usually used for transferring small amounts of data between devices, how will this be used on the controller? Does it have some internal memory like the Wii Remote had? If so, how much? What would you store on it? This could possibly be player data or Mii's (again), or something bigger and more exciting. Anything too large and it would make the controller even more expensive though. Underneath the controller there was also a connector port, strangely not the one that we connect Nunchucks to on our Wii Remotes, but something else. Staff members who examined the controller up close have said it looks like it could be used for charging the controller but also for sending data to or from the controller. Does this mean the controller can be docked and used as some kind of mini display for Wii U or even original Wii games? It has a sensor bar strip, so it's possible, which leads nicely onto the next question.

Are custom player data storage and a 3DS style dock in the works?

14. What is the sensor strip for on the new controller?
In the press images of the system the TV is clearly shown with a standard-looking Wii sensor bar above it, does this mean the new controller requires it, or is this just for Wii Remote compatibility? Personally, I was hoping to finally get rid of my dust-collecting sensor bar, but it seems to be coming back. Is this a new, wireless sensor bar? Can I turn it off or unplug it if I'm just using the new Wii U controller? Will the sensor strip allow me to stand my Wii U controller up on my coffee table and use that for a sensor bar for my original Wii games, or is that just for the new Wii U titles, like the golf game shown at the conference? Other than golf, what other gaming uses could putting the Wii U controller flat on the floor have? Having a sensor bar on the controller must be a purposeful decision with many applications, but only one was shown. Is there something potentially huge I'm missing here?

15. WIll I have to use the Wii U tablet controller for all single-player games?
I personally like the new controller, and from what I've heard my fellow staff members say, it sounds light and comfortable to hold, however I know that a lot of people would be put off playing certain games for long periods of time with such a large controller. What I'd hope is that Nintendo would allow the Classic Controller Pro be used for certain games in single player, maybe even Nunchuck and Wii Remote too. It looks like Wii add-ons like the Nunchuck and Classic Controller Pro cannot be plugged into the Wii U tablet controller, but I hope they change that. 

An even more ideal situation would be if Nintendo released a wireless Classic Controller Pro U, with rumble and motion sensors, basically a stripped down Wii U controller, for use with the new system. I've seen some pictures of the Wii U controller standing up on it's own, I think doing that while you play with the new Classic Controller Pro U would be a nice alternative way to play certain games. A traditional control setup, with the new Wii U controller display in front of you to glance at and occasionally interact with, giving you the best of both worlds. I'd imagine this would be great for online FPS games, viewing stats and alternative viewpoints on the Wii U display but playing with a regular controller.

The Wii had many control options for FPS's, let's hope the Wii U does to.

16. Will Nintendo force use of Wii Remote Plus for Wii U games?
When we finally got Wii Motion Plus and then Remote Plus, games started controlling how we initially thought all Wii games would control from the beginning. I was a happy guy. To go back and start the new system off with games that allow the same old dodgy controls would be very strange, yet I can see Nintendo doing it. It's a tough one to call, as 86 million people have standard Wii Remotes going forward, but how many Wii Remote Plus and Motion Plus dongles are out there? Not as many. Will they allow original Wii Remotes to be used for all Wii U multiplayer games, if so, will that affect gameplay to a fault? Would Wii Sports 3 really go back to jittery controls after the perfection of Wii Sports Resort? I really hope not. 

I hope the standard for Wii U is Wii Remote Plus and to maybe just allow simple NES control style games to use the old Wii Remote. That also begs the question, will they re-brand the Remotes as Wii U Remotes or just leave them as they are? If so would the Wii U Remote just be a Wii Remote Plus with a new logo or new technology again? I hope they don't do the latter and fragment the market yet again like they did with MotionPlus. Imagine the back of Wii U boxes, the controller compatibility list is going to be so confusing!

What are the questions you most want answers to? Be sure to leave them in the talkback thread below!

Awesome screen versus responsive gyro versus jittery gyro, hardly fair!

Images

Talkback

BlackNMild2k1June 18, 2011

17. Will we be able to use multiple WiiU controllers at the same time on the same system for Local Multiplayer?
For example, will we be able to play some 4 local player Timesplitter 4 with everyone seeing their own view from their controller?

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)June 18, 2011

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

17. Will we be able to use multiple WiiU controllers at the same time on the same system for Local Multiplayer?
For example, will we be able to play some 4 local player Timesplitter 4 with everyone seeing their own view from their controller?

That's a good question and one we all hope will be possible!
If it isn't though, I'd settle for 2 player, they gotta have that - otherwise it'd be a single player only experience when it came to hardcore Wii U games that use the new controller extensively.

StrawHousePigJune 18, 2011

I've always find statements like "proper online" to be fairly meaningless. If you mean a common user system that is authenticated online then that's something I can understand and can get behind.




FYI, not everyone is comfortable using Facebook. Some people find their practices negligent and self serving at best, appalling at worst. Some people have never understood why a company or website would go to such great pains to drive their users away to someone else. Some people were very disappointed when Facebook was integrated into the DSi and extremely pleased when it wasn't in the 3DS. *raises hand*


Let's keep it that way.

jimwood27June 18, 2011

sweet, sweet Lord, can we please stop using the term 'hardcore'?  it is completely meaningless and provides very little insight into gamers because everyone wants very different things.

BlackNMild2k1June 18, 2011

Quote from: famicomplicated

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

17. Will we be able to use multiple WiiU controllers at the same time on the same system for Local Multiplayer?
For example, will we be able to play some 4 local player Timesplitter 4 with everyone seeing their own view from their controller?

That's a good question and one we all hope will be possible!
If it isn't though, I'd settle for 2 player, they gotta have that - otherwise it'd be a single player only experience when it came to hardcore Wii U games that use the new controller extensively.

I agree, 2 is the minimum support that they should aim for if cost and performance on the actual console is the issue. If all the extra cost is in the controller, then there better be 4 uMote support.

TJ SpykeJune 18, 2011

The disc only versions of Guitar Hero (and I think Rock Band) were $60, but I will admit that those were exceptions.

GoldmundJune 18, 2011

Quote from: jimwood27

sweet, sweet Lord, can we please stop using the term 'hardcore'?  it is completely meaningless and provides very little insight into gamers because everyone wants very different things.

It's not meaningless if used critically. One of the term's most interesting definitions is »an intractable core or nucleus of a society, especially one that is stubbornly resistant to improvement or change«. Lovers of other forms of creative expression almost never use the term to describe themselves (»I'm a hardcore reader!«) for a good reason.

The fear that depth is somehow relinquished in favor of a wider appeal shows little historical appreciation.

Depth is always something late, something decadent after prosperous and all-encompassing times. The games that come after Facebook and iOS have long leveled expectations will be grand. The law of motion in creative expression is the negation of what came before through the awareness that it's very much a product of what's been left behind and all of its traits.

second definition at thefreedictionary.com, the first one being more positive

EnnerJune 18, 2011

Quote from: jimwood27

sweet, sweet Lord, can we please stop using the term 'hardcore'?  it is completely meaningless and provides very little insight into gamers because everyone wants very different things.

You could use it in a simple sense in that it means a person who is dedicated to video games in general as a hobby. Once you understand that, you also see that some gamers are hardcore in only one type of game.

I will cop to the following: I saw that mockup of Super Mario World redone in hi-def and punched something.

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)June 18, 2011

Quote from: jimwood27

sweet, sweet Lord, can we please stop using the term 'hardcore'?  it is completely meaningless and provides very little insight into gamers because everyone wants very different things.

Nintendo often use the word "core gamer" which is just an abbreviation of what they really mean!  ;)
I guess you could use "person who likes games that require more than pulling back on colourful fowl sitting on an catapult" :P:
What do you suggest?

Quote from: Shaymin

I will cop to the following: I saw that mockup of Super Mario World redone in hi-def and punched something.

You mean like "the air" or "the wall" or "random stranger"?

Quote from: StrawHousePig

I've always find statements like "proper online" to be fairly meaningless. If you mean a common user system that is authenticated online then that's something I can understand and can get behind.

FYI, not everyone is comfortable using Facebook. Some people find their practices negligent and self serving at best, appalling at worst. Some people have never understood why a company or website would go to such great pains to drive their users away to someone else. Some people were very disappointed when Facebook was integrated into the DSi and extremely pleased when it wasn't in the 3DS. *raises hand*


Let's keep it that way.

I don't think anyone would agree the Wii did many things "properly" when it came to online. All decent online games (M.Kart Wii being my fave) were marred with the tedious friend code inputting.


As for your 2nd point, I can see where you are coming from there, not a huge fan of Facebook myself, (I cancelled my account, and they don't make that easy to do!) I guess my point was more of creating a recognisable interface, something anyone could use. If you can think of any better comparisons by all means let us know! (I would have said Twitter, but I think that has got more complex of late)
But you have to admit, if the Wii U had system-wide FBook integration, it would be very appealing to many people. (maybe not me and you though!)


Lady MushroomJune 20, 2011

Hate Facebook, but I would like it if WiiU's online had its own social networking capabilities shared with 3DS.

Kytim89June 20, 2011

Will the Wii U have a Wiimote 2.0 and wireless CC Pro? I know that I have asked this question numerous times and Nintendo may want us to use our old controllers, but much like a tooth ache, I can not shake this feeling that Nintendo is going to offer newwer accessories just because the money symbol is in their eyes.

Chozo GhostJune 20, 2011

Quote from: Kytim89

Will the Wii U have a Wiimote 2.0 and wireless CC Pro?

Personally, I would rather see a Wavebird 2.0 than a CC Pro. The Wavebird 2.0 should have a rechargeable battery and be Blue-tooth enabled, and since it would run on Blue-tooth it could be called Blue Bird, and it could be colored Blue and have a little blue bird as the mascot for it.

Kytim89June 20, 2011

Quote from: Chozo

Quote from: Kytim89

Will the Wii U have a Wiimote 2.0 and wireless CC Pro?

Personally, I would rather see a Wavebird 2.0 than a CC Pro. The Wavebird 2.0 should have a rechargeable battery and be Blue-tooth enabled, and since it would run on Blue-tooth it could be called Blue Bird, and it could be colored Blue and have a little blue bird as the mascot for it.


If Nintendo truelly wants to attract hardcore gamers then they must have a wireless controller. Honestly, I would be more compelled to buy the Wii U and except its controller if I had a Wiimote 2.0 and wireless CC Pro. Think of that Aliens: Colonial Marines game. I would love to play that game with Move-style motion controls and use that Umote as a motion tracker from the film with aliens popping up on the screen. Or, play Starfox WiiU and use the motion controller to control the arwing while Slippy, Falco and that rabbit all appear on the Umote screen to talk to me.

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)June 21, 2011

Quote from: Chozo

Quote from: Kytim89

Will the Wii U have a Wiimote 2.0 and wireless CC Pro?

Personally, I would rather see a Wavebird 2.0 than a CC Pro. The Wavebird 2.0 should have a rechargeable battery and be Blue-tooth enabled, and since it would run on Blue-tooth it could be called Blue Bird, and it could be colored Blue and have a little blue bird as the mascot for it.

Hawt!

I'd definitely prefer analogue sticks more akin to GC/Wavebird ones than CCPro ones.
But whatever it is, it has to be standalone wireless with rumble - please Nintendo!

BlackNMild2k1June 21, 2011

But the uMote is your CCPro/Wavebird.... unless you mean for multiplayer. :(

Chozo GhostJune 21, 2011

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

But the uMote is your CCPro/Wavebird.... unless you mean for multiplayer. :(

A Bluebird(TM) controller is necessary for multiplayer for sure, but I also can't help but think that some people might actually prefer using something like that instead of the uMote for games not built specifically for the uMote. Why? Because the uMote has a weird layout with the sticks on top over the buttons so that might be awkward, not to mention that the uMote is bulkier and surely heavier as well. If you are playing a game which doesn't require the use of the touch screen thing, then its just dead weight. You don't need a uMote unless the game requires it, and if you don't need it why use it when something simpler and smaller will suffice?

Using a uMOTE to play VC games is like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly when a rolled up newspaper would suffice.

CericJune 21, 2011

Quote from: Chozo

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

But the uMote is your CCPro/Wavebird.... unless you mean for multiplayer. :(

A Bluebird(TM) controller is necessary for multiplayer for sure, but I also can't help but think that some people might actually prefer using something like that instead of the uMote for games not built specifically for the uMote. Why? Because the uMote has a weird layout with the sticks on top over the buttons so that might be awkward, not to mention that the uMote is bulkier and surely heavier as well. If you are playing a game which doesn't require the use of the touch screen thing, then its just dead weight. You don't need a uMote unless the game requires it, and if you don't need it why use it when something simpler and smaller will suffice?

Using a uMOTE to play VC games is like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly when a rolled up newspaper would suffice.

In this day and age though I bet more people have Sledgehammers then Newspapers.

BlackNMild2k1June 21, 2011

Quote from: Chozo

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

But the uMote is your CCPro/Wavebird.... unless you mean for multiplayer. :(

A Bluebird(TM) controller is necessary for multiplayer for sure, but I also can't help but think that some people might actually prefer using something like that instead of the uMote for games not built specifically for the uMote. Why? Because the uMote has a weird layout with the sticks on top over the buttons so that might be awkward, not to mention that the uMote is bulkier and surely heavier as well. If you are playing a game which doesn't require the use of the touch screen thing, then its just dead weight. You don't need a uMote unless the game requires it, and if you don't need it why use it when something simpler and smaller will suffice?

Using a uMOTE to play VC games is like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly when a rolled up newspaper would suffice.

Why use the uMote?

Maybe because at any moment you could switch to the uMote screen. Or maybe because you can access menu and other multitasking functions.

Or maybe because its the main controller, and outside of multiplayer or games that need a pointer, you shouldn't need another controller, a this one has still the functionality of every previous controller, so you might as week get used to it.
Also all the reports put the controller a surprisingly light and comfortable.

Quote from: famicomplicated

\
You mean like "the air" or "the wall" or "random stranger"?

Random stranger up against a wall. The style just doesn't do it for me.

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)June 21, 2011

I have nothing against the WiiU controller, all reports say its nice and light, I was talking about multiplayer.
I'm sure there will be games that don't really need the uMote (heh) much anyway or just have a CC option to satisfy core gamers (eg for the next CoD)

Like I said in the article I really hope they make a CCProU and make it backwardly compatible with Wii, that'd be sweet.
Maybe then we can finally have rumble back in Starfox 64 on VC?

CericJune 21, 2011

Quote from: famicomplicated

I have nothing against the WiiU controller, all reports say its nice and light, I was talking about multiplayer.
I'm sure there will be games that don't really need the uMote (heh) much anyway or just have a CC option to satisfy core gamers (eg for the next CoD)

Like I said in the article I really hope they make a CCProU and make it backwardly compatible with Wii, that'd be sweet.
Maybe then we can finally have rumble back in Starfox 64 on VC?

You can... maybe but it will cost you $290 but we'll throw in the controller and screen for free.

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)June 22, 2011

Quote:

You can... maybe it will cost you $290 for the controller but we'll throw in a console for free.

Fixed.

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