Wii-U thoughts so far

[fastbilly1]

so dumb question time:

No questions are dumb questions

Do I need a Wii U Pro Gamepad?

Not unless you want one

Is it required for certain games?

No, so far the pad is always usable.

Is it, in your experience, preferred for some?

I have used it and while I like it more than using a Classic Controller Pro, not enough to buy one. Mario Kart might change that though.

If I have the Wii Classic Controller or Classic Controller Pro, can that work instead for some/all games?

Some yes, but not all. I do not have a list handy, but I know some games that support the Pro controller do not support the Wiimote, and thus no Classic Controller. Here is a list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wi ... Controller

What do you plan to use for MK8 if you are getting it?

Wiipad, or Classic Controller/Classic Controller Pro.

If I do need a Wii U Pro Gampead, are the third party controllers better in any way?

Many people love the Interworks Pro controller, but after using one I feel that it is too fat. Launch Xbox controller fat. However the Nyko Pro Commander is supposed to be excellent aswell, I just have never used it.

[Reprise]

Do I need a Wii U Pro Gamepad?

I bought one at launch with my console and I haven't used it since. I bought one because I thought it may be useful for multiplayer and possibly better/more comfortable for games that don't make good use of the tablet gamepad.

As it turned out though, I really don't play much local multiplayer and for games that don't make great use of the tablet, I still prefer to use the tablet gamepad.

If you do plan to play a lot of local multiplayer though, I say get it. The battery lasts for about 80 hours, which is incredible! As for the old Wii classic controllers, you can only use those on Wii games. Not Wii U games.

[fastbilly1]

As for the old Wii classic controllers, you can only use those on Wii games. Not Wii U games.

Not true, many Wiiu retail released games are Classic Controller compatible:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ga ... ller#Wii_U

[Reprise]

As for the old Wii classic controllers, you can only use those on Wii games. Not Wii U games.

Not true, many Wiiu retail released games are Classic Controller compatible:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ga ... ller#Wii_U

Wow, I never knew that. Sorry about the mistake there.

[CavZee]

I use the Pro controller alot and really like it. It's like a wider 360 controller but with a better DPAD and the battery life is amazing. Some dont like the symmetrical design with both analog sticks up top but it feels really good to me.

Only games where I prefer using the gamepad would be games that are really designed around the Gamepad and work well like ZombiU, The Wonderful 101, Wind Waker HD, and Nintendoland obviously.

I'll be using the Pro controller on Mario Kart 8 more often than not.

[kelsoanim]

I also really dig the Wii U Pro controller. I bought it for DKCR Tropical Freeze and Rayman Legends. It's a must for platformers if you ask me. Mario 3D World feels really good with the controller as well, though there are some levels that force you to switch back to the tablet controller.

[jay_red]

So after posting about Mario 3d land, and thinking I would never unlock the final world, I buckled down, and spent a few days getting all stars, stamps, and gold flag poles. I had to replay about 60-70% of the levels to clean up whatever I missed (lots of gold flag poles actually) and the final world before the special stages was a mess because we played the whole thing with 3 players originally. I finally did it, got everything, and opened the final world... Then I tried champion's road about 10 times, and game up for the night.

[dsheinem]

would appreciate if you chimed in: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 21#p883721

on a related note, any exclusive eshop games i need?

[darsparx]

Well if you want a good eshop game for the wii menu there's jett rocket. For what I've played of it, it's a great 3d platformer, and they're doing a sequel that's coming or is on the wii u shop. I just need to get around to beating the first one.

[alienjesus]

would appreciate if you chimed in: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 21#p883721

on a related note, any exclusive eshop games i need?

Honestly, right now? NES Remix 1 & 2 are pretty fun in my opinion, but they seem very hit or miss amongst people.

Other than that, I'd say no. There are some good games on there, but most of them are available elsewhere (often steam, but also a few on PSN and XBLA). I think CloudBerry Kingdom is exclusive, but it looks a bit repetitive to me and I hate those deliberately hard indie games.