Wii-U thoughts so far

[emwearz]

Nintendo have sunk money into the project, just like Wonderful 101. They are the sole publisher. It's not happening unless Nintendo decide to.

It is not like Resident Evil 4 which was completely funded and published by Capcom, this game has Nintendo money in it and is published by Nintendo.

This was all discussed and sorted like 2 years ago when the game was announced as a exclusive.

[Ziggy]

What does Nintendo know about batteries that Sony doesn't?

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying all this to be a Nintendo fanboy explaining yet another reason why I think Nintendo is better than Playstation or Xbox. This is just something I've noticed.

I mentioned in another thread, I don't remember which, that my DS phat and 3DS XL's batteries LONG outlast my PSP 3000 with an extended life battery. It's not even that it far outlast powered on time, it also last longer powered off. I can charge those three handhelds and leave them for 6+ months. The DS and 3DS will still be almost fully charged. The PSP will be dead, not able to power on. And no, I don't leave it in standby.

Now I was just thinking the same thing with my PS3 controllers and my Wii U Pro controller. I haven't charged or used my Wii U Pro controller in months now. Leaving it this long, I know that my PS3 controllers would be dead. I know this because they're dead every time I go to use them after leaving them off for several months. The Pro controller still had a charge. And it just went through hours and hours of MK8 before the battery light finally came on. I think it's fair to compare these two controllers. They're the same button count, both are Bluetooth IIRC, both have rumble.

So, it's not like Nintendo has an amazing battery technology that they developed. Why doesn't Sony use longer lasting batteries in their controllers and handhelds?

I can't comment on Xbox controllers, cause I've never owned a 360 or One. And I've also never owned a Vita or PS4, so for all I know those batteries could last longer than Nintendo. But yeah, I've just noticed with the Wii U vs PS3 controllers my PSP vs (3)DS handhelds that Nintendo batteries hold a charge longer and have longer playing time. And it's not even close, the Nintendo batteries win by miles.

[emwearz]

The irony is that the Wii u Pro controller's battery is insane, it is amazing and I agree with the ahove, a shame the gamepad battery life is dog shit.

[dsheinem]

I find that the Vita can live in "standby" longer than any handheld I have without needing a charge (including the DSiXL and 3DSXL). Since I play with everything on all handhelds at brightest settings, with 3D on, with wi-fi enabled, etc. I find that they all last about the same amount of time for actually playing, with the PSP-2000 w/extended battery probably lasting the longest.

Sony's controller battery time is the worst on both the PS3 and the PS4, but just barely worse than the WiiMote in my experience (which, of course, depends on the batteries you supply). MS' is better than either of them, easily. Everything is better than the Gamepad, though I've not had a chance to put a WiiU Pro controller through its paces (waiting for a game - perhaps Bayonetta 2 - that would make this worth doing).

[BogusMeatFactory]

The irony is that the Wii u Pro controller's battery is insane, it is amazing and I agree with the ahove, a shame the gamepad battery life is dog shit.

Yeah I went through the entirety of Super Mario 3D Land and New Super Mario Bros U and Super Luigi U before needing a recharge. Tons of hours put into it.

I understand why the gamepad doesn't last long, but Nintendo seems to be on that by turning the screen off if you are using the TV for games like Donkey Kong Country to help preserve battery life. It isn't horribly bad and luckily, my couch is next to a power outlet for ease of charging and playing.

[alienjesus]

I find that the Vita can live in "standby" longer than any handheld I have without needing a charge (including the DSiXL and 3DSXL). Since I play with everything on all handhelds at brightest settings, with 3D on, with wi-fi enabled, etc. I find that they all last about the same amount of time for actually playing, with the PSP-2000 w/extended battery probably lasting the longest.

Sony's controller battery time is the worst on both the PS3 and the PS4, but just barely over the WiiMote in my experience. MS' is better than either of them, easily. Everything is better than the Gamepad, though I've not had a chance to put a WiiU Pro controller through its paces (waiting for a game - perhaps Bayonetta 2 - that would make this worth doing).

I think my Vita battery lasts longer than my 3DS battery in general, and seems to hold a charge pretty well. I understand the PSP complaint Ziggy has though - mine loses charge pretty quickly even if I'm not using it.

[Cronozilla]

Something that's interesting is Nintendo is calling Bayonetta 2 "Second Party". Which makes sense, they are funding and publishing it. But it might also mean it'll result in something fundamentally different than hands off third party games.

[Ziggy]

a shame the gamepad battery life is dog shit.

Why does every one have a problem with it? The battery life of my Gamepad never phases me. What are your gaming habits that the battery life is such a pain in the ass? Whenever I'm done playing I drop it in the charging cradle. It seems to recharge really fast, so it's always fully or almost fully charged whenever I start playing.

The battery life, if I recall correctly, is 2-3 hours. The only way that's a problem is if you're playing for 2-3 hours at a time without a break. The solution is real simple, just don't do that.


edit: At least Nintendo gives you a decently long charging cable with the Pro controller. You can easily plug it into the U and sit on the coach in a lot of rooms. The cable that came with my PS3 Slim was even shorter than the cable that came with my PS3 Fat, and it's probably only half as long as the Pro controller's charging cable. I mean, I suppose one could always go on Amazon and get a 15ft USB cable for cheap.

Since I play with everything on all handhelds at brightest settings, with 3D on, with wi-fi enabled, etc. I find that they all last about the same amount of time for actually playing, with the PSP-2000 w/extended battery probably lasting the longest.

I think the brightness on my 3DS is set to a little over halfway. When I first got it, I left it almost all the way up. Then I turned it down some and noticed that it looks just fine, and the battery life DRAMATICALLY improved, so I've left it there every since. I will only sometimes turn the 3D on, but mostly it's always off. I only ever have the WiFi on if I'm actually using it. Otherwise, it's always off. My PSP Slim, I have the brightness set similarly to the 3DS, and the WiFi is always off since I never need to do anything online with it.

I understand the PSP complaint Ziggy has though - mine loses charge pretty quickly even if I'm not using it.

It wasn't even so much a complaint as much as an observation.

Whenever I'm actively playing PS3 games, I've never had an issue with the battery life on the controllers. Likewise with the PSP Slim. Sure, they don't hold a charge as long as the U Pro controller or (3)DS, but long enough not to bother me much. Them becoming DEAD after no use though, that's kind of annoying.




edit: Some other random thoughts about the Wii U Pro Controller... I kinda hate the finish on the top of the controller. I mean, it looks nice and all. But that glossy finish gets mucked up too easily. Maybe I have sweaty hands, I don't know. But it gets nasty fast. I like the finish on the back of the controller. I wish the top was the same thing.

I had the original PS3 Dual Shock controller. When I got my PS3 Slim, I was actually surprised with the Dual Shock controller that came with it. The finish was just slightly different from the original, more on the satin/matte side than glossy. That type of finish is much better IMO. Doesn't get mucked up so easily.

[emwearz]

Having to recharge the controller every time you use it, is pretty bad. Saying "You can charge it" hardly makes its short battery life any better, Nintendo knew it was bad, why they released a better, aftermarket battery for the thing. I just charge it when I know I want to play, it doesn't bother me, but doesn't change the fact its battery life is horrible.

If you don't play for a couple weeks, it tends to be dead when you pick it up as well.

I agree, everything to do with the Pro Controller (other than non analog should buttons) is perfect.

[Ziggy]

You don't have the charging cradle? Well, THERE'S your problem!

https://store.nintendo.com/ng3/us/po/br ... d=cat10012

I forgot that the Basic set didn't include the charging cradle, and that not every one has one. If you don't, I highly recommend getting one. I agree, having to plug it in after each gaming session would be bullshit. With the cradle though, I've NEVER had an issue with the Gamepad.