Wii-U thoughts so far

[dunpeal2064]

I actually like the gamepad, though more for its potential than its current implementation.

Really, the last thing I want to see is Nintendo not doing what they want to do or feel passionate about, to fit in more with expectations. A more powerful machine would not hamper them (price aside), but removing the gamepad is actually asking them to change their goals with the system.

To be fair, though, I can see their sales being higher without the gamepad. Its just not the sort of change I personally want to see Nintendo make.

[dsheinem]

I wonder how much a Wii U would cost, were it as powerful a machine as the ps4, but still bundled with a tablet?

Probably about the same as what the Xbox One w/Kinect sold for.

Do you think the system would have sold better in that case, or worse?

(Not trying to lock you into a fallacy here, as it may appear, just curious as to your thoughts )

I would guess it would have sold better, but that's now also dependent on a very diff launch lineup that didn't include ports of games that had come out previously and in similar quality on competitor's consoles.

[ZeroAX]

I actually like the gamepad, though more for its potential than its current implementation.

Really, the last thing I want to see is Nintendo not doing what they want to do or feel passionate about, to fit in more with expectations. A more powerful machine would not hamper them (price aside), but removing the gamepad is actually asking them to change their goals with the system.

To be fair, though, I can see their sales being higher without the gamepad. Its just not the sort of change I personally want to see Nintendo make.

I like Nintendo being Nintendo too, but the gamepad and 3DS are completely the opposite of that. For the DS and the Wii they were just experimenting with a ton of gameplay and input ideas and came up with these 2 concepts that translated into amazing games that could ONLY exist on these systems. That's what sparked the imagination of the public and it made both systems sell like crazy (not ot mention the many many amazing games that were released for both consoles (really anyone who says the Wii just has shovelware, just has a very limited taste in games, wanting all games to belong in the 2-3 mainstream genres that HD consoles were so good at).

But the 3DS and Wii U seem like just Nintendo going "geee, 3D is all the rage these days" (remember this was back in 2010, right after Avatar) "how about we make a handheld console that uses that. So what if its pointless and it veeeeery rarely adds to the gameplay, at least it looks nice........in the 5 first party titles that will bother using it properly" and: "gee, kids sure love playing on tablets and the DS was such a huge success, how about we just add a second screen to the controller, thus making our home console feel like our handheld console".

I LOVE Nintendo, and their software is simply put far above ANY other publisher's in the industry.....but their engineerign department just sucks, and it feels they were just looking for a gimmick for gimmick's sake. I'm sure that there are still great ideas they can try with input methods, but these 2 were just a dud (as ideas of course, I still love my 3DS and the Wii U is the only current gen console that interests me, since I know how to build a decent PC for cheap and Steam >>>>> PS4&Xbone)

[dunpeal2064]

See, I think the pad has the potential to offer gaming experiences that would be unique to that system. BogusMeatFactory brought up the idea of a D&D game, where the pad player is the DM. This sounds awesome to me. Stuff like FFCC or 4 Swords would be great too.

Again, its current use is not the best, but I would prefer it exist, even if only a handful of games make good use of it. I still have hopes, but maybe I am too optimistic.

3D is fine, imo. Its fun. It certainly adds to the game experience, just not in controls or gameplay. You could say the same for music or visuals in any game though. But, it was never put forth as something that would change the way you game. The 3ds is really just a beefy-ass DS that still pushes out delicious games. I just see the 3D as a bonus feature, not a selling point, and I haven't seen Nintendo laud it as a selling point for their games either, at least not in recent years.

I would guess it would have sold better, but that's now also dependent on a very diff launch lineup that didn't include ports of games that had come out previously and in similar quality on competitor's consoles.

I just can't see how.

Nintendo would need to do a lot more than just offer a capable console to rid gamers of the sour taste they have for the company. If I am random guy who wants AAA games, and loved stuff like Uncharted, Mass Effect, Bioshock, etc, why would I take the risk of buying a Wii U over a ps4, especially when the price is the same? The GC had capabilities, but still fell short in most people's eyes. Not to mention, my choices for possible exclusive titles are either Mario and Zelda, or The Last of Us, Uncharted, Kingdom Hearts, etc.

It would be a leap of faith to decide, with Nintendo's history, to put my money on it as a competing console. I really think the higher price tag would drive more people away than it would bring in.

[ZeroAX]

See, I think the pad has the potential to offer gaming experiences that would be unique to that system. BogusMeatFactory brought up the idea of a D&D game, where the pad player is the DM. This sounds awesome to me. Stuff like FFCC or 4 Swords would be great too.

Again, its current use is not the best, but I would prefer it exist, even if only a handful of games make good use of it. I still have hopes, but maybe I am too optimistic.

3D is fine, imo. Its fun. It certainly adds to the game experience, just not in controls or gameplay. You could say the same for music or visuals in any game though. But, it was never put forth as something that would change the way you game. The 3ds is really just a beefy-ass DS that still pushes out delicious games. I just see the 3D as a bonus feature, not a selling point, and I haven't seen Nintendo laud it as a selling point for their games either, at least not in recent years.

I concede on the gamepad argument, since I was thinking exclusively of single player experiences. And imo one of the most important reasons for consoles to still exist is local multiplayer (and that's what I'll be buying a Wii U for).

But on the 3DS: yes it doesn't hurt that it exists....till you think that when the 3DS came out that 3D screen was by far the most expensive component and they could have instead spent that money on 2 wide-screen....screens (instead of 1) and stronger hardware (that way we could get a Xenoblade port without needing to upgrade, and smash 4 would have the ice climbers).

[dunpeal2064]

Thats a fair point. Though, perhaps they were worried that people would simply see their handheld as "just another revision of the DS/dsi, probably no good exclusives, etc", if they didn't do something to make it stand apart. Larger screens and a stronger system... sounds like the dsi xl! Why do I need ANOTHER revision?

Sure, we know, the handheld is much stronger and therefore will support a new library, but I think most people needed... something more clear cut to show them 'This is a new thing, and the games will only work on this new handheld because your old DS can't do 3D!".

Its silly, but it doesn't seem too far-fetched. Imagine those that were burned by the dsi seeing "Super DS" or something. But, the 3DS, this is clearly next-gen, this is the Game Boy Color, not some revision like the Pocket.

And, of all the things they could do to make the handheld stand out, 3D is the least offensive. Though, I happen to enjoy the feature. After a few beers, the child in me comes out, and simply holding a 3D screen in front of my face is quite pleasing. Sometimes those simple things just take me out of "srs gmr" mode, and remind me that some shit is just.... cool.

[isiolia]

See, I think the pad has the potential to offer gaming experiences that would be unique to that system. BogusMeatFactory brought up the idea of a D&D game, where the pad player is the DM. This sounds awesome to me. Stuff like FFCC or 4 Swords would be great too.

It's not necessary for that use. Amusingly enough, watch_dogs has something like that. However, in companion app form that works with every version of the game, much like the Ground Zeroes app (which is pretty useless for a single person, but makes for a cool dynamic playing "co-op").

To me, the better move for a platform is to stick to basic specs. There are a wide range of peripherals that are great within a particular niche, but don't need to be adding to the base cost of a system, much less impacting the hardware included. All three companies did that to a degree, but Sony put the least into it (dedicated video compression chip, offhand).

[dunpeal2064]

I see your point, but I think there is some difference between app compatibility and having a pad, hooked up to the same console that everyone else is playing on. I suppose its a difference barely worth noting to some, and maybe along the lines of "It just feels good to plug a cart into a console", but I would enjoy the experience more if I wasn't on my phone in an app to play with my friends on their console.

Though, this is entirely from the couch co-op perspective. There is just.. something awesome about sitting down, with one console on, doing neat things, and the pad lends itself to this very well. (Or, it at least has the potential to)

It also has less quirky couch co-op features, like allowing 5 players to race in Sega All Stars Racing Transformed, without having to awkwardly fit a 5th screen in on the tv. This may be possible with an app, but again, I think the experience would be more seamless if everyone was playing on the same console. And, again, to be fair, I do have a weakness for silly amounts of players sitting in front of one tv, with one console, playing a game.

Good point though.

[KalessinDB]

Heck, even for 2 player I enjoy no split screen on Hyrule Warriors.

Although I do miss being able to glance and see how close our KO counts are and mocking/being mocked depending on who's leading.

[BogusMeatFactory]

Though, this is entirely from the couch co-op perspective. There is just.. something awesome about sitting down, with one console on, doing neat things, and the pad lends itself to this very well. (Or, it at least has the potential to)

It also has less quirky couch co-op features, like allowing 5 players to race in Sega All Stars Racing Transformed, without having to awkwardly fit a 5th screen in on the tv. This may be possible with an app, but again, I think the experience would be more seamless if everyone was playing on the same console. And, again, to be fair, I do have a weakness for silly amounts of players sitting in front of one tv, with one console, playing a game.

Good point though.

We have an office chair set aside next to the couch for the pad player, because a lot of times, guests want to play Nintendoland of all things and the office chair is the best for motion controls like controlling the samus ship in the metroid game. Also it assures no looking at the TV screen for cheating!