Does the Wii-U innovate gameplay?

[CRTGAMER]

If Nintendo ported some DS/3DS games to the system via a "virtual console"-like service.

Good call! I'm pretty sure this will happen, only makes sense.

The handheld screen definitely offers innovation with the weapon draw of Project P100 or whatever its called now and that various games that use the small screen as a status or map. Someone posted a tease of maybe an Aliens game using the handheld screen as a Motion Tracker, I think this would make me invest in a Wii U.

[ZenErik]

If Nintendo ported some DS/3DS games to the system via a "virtual console"-like service.

Good call! I'm pretty sure this will happen, only makes sense.

The handheld screen definitely offers innovation with the weapon draw of Project P100 or whatever its called now and that various games that use the small screen as a status or map. Someone posted a tease of maybe an Aliens game using the handheld screen as a Motion Tracker, I think this would make me invest in a Wii U.

The gyroscope and motion sensors in the Gamepad also make a difference in addition to the screen. DK's Crash Course is ridiculously fun!

[J T]

I read something today about TVii, which while not innovating gameplay, might innovate how we watch television. You can browse through TV programming on your pad while you continue to watch shows on your TV. You can also be online with the pad and send tweets, facebook posts, or look up info on IMDB while you are watching TV. As the TVii gains more functionality, you will be able to TiVO shows.

Again though, these things are mainly cool for other people, but don't matter much for me. I don't facebook, I don't tweet, I don't channel surf, and when I do watch TV it's usually something streamed via NetFlix on a laptop I have connected to the television.

The Wii U seems to add a lot of options for multi-tasking while watching video or playing video games. My impression is that this isn't something I care about doing, but I see potential for interesting game ideas, I just have yet to hear of anything that looks like an impressive use of the technology. The commercial where the kid is using his pad to mimick throwing shurikens at the TV screen just looks stupid to me. However, if someone were to make a game of Fatal Frame where your Wii U pad was your camera, then I could get into that.

[ZenErik]

However, if someone were to make a game of Fatal Frame where your Wii U pad was your camera, then I could get into that.

That sounds likely. And like a great idea.

Also, I haven't seen the commercial you referred to, but I'm assuming it's showing the ninja star game in Nintendo Land. Which is very fun. I like the use of the Gamepad on most Nintendo Land games.

[Reprise]

ZombiU works with nothing but the WiiU gamepad. It's critical to gameplay in that game. It wouldn't work without it.

It doesn't even support the pro controller for multiplayer, only a Wiimote + nunchuck.

It does support the pro controller in multiplayer. That's how my girlfriend and I play it.