Does the Wii-U innovate gameplay?

[J T]

The Wii-U looks like some sort of beautiful freak to me. It looks pretty, but I really don't see why I need a tablet and a TV to play games. It seems like Nintendo saw the rise of the i-Phone and i-Pad, listened to all the complaints about the Wii not being as hardcore as the Xbox360, saw how well online business and gameplay interacts on the PC, and they just slapped all that shit together. It's like some hi-tech Frankenstein monster. But does it do anything new? I haven't really followed the release materials and I haven't tried the Wii-U yet. I don't have (or want) a smart phone or an i-Pad or other tablet, so the Wii-U doesn't immediately speak to me. But I do love to see innovation, so I'm curious to hear from those that have played the Wii-U if you think it really has gameplay that wouldn't be possible with any other console?

[ZenErik]

Yes and no. It sort of brings DS features to home consoles. Which can be very useful. And the ability to play some games on just the Gamepad is pretty useful. Though not a gameplay innovation.

[gtmtnbiker]

I haven't tried the Wii-U yet.

I think the best thing is for you to go to GameStop and try it yourself. I personally enjoyed my experience with it.

[dsheinem]

I think it is a bit early to tell, really. Nothing I've played on it or seen really strikes me as uncharted and interesting territory from a gameplay perspective, though I feel that the potential is there.

[noiseredux]

Nothing I've played on it or seen really strikes me as uncharted

that's a Sony exclusive, guy.

[MrPopo]

Nothing I've played on it or seen really strikes me as uncharted

that's a Sony exclusive, guy.

That's the kind of terrible jokes that gets you sacked as a mod.

[noiseredux]

Nothing I've played on it or seen really strikes me as uncharted

that's a Sony exclusive, guy.

That's the kind of terrible jokes that gets you sacked as a mod.

Sackboy is Sony-only too. Why did you guys even buy Nintendo consoles?

[AznKhmerBoi]

Playing Rayman on it sure made me think it.

[jay_red]

I would say yes for sure, having a good selection of the launch games, and putting a lot of time into the system it has surprised me in a lot of ways. First off, offering a 2nd screen for local multilayer has been awesome, be it nintendo land, or Sonic all stars racing with my wife, not having to split the screen has been a welcome feature. The gamepad also allowed a 5th player for sonic racing, which was awesome when I brought the console over to a family gathering.

As mentioned before, the Gamepad allows for a very DS like experience with some games, be it to display a map, or inventory screen, or add extra buttons, the gamepad definitely adds to the experience without feeling like a gimmick. One feature that I knew about that I didnt realize would be as awesome as it really is, is being able to play on the gamepad only. Most games support this, and being able to share the TV is very nice. BUT the best use I have found is that I can grab the console and just the power cord, take it to the bedroom, and play Mario, Sonic Racing, Mighty Switch Force etc.. right in bed. I love it, and have done it more than a few times.

I have never been so "into" a new console as the Wii-U. I got a DS at launch, sold it quickly after, ended up buying it again down the road. Got a Wii at launch, and traded it for a 360 just weeks after purchasing. Got the 3ds at launch, and it sadly sat for months waiting for games to trickle down, now it is one of the most played in my house. The point is, with the Wii-U, I have not had the "honey moon" period as with other consoles, it gets played regularly still, and I am looking forward to what awesome uses the gamepad will bring next year. Sorry for the long post, but with all the negativity around this console since it launched, I wanted to show that it really is an impressive console, that I enjoy very much.

[Zing]

You can do all that bedroom gaming with any of the other existing handheld consoles. I don't see anything new here.