Nintendo and Controllers

[Fierce_LiNk]

There does seem to be a bit of negativity surrounding this issue. Some feel that Nintendo simply have too many controllers.

 

I'll explain my situation and what brought me to this topic. I've purchased Tekken and Sonic All Stars racing both for Wii U (they both have reeeeally long titles...) The singleplayer stuff using the GamePad is fine. But, I fancied trying a bit of multiplayer.

 

Now, this is where there seems to be an issue for some. What exactly is supported and what is not? I've had a look at the back of both boxes and, to my surprise, there are quite a few different controller options. Sonic, in particular, uses the GamePad and can use Pro controller, Wiimote, Wiimote + Nunchuk, Wheel and CCPro...talk about spoilt for choice.

 

I can't really see that being a negative at all. The only criticism could be that you need the classic controller pro and not the original one, as that doesn't contain enough shoulder buttons. But...I'm pleasantly surprised that I don't necessarily need to leave the old CCPro in the drawer and can actually use it.

 

So, in short: Do you feel that there are too many controllers? If so, why is that a negative?

[Serebii]

I love the choice. I just guess that people have issues with it because the choice makes them think it's too complicated

 

I always pick the GamePad above all else at the moment, however. Except for Pikmin 3, of course.

[Ike]

I think the main problem is that we have so many controllers but most games don't support all of them. Or maybe that they take away the point of the Gamepad sometimes.

[Jimbob]

Depends entirely on the game. Most of my gaming happens on the Gamepad. I play NSMBU on the Wiimote, only because i fancy retro-style controls. Monster Hunter on the Gamepad (because i like the map and HUD feature). Pikmin 3 is a combo of Gamepad and Wiimote/Nunchuck.

 

But, i can use the Wii Classic Pro controller for MH3. Wonder if Wind Waker HD will allow this, or will i need to venture into a Pro Controller. Or will the Gamepad be enough, only time will tell with this.

 

I agree there is a lot of choice with controllers, with Nintendo it is a lot of choice. Maybe too much, but i find it's ok. I only use the above choices anyway, even if i played Mario Kart Wii or Smash Brothers:Brawl (that, i use the Wiimote/Nunchuck combo)

[Kaepora_Gaebora]

Not adverse to too many controllers, but I still remember on launch day my mate coming over, firing up Nintendoland...and not being able to use my new pro controller I had just shelled out £40 for. Or use it with NSMBU. That was stupid!

[Londragon]

Not adverse to too many controllers, but I still remember on launch day my mate coming over, firing up Nintendoland...and not being able to use my new pro controller I had just shelled out £40 for. Or use it with NSMBU. That was stupid!

 

Yeah, I'm still amazed there has been no patch to allow the use of the Pro Controller with Nintendo Land, yet, and probably never.

[Dcubed]

Having that Swiss Army knife approach is great because it means that you can offer all kinds of experiences.

 

The problem with this approach though is that it discourages specialisation. If you have support for all kinds of controllers in your game, then you cannot design gameplay that can only be done using a certain controller.

 

Something like Nintendo Land couldn't be done with the Pro Controller (ignoring the multiplayer modes in AC Sweet Day, Mario Chase and Luigi's Ghost Mansion - but the simplicity of the controls are clearly made in mind with the Wii Remote even there; adding in Pro Controller support for just those minigames would be confusing for the intended audience) and neither could Skyward Sword, but still you have people complaining about those games not having support for traditional controllers.

 

For a game like Mario Kart 8, or SSB4 or most multiplatform 3rd party titles; yes, they should just support every control scheme the Wii U has to offer. But we should also see games that are designed around just one set of controls as well (or two, in the case of Pikmin 3!).

 

Support for all these controllers is great, but it shouldn't mean that developers have to support everything. If they want to make a game that could only be done with the Wii Remote/Wiimote & Chuck, great! They shouldn't have to water down the game design to fit the lowest common denominator.

 

If they want to make a traditional style game that doesn't really need motion or touch controls or a second screen, then sure; go ahead and support the Pro Controller/Classic Controller as well.

[Grazza]

From my point of view, we had the perfect controller with the GameCube, but Nintendo has been reinventing the wheel ever since. That's why it's a bit irritating. Some of were looking forward to more Wind Wakers and Mario Sunshines, but Nintendo's next controller, the Wii remote, couldn't do half of what the GameCube pad could.

 

The idea of choice and everyone using their favourite controller is a nice theory but it doesn't work in practice. If something has to be able to use the Wii remote, you can't let anyone use all the buttons on the GameCube pad (see Twilight Princess). If a game has to be able to use the Wii U GamePad, you can't let anyone use analogue triggers.

[Retro_Link]

Surely cost is an issue too?

 

When you have to pick up a dedicated controller for a Virtual Console, something's a bit wrong IMO.

[RedShell]

I can't really see that being a negative at all. The only criticism could be that you need the classic controller pro and not the original one, as that doesn't contain enough shoulder buttons. But...I'm pleasantly surprised that I don't necessarily need to leave the old CCPro in the drawer and can actually use it.

Say what now? The Wii Classic Controller and Classic Controller Pro have exactly the same amount of buttons.

Their placement is the only difference.

 

So, in short: Do you feel that there are too many controllers? If so, why is that a negative?

Not really, no. What I'm not a fan of, is having to use more than one type of controller during a single player game.

 

Having a combination of GamePad and Wii Remotes is fine (awesome actually) for multiplayer modes, but as I discovered recently with Pikmin 3, having certain aspects tied to the GamePad, when using the Wii Remote/Nunchuck control scheme was really annoying.

 

So yeah, I just hope there aren't going to be many more single player games that want you to switch between the GamePad and Wii Remote.

[Fierce_LiNk]

Say what now? The Wii Classic Controller and Classic Controller Pro have exactly the same amount of buttons.

Their placement is the only difference.

 

Not really, no. What I'm not a fan of, is having to use more than one type of controller during a single player game.

 

Having a combination of GamePad and Wii Remotes is fine (awesome actually) for multiplayer modes, but as I discovered recently with Pikmin 3, having certain aspects tied to the GamePad, when using the Wii Remote/Nunchuck control scheme was really annoying.

 

So yeah, I just hope there aren't going to be many more single player games that want you to switch between the GamePad and Wii Remote.

 

Ah, I don't have the original classic controller myself so thought they were 2 buttons short. You are indeed right.

 

Out of curiosity, what annoyed you about the GamePad/Wiimote combo? I've found it god-like for Pikmin.

[RedShell]

Out of curiosity, what annoyed you about the GamePad/Wiimote combo? I've found it god-like for Pikmin.

The fact that I only have 2 hands.

It'd be OK if I had three:

 

Yeah, just having to put down the Remote/Nunchuck and pick up the GamePad every time I wanted to check the map or make use of the "go here" feature became quite tedious.

[Fierce_LiNk]

The fact that I only have 2 hands.

It'd be OK if I had three:

 

Yeah, just having to put down the Remote/Nunchuck and pick up the GamePad every time I wanted to check the map or make use of the "go here" feature became quite tedious.

 

I've thanked you for the Total Recall reference.

 

I use the GamePad stand. Put that on the table, use the Wiimote and Nunchuk, and use my fingers to scroll along the pad if I need to. I love it.

[RedShell]

I use the GamePad stand. Put that on the table, use the Wiimote and Nunchuk, and use my fingers to scroll along the pad if I need to. I love it.

I tried that as well, obviously makes it a bit easier, but I still would've preferred to just use the Remote and Nunchuck for everything.

I mean when the game is paused and you can scroll the map on the GamePad, why is it not possible to just move it directly on the TV with the Remote?

Doesn't make sense to me.

[nekunando]

I've expressed my feelings on this before but with the Wii U Gamepad, Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Remote, Wii Remote & Nunchuk, Wii Classic Controller and Wii Classic Controller Pro there's just too much going on, that's even before you take into account Motion Plus and the compatibility of the games

 

In some cases, it is beneficial to have so much choice as people can play the way they want but there is no guarantee that your controller of choice will work with each individual game. It may also cause problems with players fighting over which controller they get to use..

 

When we play the N64, there's no confusion. You stick four N64 controllers in and everyone is ready to go. There's no checking the back of the boxes to see what controller is compatible or if there has been an update to allow us to use a specific controller. It's simple

 

The amount of confusion regarding the Wii U, however, seems to be totally against Nintendo's ideal of making gaming simple and accessible for everyone..