Nintendo reveals Wii U GamePad prototypes
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Reps from company's Entertainment Analysis & Development Division reveal and detail first iterations of tablet-like controller.
Nintendo has revealed the first Wii U GamePad prototypes, giving gamers a look at what the tablet-like controller looked like in its very first iterations. These were revealed and discussed in a new Iwata Asks interview, the focus of which was actually Wii U pack-in game Nintendo Land.
The first iteration was a Wii Zapper with an LCD screen placed on its barrel. According to a representative from Nintendo's Entertainment Analysis & Development Division (EAD), this prototype allowed the company to better understand the two-screen approach it would ultimately decide to make the focus of the Wii U.
The second prototype resembled the final iteration of the GamePad more closely. It was created using a monitor with controllers on either end attached to the device with double-sided tape. Thirty game concepts were conceived with this controller, and it ultimately led to the creation of Nintendo Land.
Additionally, Nintendo said it discovered the appeal of "asymmetrical gameplay" as a result of this Wii U GamePad prototype. This time type of gameplay is when players take on different roles in a multiplayer game, as in Nintendo Land's Chase Mario attraction.
The Wii U launched last month and has sold 425,000 units in the United States alone.
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
245 comments
WTH is nintendo smoking these days, I want controller not a controler attached to tablet or freaking screen....
2 Like It's still a controller, how do you think the traditional controller we have today came to be? Nintendo, Sega or Sony didn't all of a sudden think "OH! We should have a controller with two analogs, 4 face buttons, 4 shoulder buttons, a d-pad, start/select, rumble, and wireless!" No, with every generation, a new idea was introduced to the controller, and for the most part, it was Nintendo who made those contributions and this is the next step of they're taking.
2 Like @tsunami2311 If you were my friend, i'd let you come over and check it out with good food.
It isn't bad dude...can't stress it enough.
Agreed. Without solid games that take advantage of the peripherals they're just a waste of money.
1 Like @blackwingzero @N-REAL Take advantage..hmm..
I'd probably go with "Convenient and Proper Execution".
Holy crap. Imagine a plastic gun peripheral with the Wii U's screen snapped on top of it, and the Wiimote/nunchuk placed inside just like it is in the picture above. They can then display a FPS on the screen, and use the gryo to aim while using the thumbstick to walk and strafe. It would be pretty damn close to virtual reality. You'd have to keep turning and looking in reality to turn and look in the game. Of course, an option to play such a game the normal way would be great too, but to play one like this sounds awesome.
I know there are videos on Youtube of people who created exactly this, and it always looked awesome. Now with the Wii U, we can actually do it.
@EKGProd What you've just described sounds like the wiimote+nunchuk / zapper control set-up of the Wii which was ignored by people that hadn't given it a chance (It was a great control scheme option). The addition of the WiiU controller as a scope mounted onto the zapper was shown in the WiiU trailer video in last year's E3. Looks like a good idea, but we shall see how it goes.
@bjvill That was what I was describing, but it would have to be modified to fit the screen, which is why I didn't just call it the Wii Zapper. We all bought one. You'd think I would have learned after 28 years to stop buying crap for Nintendo consoles that they don't ever support, but I guess I'm thick headed.
If they took the Wii U Controller with the screen, strapped it on top of a Zapper, and games supported that control scheme, it would be revolutionary. Imagine the accuracy you would get if you were using the gyro to control it. You would be playing the entire game on the controller, and using your actual movements to dictate aiming.
Gyro's are super responsive. They are the closest to 1:1 you're going to get out of motion controls. And it would be the closest thing we have to virtual reality. Again, there are some great video's on youtube of people who have already built such things playing Black Ops and other shooters online and absolutely dominating.
Screen controller is nice but I think it's too mature (av gear - tv, netflix), or too gimmicky (limited gaming value to justify the high price) for the majority to appreciate. They should consider an option B strategy of marketing a different sku as an HD package with the pro controller only and a lower price point. As a side note, yesterday my Walmart seemed to have a strategy of their own by leaving the glass case open with all the wii u games and a couple consules. Either it was a mistake or they realized that it wasn't selling and therefore left the case open for people to explore and possibly impulse buy.
Does any game on the WiiU have the capability to just stream and play the game on the controller screen instead of the television?
Any game that doesn't fully take advantage of the GamePad's screen (like ZombiU) can be played exclusively on the GamePad.
@abHS4L88 @macca366 Wait, ZombiU doesn't take full advantage of the GamePad? That's pretty funny, the title including "U" in it calls attention to the fact that the game was designed for a system that it doesn't fully take advantage off. They must have signed some kind of deal to go exclusive with Nintendo? It's a shame the game has gotten mostly bad reviews, I thought the concept sounded really great.
@alrepairs @eyehategod420 @abHS4L88 @macca366
Sorry to hear that mate I loved zombiU currently on my survivor mode play through failed twice both times around the tower of London.
the Bat gets a bit tedious at times but the use of the screen was one of the ups for me not a downer.
I also like AC3 and that plays great also great use of the screen when playing on the TV does not distract from the main game but the horse whistle and mini map are great in a pinch but im lucky enough to have my bed room above the front lounge :) so gamepad remote play is possible from the comfort of my warm bed :D and AC3 runs very well either way
1 Like @eyehategod420 @abHS4L88 @macca366 Actually, it's the opposite.
Zombi U ABUSES the gamepad :(. I have the game and ended it to justify my purchase, but it's really lame.
Wii U Gamepad can be used for creative, enjoyable experiences, but when it forces you to use the gamepad when it "isn't" necessary such as to dragging items when you're in the middle of a scary horde, or tapping a manhole 7 times to open it...then the experience becomes ridiculous and abusive lol.
Zombi U is what we don't want the gamepad being used for...gimmicky stuff. That's not to say it defeats the purpose of the gamepad though, as it is awesome to watch Netflix, browse Miiverse, play Black Ops 2 and Tekken Tag 2 in the presence of my own bed or toilet while Bro is over to play PS3, swapping for Deathmatch with 2 different games LOL.
Fun as hell stuff can be experienced on it. If you're forever alone though...perhaps not.
6 Like nintendo might not be the king of the hill, but it is definitely the most innovative.
Let's see, this year alone (in the US at least), they released Xenoblade, Paper Mario Sticker Star, 2 New Super Mario Bros. titles, NintendoLand, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Kirby's Dream Collector's Edition, Crashmo, and next year will kick off with Luigi's Mansion 2, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Fire Emblem, Pikmin 3, with, most likely, a bunch of new gaming announcements coming during E3.
Also let's take a look at the differences between the Wii U and Wii version of New Super Mario Bros U. The Wii U version introduces a 5th player, allowing for Boost mode, the world map returns with branching paths and a bevy of secrets to discover, challenge mode has been introduced, offering a wide variety of difficult to beat challenges.
I don't know about you, but that hardly sounds like "minor gameplay changes" Sure the overall formula is still the same but the overall game has been vastly improved and expanded upon. Also you're looking at the one line of Super Mario Bros game that has seen the least amount of changes. Care to explain to me how little the differences between Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, 3 and World are? How about between Super Mario Land 1 & 2? I hope you don't think Super Mario 64, Sunshine and Galaxy are barely different from each other.
So how have the gameplay mechanics of Call of Duty been changed up since Modern Warfare? How has the setting dramatically changed? The main Mario franchises have seen obvious changes between each entry and for the most part, giving each entry their own identity. Anyone still care about Call of Duty Modern Warfare? Not really, people still care about Super Mario World, 64, and Galaxy? Hell yeah.
I'm talking about SUPER Mario, you know, the platform game that revolutionized modern gaming and the game that Mario is best known for. That franchise alone doesn't even have 30 distinct entries and it's been around for nearly 3 decades.
@abHS4L88 If you call minor gameplay changes ( like the difference between the new super mario bros wiiu and the wii one) innovation than Call Of Duty is the most cutting edge gaming franchise of all time. Also NES alone has 21 games featuring Mario, don't even get me started...
They're going through a transitional period with their home console so obviously they're not going to be rolling out on the major 1st party games, but if you look at 2006-2011, Nintendo came out with 2-3 really amazing games along with several really good ones each year.
Yes, I agree, Mario's disgustingly milked, I mean like 4 New Super Mario Bros games over 6 years? Each entry on a different platform? 1 (in the Wii's case 2) 3D Mario game per platform also? Outrageous! And look Paper Mario and MarioKart! Each appear once per platform, how can Nintendo do such a thing???? What's worse, each entry introduces some new gameplay mechanic or changes things up in some way, that's not innovation! Innovation is simply picking up where the last game left off with a little bit of tweaks, nothing else.
Just so you know I'm being sarcastic in case that flew over your head.
Did you know that there are almost more Call of Duty games than there are Super Mario games?
@abHS4L88 That's pretty mediocre compared to what other consoles had to offer this year, not to mention you're talking about both the Wii and 3DS releases. That's not what i was talking about though, you know what i mean, the ongoing milking of the Mario franchise.. Seriously you call that innovation? They're worse than Activision. Eh whatever.. if you like to be fed up with the same bland, tasteless paste like you have been for the last 20 years, who am i to say otherwise...
2 Like I love how a simple article showing prototypes of a controller turns into a bunch of... people basically fighting about which Gaming Company is better and why Nintendo's ideas are so "terrible".
Good thing it's only the prototype. Then again I'm not going buy one anyway, so um, yeah....
1 Like Seems like another pointless trend if you ask me, I'd rather use a regular controller (or more so a keyboard and mouse) to play games.
And as soon as I saw that picture. what instantly came to mind was "you gotta be ****ing kidding me," sorry, but it looks that ridiculous.
4 Like @SuperYeti22 you would rather use a regular controller? Which means you have no idea what a regular controller is. The WiiU gamepad has the same digital and analog operability of a Xbox360 and PS3 controller, BlackOPS 2 plays the same with the gamepad as it does with what you call a regular controller. Do not negatively comment on a product until you have given it a go.
@DriedMoss @SuperYeti22 Given it a go - I still prefer a regular controller. System should come with one packed in (they sell them, so why not).
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