Wii U currently only supports one WiiPad

@PointlessPuppies

My thoughts exactly. That would've been a nice little tidbit to know during the conference.

so does this mean they intend to keep the main controller the Wii remote for the Wii U games or what? I'm rather confused. If that is the case, I can easily cross this system off my want list.

@PointlessPuppies
But also imagine what the graphics would have to be like to output 2-4 seperate images. It would probably be more like 3ds/gamecube graphics if it had to do 4.

@PointlessPuppies I totally agree. Funny how that wasn't mentioned at the Conference at all. I'm sure that would have took the wind out of their sails will quick.

@PointlessPuppies

Nintendo releases a new console with updated graphics, a new innovative technology/controller, and a game lineup that seems to cater to both regular and casual gamers (with more emphasis on regular gamers than before) and people complain.

Microsoft or Sony release a new console with only updated graphics and more of the same games and people think it's amazing.

*sigh*

@beano311

Nintendo haters are gonna hate. They can't help it, Its in their DNA.

@beano311 You're missing the point here, bud. Many people prefer not to blindly follow a flawed leader, and are more than willing to call out the leader on its bullcrap.

Be real with yourself; is it a good idea to not only support one controller, but to also force users to purchase inferior (and in the case of the 3DS, expensive) controllers that do not give you the full experience?

Don't get me wrong, I love Nintendo to death; but even diehards like me have to realize that Nintendo isn't perfect.

@Silent Intent
"Many people prefer not to blindly follow a flawed leader, and are more than willing to call out the leader on its bullcrap."

Tell that to *any* Apple fan...

And I'm pretty sure that you're missing the point that you can still use the WiiPad plus four other Wii Remotes as controllers. Also, what does purchasing a 3DS have to do with anything? It's not a replacement for the WiiPad.

@PointlessPuppies

You guys are hysterical. Last gen Nintendo focused on everyone in the family playing and friends coming over to sit on your couch. Only the "hardcore" told them, "Go f*ck yourselves, we play online now." So Nintendo said, "Okay, we'll make online play a focus and you can use your existing controllers if more than one person wants to play in the same house." And now you guys that had no intention of buying one in the first place want to cry about that.

Am I bummed about only one Wii U controller? Sure. But let's be real, it would probably just sit there. Now I can direct the complicated part of setting up a game, and my wife and little boy can use the far simpler wii remote or classic controller. I'll play with friends online. And I don't get the "my kids will fight over it" complaint. How about disciplining your kids and teaching them to share? Or is that Nintendo's responsibility, too?

@NintenWIN

Vita doesn't have anything yet. Remember how many games worked with Remote Play?

@A Sandwich
It is a disappointment because people's minds were swirling with ideas of what you could do w/ multiple pads.

But when that washes away, you're left with an HD wii, with a cool new peripheral for single player and unique new multiplayer experiences, and (supposedly) improved online. If the possibility of using multi-pads never came up, I'm pretty sure people would be more impressed. I mean, how many revolutions can you have?

And anyone complaining about having to use wii-motes or not being able to play multiplayer never used a classic controller. I look at this pad as merely a peripheral that is better than the balance board. And for what its worth, I never had problems with fun multiplayer experiences with people taking turns with the balance board.

@beano311
i want more of the same game with more amazing graphics... not a camera, not a waggle stick.. not motion controls, not a screen controller... i want GAMES THAT ARE GOOD ... thats the bottom line give me a game that doesnt require these stupid accessories

This is from the Iwata Asks (which I think is a good read for anyone to know more about the designers intentions with Wii U).
http://e3.nintendo.com/iwataasks/

Iwata: Now, can you talk about how this new controller works together with the Wii Remote that we have been using until now?

Miyamoto: Sure. Actually, as I was making it I didn't have a whole lot of doubts in my mind that the Wii Remote would still be used as it was. I feel like the Wii Remote has pretty much become its ideal form with the Wii Remote Plus. [...]

Miyamoto: And when I thought whether we really needed to require the purchase of something completely new, I felt that we could continue with this way to play for another while. [...]

Miyamoto: So when I think about it within the concept of bringing the Wii to a place that's further ahead, I think it's fine the way it is now aside from how we wanted to add an independent screen like with this new controller. The other thing was we wanted to make the switch to HD. But I had no hesitation in going that direction. Right now I'm planning that people can still be able to use their Wii Remote controllers that they already have, which means this time you now have five controllers to play with.

Iwata: You mean this new controller, and four Wii Remote Plus controllers for a total of five.

Miyamoto: Right. Five controllers. And we have people play in many combinations.

Iwata: When you play alone, you probably would be able to just play with the new controller, without having to play on the TV.

Miyamoto: I think so. We can make games that you play only in the palm of your hands even when something else is on the TV screen, and we can also make entertainment that requires both TV and the smaller screen in your hands. That is up to the designers to decide depending on the type of games they're making. The hardware itself has the capability so that games can be played both ways. [end transcript]

I think some developers plan to still use the regular Wii Remotes and use the Wii U for its HD qualities, moreso than its new controller (and I think Miyamoto understand this). Also, people saying there can be no local multiplayer anymore because there is only one tablet controller must not have seen the tech demos on display at E3.

@PointlessPuppies While very much a bummer, most gaming is a solo affair in terms of console to gamer ratio. The odd party game and game night not withstanding.

@Ospov

I thought this was implied by now.

The way they showed every game using one WiiPad and 3 WiiMotes was the first clue, then someone (ubisoft maybe?) had an interview where they said they were exploring ways to see if it would be possible to find a way to use two WiiPads at the same time.

@Poor Tom
Not only does it support all controllers on Wii, but did you ever stop think think that they might release a regular controller for the system too for the multiplayer?

@(Unverified)
This reminds me of at some point Nintendo I believe said they would have come out with motion controls sooner if it hadn't been for technological limitations, let alone they had to release Wii Motion Plus at a later time too. This feels like just another iteration of Nintendo pushing ideas that can't be backed up by current technology yet. They really need to wait if they want to be 'innovative'.

I can roll this over to the 3DS as well. Nintendo mentioned how they didn't want to use 3D on a home console yet, but if they were able to stream (at a lower resolution) or utilize the DS Download Play, they could have pushed some much needed extra potential into the 3DS to stand up against the Playstation Vita. Utilizing the touch screen just for game menus, maps, and so forth alone would require much less power. I could personally care less about playing full games without the need for a TV. If the system is limited to being used at home, then I'm already at home where my TV is.

I'm just disappointed that so far this new generation sounds like a dud. Limiting to only one new controller is a slap in the face to the people who still take the time to gather at eachother's places for some quality video gaming among friends rather than online. I would have rather had just an HD system and a standard controller than dangle a carrot-on-a-stick in front of a single player because I can really only see this new screen being of limited use. Maybe Nintendo will release a wireless classic controller or something similar as I still use my Gamecube Wavebirds whenever I can.

@Arizone
Wait go head-on against the concept of innovation. Sit around, wait and someone will come up with the idea you had but was sitting around waiting for the "right tech"

@beano311 What if my friends and I want to use the WiiPad and its simpler button presses to control our games, rather than using waggle controls? Or what if we don't feel like paying $250 for a device we only want to use as a controller? You see, its scenarios like these that make the Wii U a dealbreaker for some people...

I know that this is more of a technical situation than just flawed reasoning, but don't you think they should've thought of this BEFORE creating the console? I'm sure Nintendo knows how powerful their own system actually is, and they know where the console's strengths (and weaknesses) lie. But to totally defeat the purpose of local multiplayer for the WiiPad is a serious error in the execution of the console.

@PointlessPuppies So that every wii game household will purchase 1..Point blank period..reggie and nintendo raves so much about the wii being the leading console in sales, so their banking that at least half of them will purchase a wii-u controller at ( maybe ) $150 a pop...thats alot of bread for the big N.

@beano311

Other consoles just updated their graphics? You are just as big a fanboy as these other people are N haters. Microsoft introduced a great online system, an achievement system, ability to rent and purchase movies, downloadable games and movies, netflix instant watch, kinect, oh and HD graphics. Sony is pretty much the same with a blu-ray player. All of these things are pretty much a baseline for any system coming out now, including the Wii U. I have a Wii and it collects dust. Motion control is not 1 to 1 and still isn't with the Wii Motion Plus. The quality Wii games are do-overs of the games they've done in the past. They fooled me on that console, but they won't on this one.

@PointlessPuppies -- And Nintendo's stock drops 10% more.

Really, Nintendo?

@A Sandwich

Sandwich, thank you for your continuous defense of Nintendo; I know when I see half these comments just hating I just don't even bother responding.

I'm a fanboy of all the consoles, and I want them all to succeed, especially Nintendo, since without them I wouldn't have gotten into gaming. After the NES, the SNES, the N64, and the GC, I can forgive them for the Wii, hell, it even had some pretty awesome exclusives, not to mention a revolutionary way to play games. Haters can call it a gimmick all they want, but when its done right (see Metroid Prime 3) its amazing. I hope this time around more developers get on board.

@Poor Tom: Oh, I thought that ridiculous looking tablet was there new console.

Hm... so let me get this straight.. there is only one usable "controller/tablet/iPad/whatever" with the new system? The other players will have to use Wiimotes?? Isn't that like the poor sap who has to use that crappy Mario Kart Wheel that doesn't work worth a damn and guarentees that you'll loose no matter what?

This is looking like a total fail....

@A Sandwich
I've been gaming since the NES was released and I don't ever remember shoulder buttons, d-pads, triggers or analog sticks referred to as "gimmicks". Rumble? Yes.

Oh no watch out people, professional analyst thunderstuck has declared it a "total fail" already, Nintendo might as well stop trying now!

@kylecis
Kinect was only created after Wii's success with motion controls, and even then, Kinect is the weakest of the 3 (the most accurate being Move which just barely edges out Wii Motion Plus, where the Kinect has the longest delay and the most requirements). Kinect is also nothing new as the Eyetoy has existed for nearly a decade. Also it took 5 years for Microsoft to release it, so everyone interested in it had to go out and buy it. At least with Wii, their motion control came with the system.

Wii also has Netflix (and while not in HD, anyone who has used all 3 could clearly tell you its still better than the horrid Xbox 360 interface). Wii also has downloadable games, in fact, it has MORE than the 360. They may not be all new games, but it does have downloadable classics that still hold up well today.

Also, even though Wii Motion Plus isn't exactly 1:1, it's close enough with the tiniest delay. It's not 1:1 because games have limits

@Silent Intent

Classic Controller Pro

@PointlessPuppies (and everyone)

Look on the bright side... The system has at least 9 months more to fiddle with adding support for multiple WiiPads. If anyone knows Nintendo, I am sure they listen to all of their fans (may be they are reading these comments right now!) and will make using more than 1 WiiPad a reality.

As for me, these negative comments won't affect me in any way because I believe Nintendo is the father of innovation in the gaming industry. I also feel somehow that the Wii U will NOT let me down!

That's why I'm saving up my money for it since it was announced a few months ago. :P

@A Sandwich You're not going to be playing anything online on a Nintendo system and have it be an enjoyable experience.

@KaBob799 The grpahics would not matter for that. The processor would have to do a lot of work for the controllers alone.

@A Sandwich

They'll give you that, but don't come back here in two years when the screened controller catches on saying they invented that s**t. Online play and screened controllers, Dreamcast baby. Granted this is taking it to the next level.

And the online component of the Super Nintendo doesn't count, because I'm pretty sure that was third party.

@Deone

Speaking of Dreamcast, anyone remember VMU playcalling in NFL2K? Anyone remember the mini version of Virtua Tennis that showed up on the VMU that you could actually use to play (albeit with a little difficulty due to the low resolution) instead of looking at your TV? Anyone remember the minigames you got to download and bring with you? Those were all actually pretty cool features and I initially thought the WiiU controller was going to be a natural evolution of that, but this one controller per console business kind of throws that out the window.

For instance, Peter Moore alluded to personal playcalling in Madden on the controller, but what's the point if only ONE player gets to use this feature? Isn't that an unfair competitive advantage? "I'm going to use my personal screen to call my plays but I promise I won't look at the play you're calling on the TV in front of me."

You can't marginalize. This one controller per console deal is a HUGE negative.

@beano311

That controller is innovative, how exactly? it's a modern version of the Sega Dreamcast's controller, with a webcam, and motion controls. Most all of the memory cards had miniature screens in them which peeked through a window in a controller, and could be used by developers in games. All Nintendo really did was make it a bigger, brighter color LCD.

Sounds to me Nintendo's doing the updated hardware with better graphics thing too.

@beano311 Nintendo is releasing a new console where the main controller is still the Wiimote for all but one person in the room (I do a fair amount of same room multiplayer). So not only are we not getting multiple wii pads, we aren't getting a new controller, at all. I hate using the wii mote as anything but a pointer and I am not a fan of the classic controller.

I had a ton of ideas for how the wii pad would make same multiplayer more fun than it is on the 360 (ok, it's my turn, don't look at the TV!), but none of those ideas involved having to pass the remote around.

@KiraXD

Welp, then you might want to steer clear of 360 and its Kinect focus and PS3 with it's Move being shoved down throats.

@A Sandwich

"I don't get the "my kids will fight over it" complaint. How about disciplining your kids and teaching them to share? Or is that Nintendo's responsibility, too?"

I think thats an unnecessary cheap shot. The reason you don't get the complaint is because you aren't a father of two 9 year olds. But, I guess it's just easier to call anyone a bad parent who doesn't discipline their kids. Instead of you know ... seeing it as a valid criticism that the system can only use 1 WiPad controller at a time just take cheap shots. Heaven forbid you actually criticize Nintendo.

@beano311 Controllers do not make the system. And the primary feature I look for in a controller is ergonomics. The 360 tops all controllers I have ever used in the past... from PC controllers to the original xbox to the ps3. This new screen controller by Nintendo is a gimmick. It can never be used in real gaming as a square controller is very difficult to use. I had a Harmony 1000 Universal remote which was basically the same design, and it was a nightmare to use that I sold it.

@PointlessPuppies

This whole article is BS, I was at E3 and the New Super Mario Bros Mii demo was running two pad controllers on Tuesday before they changed the setup. It is not only "possible," it's working now. I think Miyamoto was just saying that they don't plan to emphasize it, and the rest was lost in translation.

@Poor Tom

Yeah, especially after hearing that this console will not support gamecube controllers.
Think about the new Smash Brothers. One person would get to use this hugeass tablet, and the others would be stuck with the bullshit wiimote & nunchuk combo.

@The Aquacharger Wouldn't rule out a 3DS to Wiiu link at some point tbh.

@The Aquacharger

Totally Fail to not think a year ahead and make the 3ds the controller. The 3ds has the same resolution as new wiipad.

Total fail

@NintenFAIL

I wouldn't want to buy 3 $250 controllers though...

@LockeDaemonfire
they could include a wii pad but the 3ds could be second controller.

@NaeemTHM I've been playing nintendo since the NES, going thru all home consoles and portables (except for virtual boy...), and for the first time I have -39428342 interest on a new Nintendo hardware (srsly, i'm not counting virtual boy...)

): I want to keep supporting nintendo but this console has a long way to convince me

@DarkSonata
I was just like you, old chap.
Nintendo was in my blood, but the Wii changed all that. Sadly the Wii U has done little to reignite my support.

@NaeemTHM
Was it just me, or did I hear someone on stage comment on how cool it would be to "secretly" enter football plays using the pad? Not many secrets to keep when you're the only one with a controller...