Nintendo think-tank Shigeru Miyamoto has confirmed a CVG report that Wii U players will only be able to use one touch screen controller per system.
Instead additional players will have to use Wii Motion Plus controllers. That's at least for now anyway, with Nintendo's plans on how two players will interact on the Wii U apparently not set in stone.
"Our basic premise is that you can use one with a system," he said. "If we got to an idea of having multiple (controllers) it might be just more convenient for people to use their Nintendo 3DS and have a way to connect that.
"That being said, we are doing research about if someone brings their controller to their friends house and they want to play together on Wii U to whether or not something like that would be possible."
The potential sticking point for two-player competition was revealed yesterday when we queried a Nintendo rep about buying a second Wii U controller and were told it wasn't an option.
Comments
48 comments so far...
shiwayb on 9 Jun '11 said:
I guess its all about the power of the Wii U, can it stream all that data to 2 players? 4 players? 1 Million Players?
joycey on 9 Jun '11 said:
You could see this coming a mile away. Half, if not more of the cost is gonna be the controller. Normal controllers will be used for 2nd/3rd players etc.
Bright-Light on 9 Jun '11 said:
This is stupid. So if you want to have two plaeyrs, only one can have the screen on the pad enjoyment unless they also buy a DS????
gothchild on 9 Jun '11 said:
I'm not fundamentally opposed to this, it just all sounds like a confused strategy.
Plus, if we're looking at using Wii remote with MotionPlus... I think Nintendo are vastly overestimating the adoption of motionplus by consumer.
nicostorm on 9 Jun '11 said:
That kind of makes a farce of the whole idea of seeing information on the controller rather than on the screen to keep it from other players/people. Cannot wait to see how much replacements are gonna be!
kirankara on 9 Jun '11 said:
This is fine for one player and for online gaming, but what about playing FIFA with a friend around your house or a co op game in an fps?
Using a wii Plus remote for FIFA would be awful , the one player would be only able to take advantage of the wiiU controller advantages.
They really havent thought this one through have they ??
dangermouseuk78 on 9 Jun '11 said:
also as for the hardcore games as they say multiplayer tends to be more against people online than local, so guess more than one of those controllers isnt need. As well as the fact id sure that you can only play one game at a time so its not gonna be streaming different games to different controllers.
Good to see use of the older controllers tho less expensive and i have read many places they are looking into use more than one of the new controllers. id say bit bulky to have several lying around.
But in General for the Core Gamers who play there friends online you only need one controller these days casual market party games etc are the main local play domain these days and Wiimotes would serve that purpose well for now i should think.
originalbadboy on 9 Jun '11 said:
Not really surprising ... it was always going to be the case.
If the controllers cost £100 each your not going to get people putting down money for the console a 3 x controllers as well , that would be too expensive .. So this was always going to happen.
Personally it doesnt bother me .. firstly it has already been shown that there are plenty of possibilites for muliple players regarding combination of wii remotes and the main controller. Secondly the Wii U isnt always going to be about local MP (thank god) quite a lot of the time one person is playing the game, so it really doesn't matter in the end.
What I would like to see in the box, is a main controller, and wii remote and a classic controller. That way at least you have the choice if you want to use the new controller or not.
WHERESMYMONKEY on 9 Jun '11 said:
gues you've never played PES on the wii then mate. Its far better than a normal controller .
ste hicky on 9 Jun '11 said:
here's one of the very first ever in game shots from the format: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqwXPyxMRug/TfDSzJGS4XI/AAAAAAAAASM/Q_CbNHReRQs/s1600/500x_killer_freaks_screenshot_720_wip_004__epic_boss_1200.jpg
It's from ubisoft's conference at e3. i've got the trailer and a few more screens, thought i'd share one of the shots with you all.
BTW, pro evo on the wii is the only footie game on earth worth playing. the rest are s**t.
nicostorm on 9 Jun '11 said:
Thats because PES has been terrible since the days of the PS2 with a normal controller, PES Wii is fun enough, but nothing like playing a good footy game with proper controls.
ste hicky on 9 Jun '11 said:
it smokes normal controls hands down. anyone who's got their head around the change knows that.
it's too limited on a normal controller and feels gimped after the playmaker style imo.
pro evo is still excellent, just not on the hd systems unfortunately.
Eclipse Dj on 9 Jun '11 said:
Actually using a Wii Remote for a football game can work very well, just see PES on Wii. Though I see your concern and I guess it would mean the second player would have to use a Classic Pro Controller
http://www.tecnoupdate.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/importadas/52082m.jpg
Maybe Nintendo would do well to release a Wii U specific version that would work as a pad in it's own right (ie: not attached to a Wii Remote) would be rechargeable via USB/miniUSB and would include a rumble/force feedback and possibly gyroscope. Though most people play online now anyway there aren't many splitscreen/co-op games out there on PS3/360, so it may not be that big a deal tbh.
Gaseous Snake on 9 Jun '11 said:
This won't work; what if you want to play split-screen on a shooter for example? You'll need multiple controllers. And in a household where there's just the one console, and all the family want a game of COD, then they can't. If they do this, they'll be completely subverting the purpose of the Wii U as the family console.
Of course, given the price that the controllers will be at, you couldn't buy them anyway, which is why I don't like the entire concept of the controller. It's trying to do everything, and in doing so, it is failing everything. Whatever they were thinking when they came up with the concept, they were concentrating on marketing and gimmicks, rather than functionality. You can't be looking at two screens at once, you can't be using a standard controller and a tablet at once, and you certainly can't have a controller which looks to cost at least £100.
And that is why this console will fall flat on its arse at the first hurdle; because they're trying to look innovative, but the reason Microsoft and Sony have stuck with the regular design is it works. Sure, there are some things which could be improved (the 360's D-pad, the Dualshock's size), but that doesn't mean they need an entire rethink.
There is such a thing as too much; and I think Nintendo has crossed that line. I've nothing against Nintendo, but their focus shifted from the core market, and now they're trying to break back in whilst keeping their hold in the casual market; from the looks of things though, they're about to lose their grip on both.
Well, I've said my piece. Agree, disagree, I don't care; I'm hungry and I want a sandwich. Sayonara, folks.
Robzy on 9 Jun '11 said:
So is this proof the screen will be used for pointless junk and gimmicks? Cause otherwise 3 out of 4 players won't get the full "experience" or be able to play at all if any game requires the use of the screen.
I think Nintendo are trying to hard to be unique and this generation (3DS included) they've pushed things to far to the point that they aren't really practical. (3DS causes me, and I'm sure others, headaches. And since the 3D effect only works with a limited angle it isn't really suited for portable gaming is it?)
Eclipse Dj on 9 Jun '11 said:
*FIXED*
http://c552576.r76.cf2.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/WiiRemotePlus.jpghttp://www.electricpig.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/classic_pro_photo.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ear6gzcZSE/Te5-cvy56vI/AAAAAAABPpU/JjqZdd4YlAI/s400/2.jpg
yerbluesjohn on 9 Jun '11 said:
Second Classic Controller Pro for split screen. Tablet features only used for SP and online. End of problem.
KesMonkey on 9 Jun '11 said:
This is exactly what I was going to say.
Malmo on 9 Jun '11 said:
Seriously? this is getting stupid, considering the tech is gonna be pretty dated by the time its released (realistically its not gonna be that much better than the ps3) the key thing it really has going for it is the controller. Except most of the things you do with it can be done with already in one shape or another, and they've completely alienated the multiplayer market which is where the wii had its greatest success. In order to play multiplayer on the wii u everyones gonna be using wii remotes, classic controllers, and now their 3DS. Its like they've developed a single player only system and just tacked on a multiplayer element by just saying 'use something else'. It hardly provides a great experience when only the one player can really take advantage of the consoles unique strength, and it hardly makes it fair in competitive multiplayer as one controller is likely to be more suitable than another.
kirankara on 9 Jun '11 said:
I agree pes wii was in many ways better than the console versions at time, but it's still a totally different experience to the hd versions, and not one everyone likes. FIFA would also have to adopt a similar style to be used with motion plus, and whilst I accept majority of gaming is done online these days and local co op isn't so prominent , it's still a factor that should be accommodated . Also if they go the root of using classic controller, then they would have to integrate rumble features and extra triggers , sticks etc and make them wireless . Furthermore , this still circumnavigates the importance of the controller they are promoting, and means that local mp/co op have to not use these features or one has use of them and the rest don't .
I genuinely like some of ideas they've come up with, and want one, but hope they've got some ideas to deal with these issues, or they will alienate the core they claim they trying to win back.
MattyR95 on 9 Jun '11 said:
Absolute fail.
The_Jaster on 9 Jun '11 said:
Yup, this.
Also like I've said elsewhere on this subject say your playing a local 4 player game (or 5 which is possible now) there is no need for one person to hog the new controller you could easily share it or play a form of winner stays on.
No doubt its odd to hear but as others have said online MP is what most people play these days & to me this shows Nintendo are serious about online this time doesn't it? Plus as Nintendo themselves have said it isn't set it stone yet its still not out for a year so a lot of folk need to calm down just a little.
RandyChimp on 9 Jun '11 said:
Back on topic, I still don't see how this is appealing. I personally didn't like the wii, but I get why yuppie families with no social skills got into it, it was a gateway into gaming, something that they could share with their children, knocking down a boundry that seperates parents and youngsters in todays gaming society, but why do you need a controller with a screen? I've never thought to myself "Hmmm, what's happening on my expensive HD telly that I saved up for over a long period of time is all well and good, but I want to see what else is happening in this game, I wish I had an extra screen that could distract me!"
rbt2 on 9 Jun '11 said:
This sounds really selfish but I'm the only gaymer (in the village) in our house so I don't care.
jonbwfc on 9 Jun '11 said:
you might be able to use a 3DS? SHouldn't they actually know this stuff by now, if they've actually designed the hardware and the OS that runs on it?
Every new thing I hear about WiiU screams more and more that they've announced it way, way too early and really don't have much of an idea about what it actually is or what they wish it to do. They're taking suggestions as to basic functionality after they've announced it? WTF?
It's like those concept cars you see at motor shows that look like something from Mass Effect, then when they finally get to market end up just like a Ford Fiesta. Half of the really cool things they've said it's going to do, they're not going to be able to get working properly, and are going to be dropped for release or just never happen.
Jon
DSVIP on 9 Jun '11 said:
This is fail, and i dont want them to work on using 3DS either, as it too will require streaming, and is more expensive than a wiiU controller. I dont want them to use classic controller, it doesnt have trigger shoulder buttons or motion sensing, as well as no screen. I dont think wiiU controllers are that expensive, its just a controller with a screen that cant do anything without streaming from the wiiU console. There are other things i want them to do:
Weve been told you can only connect one wiiU controller, and cannot purchase it on its own, its probably integrated into the console and cannot be neutral. So far ,we know that multiplayer would be using wii remotes, but that could mean you can use nun chuck and classic controller too. Furthermore, they may release a contrller without a scren that CAN be purchased, for use in multiplayer games. This makes sense as only one controller can be streamed into, and the screen isnt compulsary for games, so screenless controller can still play single player. This is also good news because the screenless controlelr can be a proper controller rather than a bulky tablet, so it will suit a lot more players. And because you can connect one wiiU controller and 4 other ones without screens, that means 5 player: the screen is split 4 ways, and one player has a screen on his controller. This is possible as only one controller is still being streamed into. This also means 2 player doesnt have to be split screen at all.
Though the above is what i think everybody wants, and it will solve many issues, i still think it would be better to have multiple screen controllers, all of which can be streamed into at once, so that each player can now actually make use of 2 screens in multiplayer, to fulfill the capabilities of the console. Assuming now that 4 controllers can be streamed into at once, it will be 8 player max: 4 people can use their screen, and 4 people can use the 4 way split with the controller with no screens. So either this way or that, we definitely need to see a release of a screenless controller.
And what i want even more than that, is a fully portable controller which can take in the GC, wii and wiiU discs, so you can play it anywhere and play local multiplayer against other people. This is perfect, but one downside is that each player would need their own copy of the game, in order to play multiplayer from one disc, you would need to put it in the console and have it stream to everyone from there. Oh, and it should have its own online too.
Pls develop any one of these three technologies, and youre in for the win, i think it will convince people to spend a lot of money.
Price for the three controllers: Screen free: £30 screen: £70
Fully portable:£180 (would be more if the touch screen was multitouch, then youre looking at an ipad/psp2 here)
Personally i would try and get 1 fully portable, 3 screen ones and 1 screenless. Or maybe 2,2,1. Point is I will at least buy one of each.
Fiks1 on 9 Jun '11 said:
How does split screen then work? Wii U controller has more buttons doesn't it? It would ruin a few third party games if you can't use two shoulder buttons...
The_Jaster on 9 Jun '11 said:
people want to play with a normal controller then here ye go.
http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/screens/screenshot_256488_thumb_wide940.jpg
to see the full pic copy image location & paste into a new tab.
AJDarkstar on 9 Jun '11 said:
It would be nice to have your own screen in multi player, if the system can support it. Using a 3DS makes sense due to onboard RAM and the reduction in cost to the consumer if you already have one, but the smaller, lower-res screen and lack of second circle pad could be a problem for some games.
I think Nintendo showed this too early because of the internet leaks: it reeks of being very unfinished, especially considering it isn't due out until after the end of March next year. Hopefully they won't rush it out as with the 3DS and will have some decent launch games ready.
ricflair on 9 Jun '11 said:
That's exactly what I think happened. Although I've read some people saying it won't be out until Dec 2012 at the earliest. Not people in the know of course, just comments on here.
Although their E3 would've been very sparse if they'd not had this to show.
almanac2015 on 9 Jun '11 said:
Well, that looks like it could be fun.
For about 12 minutes.
The_Jaster on 9 Jun '11 said:
Guess there is no pleasing some folk eh?
almanac2015 on 9 Jun '11 said:
It's a limitation. Developers can come up with s**t loads of ways of making the different control methods work and who knows, maybe some will be successful. But it is a limitation nonetheless. The type of thing that could be done with one Wii Remote and one Wii-U controller could be done with any control scheme, so all it does is limit what can be done. You won't be able to make full use of the Wii-U controller in offline co-op, only come up with inventive ways to try to make use out of the limitation.
The_Jaster on 9 Jun '11 said:
Couldn't disagree more & so do a lot of developers interviews that I've seen.
GTCzeero on 9 Jun '11 said:
Obviously Nintendo's biggest concern is going to be advertising: they've got to decide whether it's Ant or Dec who's surplus to requirements... there can only be one, sadly.
almanac2015 on 9 Jun '11 said:
The Wii has sold s**tloads. Would be pretty f**king stupid for a developer to come out and say the Wii-U looks s**te. No doubt someone will come out and say it eventually, someone always does. But how is it not a limitation? Do you disagree that the same type of gameplay in the image you linked could be done with the Wii Remote or Classic Controller? Do you not think that standard co-op won't be able to make full use of the screen because it would give an advantage?
It forces developers to come up with different types of gameplay, which will be good for the minority of games.
The_Jaster on 9 Jun '11 said:
I thought the image I linked was pretty clear that the game is played (in one particular mode) with one person on the classic controller & someone else on the wiiU controller.
But I'm guessing you could easily play single player with either of those set ups but clearly the wiiU controller would be better depending on whatever features they want to implement.
almanac2015 on 9 Jun '11 said:
You just said it yourself, the Wii-U controller would be better. So if you were playing offline multiplayer for example, you couldn't take advantage of the Wii-U controller because the screen advantage would go to one person. :S
The_Jaster on 9 Jun '11 said:
I reckon offline multiplayer will be a totally new experience though as they have shown with some demos like the chase mii, so in another example for like say an FPS you could have 4 player split screen (they use remotes or ccp) they are your standard grunts while the person with the wii U controller takes up a totally different role like a General relaying commands etc.
So depending on the type of mode you could have a hot seat situation where the wiiU controller is passed about on a round to round basis.
also my "wiiU controller would be better" comment was for the single player aspect, as I said this is going to be a new offline multiplayer experience & I have to say I'm excited about it..............It does seem more suited to co-op though I'll give you that.
Plus they are still looking into syncing more than one wiiU controller to the system a year is long time so things could change yet.
Kl4do on 9 Jun '11 said:
Nintendo is set to fail this gen for g sake, 3ds suckls in comparison to vita and so does wiiu...
VIVA la VITA
MD1500 on 9 Jun '11 said:
Yep. This is what they mean by the name "Wii U".
"WE YOU". WE = MANY. YOU = 1. We don't have the new controller. You do. Simples.
I'm not sure if I'm completely sold on the idea yet, but Nintendo have been working on it for 3 years, so there must be some method in their madness.
infernoxXx on 9 Jun '11 said:
you guys forgot about this already?
http://cdn.static.gamesradar.com/images/mb/ ... _image.jpg
wwinterj on 9 Jun '11 said:
Not a shock and it doesn't matter to me. I'll be buying a classic controller for me Wii at some point and hope most Wii U games if not all will support it. I'd only use this tablet if playing 2 player games or I want a change. In other words when I do buy a Wii U(might be a year after it's out depending the price) I'll use the tablet as a second control pad most the time.
I only wish that Nintendo would sell the console with a classic controller for less the price of the one with this tablet. All I want is a HD Nintendo console with a normal pad.
fps_d0minat0r on 9 Jun '11 said:
it would be hilarious if one ps3 could stream a single game to 2 or more vita's.
oOo ZOMBIE oOo on 9 Jun '11 said:
well put!
liveswired on 9 Jun '11 said:
LOL
FANBOY BAIT!
Toninho deZoete on 10 Jun '11 said:
I think it depends in what way the Wii U controller will be implemented in the multiplayer. It's not so bad to use the contollers of the Wii. The same way that I don't mind using the Dualshock with every generation of Playstation.
But indeed it's kind of a letdown, honestly. It would also be great to use 4 Wii U controllers simultaniously in multiplayer.
Maybe things will change as Nintendo has got a year to get things right.
I am extremely excited about Wii U nonetheless.
Peace
Balladeer on 10 Jun '11 said:
This is flipping ridiculous. People have said that online has gone some of the way to making local multiplayer obsolete - well screw that! I want my four-in-a-room Mario Kart, goddamnit!