To shut off the screen, go to controller settings when you hit the home button. There's an option there to shut off the screen. It only works until you press a button though, so I'd use a different controller.
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Just used the Wii u gamepad for the first time
- Thread starter Skittles
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To shut off the screen, go to controller settings when you hit the home button. There's an option there to shut off the screen. It only works until you press a button though, so I'd use a different controller.
Azure Dream
Member
Time for me to roll out this picture again!
I think it feels fine/great.
But this really is just a GameCube controller stretched out. There's added weight in the middle, and it's more awkward to keep your arms separate like that, but pretty much all the game controls are in the same places relative to your hand, and many people swear by that controller.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
I find the controller very comfortable for what it is.
Sure, I get the eventual handcramping but I play most of my games for the system Off Tv and have next to no issues at all.
Sure, I get the eventual handcramping but I play most of my games for the system Off Tv and have next to no issues at all.
Why would this be a feature? You still have to get up to remove the disc from the tray....
Japanmanx3
Member
Found it way more comfortable that I imagined it would be. Still need to try a pro controller at some point but I like the gamepad.
legacyzero
Banned
My only complaint is the right stick. Fucks the whole right side of the controller up for me. Especially the face buttons.
LegendofLex
Member
I have only a handful of complaints:
- Reds don't look very good on the GamePad screen. I don't really notice during gameplay, but in menus and during cutscenes when you're just passively looking at the screen it can sometimes be terribly obvious.
- You can't boot directly to the Wii Menu if you've activated the quick-start menu.
- You can't bookmark items for the quick-start menu.
- No analog triggers means Off-TV GameCube VC will likely never be a reality.
Other than that, it's probably my favorite controller currently. I don't think I'll ever buy a version of the few multiplats that hit Wii U on another platform since I won't be able to use its features.
As far as feel goes, I actually have more issues with the Pro Controller:
- I don't like the feel of the triggers. While I use the triggers exclusively on the GamePad for MK8, I use the shoulder buttons for some reason on the Pro Controller. I just can't use them comfortably over a long period of time.
- The D-pad is not very high-quality. When pushing left or right I find it often also slips to up or down at the same time. This really throws me off, especially in VC games that require directional precision (like LoZ on NES). Ruins what could have otherwise been a great all-purpose controller for playing most games on Wii U.
- Reds don't look very good on the GamePad screen. I don't really notice during gameplay, but in menus and during cutscenes when you're just passively looking at the screen it can sometimes be terribly obvious.
- You can't boot directly to the Wii Menu if you've activated the quick-start menu.
- You can't bookmark items for the quick-start menu.
- No analog triggers means Off-TV GameCube VC will likely never be a reality.
Other than that, it's probably my favorite controller currently. I don't think I'll ever buy a version of the few multiplats that hit Wii U on another platform since I won't be able to use its features.
As far as feel goes, I actually have more issues with the Pro Controller:
- I don't like the feel of the triggers. While I use the triggers exclusively on the GamePad for MK8, I use the shoulder buttons for some reason on the Pro Controller. I just can't use them comfortably over a long period of time.
- The D-pad is not very high-quality. When pushing left or right I find it often also slips to up or down at the same time. This really throws me off, especially in VC games that require directional precision (like LoZ on NES). Ruins what could have otherwise been a great all-purpose controller for playing most games on Wii U.
Pro from Dover
Member
I like it just fine. My 6 year old is fine with it too.
Nowhere Man
Member
Why wouldn't it be a feature? My PS3 can do it. 360 can do it (not sure about PS4 and XBone, I would assume they can). Every DVD player I've owned can do it. I even used to eject VHS tapes with the remote by pressing the record button (on tapes with the recording tab removed). It's more convenient than pressing the button on the console (especially the dark/low light) and a pretty standard feature for disc drives.
Like the mute button on every TV remote ever.
DJ_Lae
Member
I don't mind the gamepad, I guess. I wish the triggers were analog, but I don't plan on playing any actual racing game on the system so it's not a huge loss I guess.
The buttons feel spongy, though. I have very little confidence they'll hold up a couple years from now, especially after having a Pro Controller go to shit on me already (under warranty, at least).
Reds on that thing remind me of playing older games via composite cables instead of component. They have horrible crawling edges. I understand it's due to the way compression works, but man it makes red look terrible. And I'm colourblind in just the right way that it should be less noticeable to me, so it must be worse for everyone else.
The buttons feel spongy, though. I have very little confidence they'll hold up a couple years from now, especially after having a Pro Controller go to shit on me already (under warranty, at least).
Reds on that thing remind me of playing older games via composite cables instead of component. They have horrible crawling edges. I understand it's due to the way compression works, but man it makes red look terrible. And I'm colourblind in just the right way that it should be less noticeable to me, so it must be worse for everyone else.
flatearthpandas
Member
Bummer. I quite like it, just need a better battery.
Storm Raider
Banned
OP completely took me by surprise. I found it incredible nice to hold, my favorite 'controller' I think I have ever held next to the pro controller.
ChrisInCali
Member
I hate the gamepad. The distance between the thumb sticks, and their looseness will never be something I get use to. The battery life is absurd. I hate the size of it in general and how it looks so cheap like a fisher price tablet. I wish Nintendo would just patch everything to make the pro controller the default.
Again, it serves literally no function when you have to go to the system to retrieve the disk.Why wouldn't it be a feature? My PS3 can do it. 360 can do it (not sure about PS4 and XBone, I would assume they can). Every DVD player I've owned can do it. I even used to eject VHS tapes with the remote by pressing the record button (on tapes with the recording tab removed). It's more convenient than pressing the button on the console (especially the dark/low light) and a pretty standard feature for disc drives.
Like the mute button on every TV remote ever.
Sir Alemeth
Member
Definitely needs a revision. It's too heavy.
PhilipDoesMatter
Member
The best so far. Feels like a dream.
loaf of bread
Member
Its terrible for aiming.
Agreed on all counts. I don't even use the gamepad now unless a particular game forces me to. The pro controllers are all around excellent though. Very comfortable, and the battery life seems to last weeks on a single charge.
Solidsoul
Banned
I'm with you man, not one damn thing feels good about that controller. In my short Wii U ownership i used only the pro controller, and situations that mandated the Gamepad, i skipped/didn't play.
Nowhere Man
Member
I just said the function it serves, and there's no justification for not having it. I always remote eject on my PS3. I'm not talking about an actual button on the thing, just a simple addition to the gamepad UI.
It's not a big deal, just a small annoyance.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
Chmpocalypse
Blizzard
Definitely not cost-effective to remodel it at this point. Doesn't make sense to drop it now either, even though it's holding the system back (along with other things), as the console itself has maybe two years of struggle left before Nintendo's next attempt.
Should be a valuable learning experience, though, if they analyze why the market isn't interested in the gamepad. I hope they do.
You just said you want it because of reasons. Darkness is idiotic if the eject button has a persistent LED.
Chmpocalypse
Blizzard
Digital triggers :
I thought I was alone in this world. Nice to know there's at least one other out there.
lonedigitalwolf
Banned
That is the thing that keeps me from getting a Wii U.
Chmpocalypse
Blizzard
This is why the 360 controller is so good. Personally, the best ever made.
LiveFromKyoto
Member
I quite like it, I was shocked at how comfortable it was when I first picked it up.
Pro controller is the way to go though. That & the PS4 controller are probably the best ever, imo.
Pro controller is the way to go though. That & the PS4 controller are probably the best ever, imo.
PreyingShark
Member
Got my Pro controller in the mail today. Haven't gotten to use it yet, but I will say that it feels awesome in my hands. The GamePad is good but it's a bit awkward at times.
Nowhere Man
Member
I was was unaware this was a contentious topic. I didn't mean to rustle anyone's jimmies.
Carry on.
So I just wanted to add something to the discussion that may or may be of value to some folks.
You can use the game pad as a universal remote.
So one of the things I really like is just picking up the pad, turning the tv on and then turning on the U, all with one controller in the same place. I can then put the tv on whatever input or channel I want and in the background start the U up and pick a game etc.
I find this a small but useful thing with the gamepad
You can use the game pad as a universal remote.
So one of the things I really like is just picking up the pad, turning the tv on and then turning on the U, all with one controller in the same place. I can then put the tv on whatever input or channel I want and in the background start the U up and pick a game etc.
I find this a small but useful thing with the gamepad
I don't understand this at all.
Mengy
wishes it were bannable to say mean things about Marvel
Yep, I hate the gamepad, and it's one of the reasons why I haven't bought a Wii-U yet. If they sold a package that came with the pro controller and didn't include the gamepad so I didn't have to pay for it I'd strongly considering buying it immediately. However, the gamepad is integral and you have to get it, and I really just don't want to pay for something I don't want.
The pro controller should have been standard and the gamepad optional IMHO. But I know my opinion is not the majority here...
Gotdatmoney
Member
It's not a bad as it looks imo.
I share your woes. I too bought the
WiiU pro controller which doesn't compromise comfort or battery life for a second screen.
Nintendo (or should I say Miyamoto?) overestimated the usefulness of this controller and it basically unused in their flagship games.
Nintendo has also understimated the importance of the internet and having enough power under the hood to satisfy devs and users, in my humble opinion.
(pricy! remember when gamepads cost $30? Get off my lawn!..)
Nintendo (or should I say Miyamoto?) overestimated the usefulness of this controller and it basically unused in their flagship games.
Nintendo has also understimated the importance of the internet and having enough power under the hood to satisfy devs and users, in my humble opinion.
LoveCake
Member
The first time i played the WiiU at a GAME UK lock-in (where Nintendo reps turned up & chatted about the WiiU & had some consoles & games to play when the shop was shut out of hours) The controller felt ok, it did feel a bit large but after a couple of go's it wasn't that bad, when i got a WiiU it did take a bit getting used to, but having to use the touch screen did sort of take away some of the issues, but going back to the the X360 pad, it felt tiny, but the more i used the WiiU pad the nicer it became to use.
I have no issue swapping from, WiiU to WiiU pro to X360 to PS4, the only controller i just cannot get on with is the PS3 one, it's just nasty.
There are some games that really don't work with the WiiU game pad & the Pro pad is the far better option, unless you have to poke at the touch screen then always use the Pro pad.
I have no issue swapping from, WiiU to WiiU pro to X360 to PS4, the only controller i just cannot get on with is the PS3 one, it's just nasty.
There are some games that really don't work with the WiiU game pad & the Pro pad is the far better option, unless you have to poke at the touch screen then always use the Pro pad.
I don't get this at all.
Duxxy3
Member
Hopefully by the time I actually get the console (at or near the end of the generation) the gamepad will be completely optional. Have disliked the tablet controller since the first minute I saw it.
I strongly prefer digital triggers for shooters.
I strongly prefer digital triggers for shooters.
First time I've ever heard the gamepad described as heavy. It was lighter than I was expecting it to be, actually.
Davey Cakes
Member
I don't know how anyone can like the dual shock, myself.
Every time I hold one, I'm disgusted.
The Gamepad isn't bad. Comfortable enough considering the size. Doesn't beat out Nintendo's Classic Controller line, though.
I guess if you are used to playing on a DualShock - where the analog sticks are so close together that your thumbs clash - then the distance of the Wii U's analog sticks will seem odd.