Wii U has no games to support two controllers at launch

By: Moses Abaortae

  |   September 17th, 2012   |  

Uncategorized

Nintendo executive explains reason for not offering Wii U controllers separately in stores but explains that gamers can expect dual-controller supported games to be available next year.

The Nintendo Wii U has split gamers and critics right down the middle and many still don’t know what to make of it. The dual screen concept is something that even Nintendo admits will be something that consumers will need some getting used to.

At the same time, there was no killer app that stood out for gamers, however, it does have a number of interesting titles, including the likes of ZombiU and NintendoLand. Bayonetta 2, Mass Effect 3, Assassin’s Creed 3 and Batman: Arkham City will also entice the core gaming segment as well while FIFA 13 is sure to turn the heads of footy fans.

However, none of those game support two players on the same console, which makes purchasing a second controller, at the moment, redundant. In fact, the Wii U controllers are not being offered separately either. If a gamers wants to purchase a second controller the only way he can do so is by contacting customer support.

Then there is the problem of the Wii U controller’s price, which is well over $100. Put all of these factors together and there seem to be plenty of barriers to entry for the controller reaching the market and being demanded by gamers.

Nintendo themselves admitted that the Wii U’s “launch window is all going to be single-GamePad.” Before adding, “The dual-GamePad functionality, we expect to start seeing that in games sometime next year.”

The manufacturer was also rather blunt and honest as to why they were not offering the sale of second controller when they said, “Our feeling is, we’re not going to sell another GamePad if you don’t have something to use it with. We’ll make that available as an additional accessory when there’s content to support it.”

Not bad Nintendo, not bad at all, however it does little to remove some of the doubt as to whether or not the console will prove to be a hit among gamers especially with so many questions being asked. However, if anyone knows how to pull an elephant out of a hat its Nintendo and one can expect the manufacturer to have a few surprises up its sleeve.

All the news surrounding the Wii U will have to have added pressure on Sony and Microsoft to speed up their announcement of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox 720, or expose themselves to the risk of falling behind Nintendo in the next generation console race.

A number of rumours surrounding both consoles have hit the internet in recent weeks yet none have been confirmed by either manufacturer.