We asked a company spokesperson at the firm's VIP stand at E3 2011 in Los Angeles today about the price of each item. He told us that there would only be one bundled RRP, adding: "Both the controller and the console will be sold as one unit. You won't be able to buy the controller alone."

The rep also told us that multiplayer games being created for the system are only being designed to accomodate one tablet-style controller, whilst other players will need to use a Wiimote. It is currently unknown whether it is possible to sync more than one of the new controllers to a single Wii U.

Nintendo showed off Wii U and its revolutionary new controller for the first time at E3 this morning. Check out our first impressions of the device through here.

As we revealed the night before the conference, it offers motion control, touch sensitivity, dual thumb sticks, left and right triggers and a huge, iPad-challenging screen. 

Developers such as EA Sports, Gearbox, Ubisoft and Namco have pledged to bring traditionally 'hardcore' games to the device.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/306087/news/wii-u-console-and-controller-wont-be-sold-separately/

did the "Wii U" just lose one of it's most intriguing features? 

Well at least I won't have to buy four of those giant controllers!

Makes sense, imagine if a soccer mom goes to Gamespot to buy Little Jimmy a WiiU and when the clerk asks her if she needs any extra accessories to go with her new purchase she sees that U$100 controller price tag? Easiest way to run your customer to the PS3 or X360 aisle!

If this is true, and I hope to god it's not, then the WiiPad will be the first Nintendo console I don't own.

If they did, I wonder how much they would retail for?

It does make sense all things considered, and theres still plenty of non traditional multiplayer options.


but it was unexpected

I wondered why the multi-player slides all had wii motes in them and one pad....

It would almost have to be a bare minimum of $99.  I'm still curious as to what the release price of this console will be...it just worries me what might happen if Nintendo releases an expensive console.

So when Dad walks into the room to watch his sports game and the kids playing multiplayer New Super Mario Brothers switch to the Tablet..

.. How does that work?

so much for more crystal chronicles, or four-swords games...
Why wasn't this just released as an add-on for the Wii again??