RolStoppable said:
Regarding the Eurogamer rumor, the purpose of the detachable controller parts is to give the player a controller for home use, because the screen part (which contains CPU, GPU etc.) goes in a dock. The detached controller parts could theoretically be connected to the sides of a "bridge" part to provide better ergonomy. Benefits of detachable parts are that some games could use custom parts that only worked with such specific games, and Nintendo could distance themselves from the Wii U concept. If the hybrid device sent pictures to the TV and didn't have detachable parts, then players would essentially hold another Wii U Gamepad in their hands when playing at home. But since that concept was a massive flop, it would make sense for Nintendo to make the device work in a way that does not blatantly resemble the Wii U. Regarding this rumor for a split d-pad, it's hard to call it a rumor, rather it's just something that someone made up on the fly. But if I should analyze it anyway, I'd say that there are problems with this idea. Even split d-pads have a pad sitting below their surface, so they will never feel the same as a button which is truly independent from all other inputs on a controller. I agree that simple multiplayer games on the go are the most obvious conclusion, but the implementation of such an idea would feel too much like cramming in an additional feature than adding something of real substance. |
I literally did not think of that. I always assumed there would also be a Pro controller in the box, if the handheld-part absolutely needed to be docked. Having the equvalent of two tiny wiimotes in my hands just seemed too uncomfortable as a controller to me, but I guess with a bridge that could work. I also still sort of hope that it actually doesn't need to be docked since I seem to be one of the very few people that actually really like the WiiU concept (and ease of navigating menus), but I get why they would have to seperate their marketing messages here. So yeah, that absolutely makes sense.
As for the D-Pad, yeah one of the players would have to deal with rather spongy feeling buttons, but it might be enough for a round of Mario Kart. Like you said this has a high probability of being bullocks anyways.
On that note, I also wonder how Nintendo is going to deal with online gaming on the go (non-local) and if it might include a cellular option. They have used public hotspots for special things on 3DS before, but I think if they wanted to jump on the payed online bandwagon and offered a mobile flatrate with it, they might actually have success. I don't know how realistic that is though.
