Arlo - Addressing the Alleged Switch/Wii U Hypocrisy

[Conejo]

I love the Wii U but I agree that it is by no means at the same level as the Switch. If we were to speak about gimmicks, the Switch's portability works better, is more useful, and feels less tacked on than the Wii U's GamePad. The Switch does not force you to go one way or another, and its portability does not get in the way of the quality of the games whatsoever. The Switch is a good console with a good, understandable gimmick that has mass appeal.

The Wii U GamePad, on the other hand, was completely unnecessary. Nintendo forced us to use it with the system - I wouldn't even know how to access the main menu without it. I'm forced to pick up this bulky piece of plastic to click on my game just to put it down and pick up the Pro controller. And because the GamePad was mandatory developers were forced to implement tacked on GamePad functionalities that were either half-assed or actively made the game . I'm looking at you, Star Fox Zero.

I'd forgive the GamePad if it actually delivered on the different gameplay experiences that Nintendo promised. I cannot think of a single heavy hitter that used the GamePad in unique incentivising ways. Nintendo Land was a short-lived experience, Pikmin 3 was better using the Wii pointer, Mario Kart 8 didn't need it at all, nor did Smash Bros., Bayonetta, Mario 3D World, the Wind Waker HD, Xenoblade X, and so on.

The worst sin Nintendo committed was not releasing Breath of the Wild for the Wii U sooner, porting it on the Switch, and taking away GamePad functionality for the Wii U. This game is the reason I bought the Wii U! Hell, I bought it on the Wii U instead of the Switch out of protest - just so my Wii U wouldn't feel like useless piece of plastic.

I'm gonna leave off with the fact that I love my Wii U. I enjoyed having maps and what not on the GamePad, and the few games that made use of it in unique ways were genius. A few games is not enough for mass appeal, though, and I'll be the first to admit that I gave the Wii U the benefit of the doubt because I'm unapologetically a Nintendo bitch.