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Wii U GamePad
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The Wii U GamePad is the primary controller for the Wii U console, featuring a large touch screen. It runs on a rechargeable battery, and has a stylus within it.
One Wii U GamePad is included with every console. Despite Nintendo announcing its intention to release standalone Wii U GamePads, they did not follow up on this until November 24, 2015, when the GamePad was released as a standalone product in Japan, costing 12,800 yen and only available directly from Nintendo.[1]
Features
The Wii U GamePad's main feature is the 6.2 inch, 480p resolution touchscreen, which can be used for additional gameplay features, or can display or replicate the video feed on the television screen for "Off-TV Play". The GamePad communicates with the console via an adapted Wi-Fi signal, and receives video from the console through a custom protocol and H.264 video codec.
Two clickable control sticks sit at the top of the controller, the directional pad underneath the left stick and the A/B/X/Y buttons underneath the right. Under the A/B/X/Y buttons are the start and select buttons. On the right side of the bottom of the controller is a power button, which can power on both the console and the Wii U GamePad, and on the center bottom is a Home button to display the Home Menu. On the back of the controller are two shoulder buttons and two digital trigger buttons (marked "ZL" and "ZR" like on the Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Pro and the Classic Controller), and a pair of grips to give the feel of a more traditional controller. Also on the back of the controller is a 3.5mm headphone port next to the charger port, and on the other side is a volume slider and a storage area for the stylus.
The AC Adapter (WUP-011) uses a standard wall plug with a power adapter in the middle of the cable, while the charging port itself is wider than what would be on a Nintendo handheld console. The Wii U GamePad uses a rechargeable battery (WUP-012) which lasts for three to five hours.[2] However, Nintendo have since released a "High-Capacity Battery" (WUP-013) which lasts for up to eight hours.[3] The High-Capacity Battery was released in Japan in summer 2013, in Europe in October 2013, and in North America in December 2013.[4]
The controller also has a camera built into it, facing the player during gameplay. It also has a built-in gyroscope, which can be used for motion control in certain games or features in games. Underneath the D-pad is an NFC sensor, which can recognise specific objects placed above it, such as amiibo or certain credit cards, similar to the Skylanders Power Pedestal. Pressing the TV button, next to the power button, allows users to use the Wii U GamePad as a television remote, using the touchscreen to display the various television inputs; the controller can be configured to the television in System Settings. Like the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS, the Wii U GamePad also has a microphone built into it, which can record the user's voice, as well as an input on the underside for an external microphone, and on the top front is a camera. The controller has a built-in infrared sensor which emulates the Wii Sensor Bar.
Wii U Deluxe Sets come with both a normal stand for the Wii U GamePad (WUP-016) and a charging cradle (WUP-014).
Gallery
A Wii Zapper with a screen attachment, which led to development for the Wii U GamePad.
Concept prototype for the Wii U GamePad, created from a monitor with two Wii Remotes taped to the sides.
Earlier version of the Wii U GamePad seen at E3 2011, which featured circle pads as seen on the Nintendo 3DS, as opposed to clickable control sticks.
Cardboard version of the Wii U GamePad based on the E3 2011 build created by Kazuyuki Motoyama of Hatena, to demonstrate the feel and display of a real a Wii U GamePad.
Near-final version of the Wii U GamePad leaked by a TT Games QA tester, featuring most of the changes on the final build.
Trivia
- Nintendo have stated that two Wii U GamePads can theoretically be used in games being played on a single Wii U console[5], though no Wii U games to date have attempted this, limiting GamePad compatibility to one per game.
External links
References
- ↑ Nintendo Now Selling Wii U GamePad on Its Own in Japan. IGN (November 24, 2015). Retrieved November 24, 2015.
- ↑ How to Charge the Wii U GamePad. Nintendo Support. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
- ↑ High Capacity Battery on the Nintendo Store. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
- ↑ Wii U GamePad high-capacity battery now available in the US. Wii U Daily (December 21, 2013). Retrieved October 14, 2016.
- ↑ Wii U Supporting Two GamePads is Possible, but Not Likely says Miyamoto. TechnoBuffalo (June 20, 2014). Retrieved December 3, 2016.
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