GamePad Not Sold Separately Yet

[Demon_Skeith]

Some unfortunate news for people outside of Japan. The Gamepad, the main controller of Nintendo's Wii U system will not be sold separately and here is why:

"We have deliberately not announced the availability of the GamePad as a separate, standalone accessory here in the United States," Fils-Aime told me. "The reason for that is simple - there are no games in the launch window that take advantage of a second GamePad. And [because of that], I want all of that hardware production to be focused on driving sales at retail.

"What I mean by that is that Wii U is a console and a GamePad together. If I were to take additional GamePads and make them available as an accessory, then I would have less Wii U console hardware to sell into retail. You know, probably one of your questions is whether I'm going to meet demand. The only way we're going to achieve that here in the Americas is to not have that GamePad accessory, so I can maximize my overall volume."

Source of info

Which means that if your gamepad gets broken, stolen, misplaced, ect. You will have to buy a whole new Wii U box set.

 

[GracefulAssassin]

Well I doubt they will make it permanently un-buyable.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

They will sell it when there comes time for the need for two controllers. But till then your screwed and even if under warranty it will still take time to ship.

 

[GracefulAssassin]

Luckily the gamepad isn't needed to play I hear.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

yeah, I rather use that Xbox looking controller that is due to come out with it.

 

[GracefulAssassin]

Oh, the pro controller like on the Wii?

 

[froggyboy604]

I wonder if MadCatz, Nyko, Intec, etc make a 3rd-party gamepad controller like 3rd-party controllers for Wii, PS3, 360,etc at a cheaper price to sell to people who need a second Gamepad, or a replacement Gamepad.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

Oh, the pro controller like on the Wii?

yeah.

I wonder if MadCatz, Nyko, Intec, etc make a 3rd-party gamepad controller like 3rd-party controllers for Wii, PS3, 360,etc at a cheaper price to sell to people who need a second Gamepad, or a replacement Gamepad.

I'm not sure if Nintendo would allow the sale of a 3rd party gamepad that would be at a cheaper price.

 

[GracefulAssassin]

They have a patent on it, so I doubt they would let them. Although, all the other controllers also have the patents...

 

[hissae2]

All other controllers do so I don't see why the wii u wouldn't.