E3 2011

E3 2011: Wii U tablet limited to one per console

Tom Magrino
By Tom Magrino

Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto says company currently only plans to have one device per system, but final decision not yet made.

LOS ANGELES--The 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo has served as a coming-out event for Nintendo's newest console, the Wii U. With its finalized name confirmed, Nintendo has begun to offer a more comprehensive look at what gamers can, and can not expect, from the Wii U when it becomes available next year.

Multiple Wii U tablets per console aren't currently in the cards.

Multiple Wii U tablets per console aren't currently in the cards.

According to Nintendo design head Shigeru Miyamoto, gamers shouldn't bank on using more than one Wii U tablet with the system. However, Nintendo continues to evaluate whether this will continue to be the case as it finalizes development leading up to next year's launch.

"Our basic premise is that you can use one with a system," Miyamoto told Australia's news.com.au. "If we got to an idea of having multiple (controllers), it might be just more convenient for people to use their Nintendo 3DS and have a way to connect that."

"That being said," he continued, "we are doing research about if someone brings their controller to their friend's house and they want to play together on Wii U to whether or not something like that would be possible."

At its E3 media briefing on Tuesday, Nintendo said that the Wii Remote and Nunchuk's motion-sensing controllers will supplement the Wii U tablet on the new console. At the joint Ubisoft-Nintendo media event last night, the multiplayer mode of Killer Freaks from Outer Space was demonstrated with one Wii U tablet and a Wii Classic Controller hooked up to a nunchuk.

For more info on Nintendo's latest console, the Wii U, be sure to check out our Nintendo Wii U: Everything You Need to Know feature or watch Nintendo's E3 2011 press conference to see the full reveal.

Tom Magrino
By Tom Magrino

Tom Magrino has covered the games industry since 2006. He's been compared to Steve Martin by Ozzy Osbourne and Daniel Craig by Tim Schafer. His voice, heard largely on GameSpot's podcast, recalls that of Kermit the Frog. It ain't easy bein' Magreen.

498 Comments

  • SDFKrusher

    Posted Jun 20, 2011 9:49 pm GMT

    It's not that there won't be multi-player games on the Wii U; all this news signifies is that the new controller won't be the primary controller when it comes to a game's multi-player component.

  • Zoomer30

    Posted Jun 20, 2011 9:07 pm GMT

    So......noooo 2 player games.....hmmm....man say many joke options here my brain is locking up.....

    So they go from the Wii which is designed from the ground UP to be a multi-player party machine and is boring alone....to something that only one person can play.....Stop the Earth I want off....

    And to be "Fair and Balenced Bashers" there better be Xbots by the bus load bashing this thing for its price at launch, its gonna make the PS3 look cheap....

  • Default_Usernam

    Posted Jun 20, 2011 5:56 pm GMT

    so long as the games that will be released are to my liking, i don't really mind the one wii u controller per system thing. Its a shame though, cause developers could have created some great multiplayer experiences with more than 1 wii u controller

  • kon_freak

    Posted Jun 20, 2011 8:05 am GMT

    I hope I can buy this, something new in console gaming and gameplay feature

  • townsforever

    Posted Jun 18, 2011 12:56 pm GMT

    one controller? never mind I won't be pre-ordering after all. and for the 3-ds idea that would mean people would need two very expensive consoles to play one game together. not cool.

  • lethal_intake

    Posted Jun 18, 2011 12:48 am GMT

    I know Nintendo gets its gamers hooked on to gimmicky features of gameplay. Don't get me wrong, I like their spin on creating new and innovative ways to play video games but this is just ridiculous. The WII U may get the hard core gamers to purchase it since there may be actual games that are targeted for those people now available in this platform in the future but nobody really wants to fight over the fancy tablet controller. I think Nintendo is somehow working backwards for some reason because I thought their focus was on connectivity and playing with others as oppose to this. And what's going on with it not being compatible with DVD and Blue ray. Sometimes it's good to have those things built in one system so gamers could get rid of their DVD or Blue ray players because it takes up a lot of space

  • AirBizkit89

    Posted Jun 17, 2011 3:45 pm GMT

    if they do only one they just killed multiple dreams ppl had in store for this. cant believe nintendo even wants a headache.

  • Coolyfett

    Posted Jun 16, 2011 3:31 pm GMT

    They will sell more Classic Controllers if they are trying to get hardcore gamers to come back.

  • MuffintopX

    Posted Jun 16, 2011 7:38 am GMT

    They will support multiple tablet controllers for sure.. Currently it does one but it is not released yet. There will be such an outrage if 2 friends playing both can't use the fancy controller.

  • megakick

    Posted Jun 15, 2011 9:06 pm GMT

    Just should have made a WII hd with 3DS/DSI optional connectivity the console would have been cheaper and gives consumers more options.

  • jrandkellerrock

    Posted Jun 15, 2011 9:04 pm GMT

    Oh god people, you're going to be able to use regular wii remotes for mutliplayer play. Did anybody see any of the demos?

  • prioritymail

    Posted Jun 15, 2011 6:20 pm GMT

    Having such an expensive controller does indeed make multiplayer complicated.

  • coylenintendo

    Posted Jun 15, 2011 3:44 pm GMT

    well I guess it is called Wii U. just for you and not anyone else. I guess it'll only be for loners.

  • montblanc512

    Posted Jun 15, 2011 9:19 am GMT

    @Murtaghe01, I doubt it. They are made to be more comfortable (the 3DS version of these new circle pads work great), but don't have the shape to be pushable. But really, I don't see it as too big a deal. it's just a matter of changing some minor controls. Like in old shooters, you wanted to run, you didn't have to push down, you'd just double tap. It would be a simple matter, not a game breaking flaw.

  • montblanc512

    Posted Jun 15, 2011 9:13 am GMT

    I... I don't get it. Why is this even being debated? It's an absolutely awful idea to only allow one controller. How would you play games like Smash Bros? Either one person has a huge advantage, or they make it so nobody can use the controller, which defeats the purpose of getting excited over the controller. Same for any fighter, or split screen game. If they go through with this, I hope the stock holders tell Miyamoto to retire, because this is the worst idea he's ever considered (power glove included).

  • Murtaghe01

    Posted Jun 15, 2011 5:33 am GMT

    they have all the buttons a normal controller would have but can the circle pads click? on the xbox to zoom in halo and crouch you click the right or left joystick. is it the same on the wii u?? the wii's nunchuck joystick doesnt click so just wondering.

  • migtal

    Posted Jun 14, 2011 5:29 pm GMT

    This is a big mistake Nintendo.........so far so good don't spoil it please don't..

  • slippship

    Posted Jun 14, 2011 2:07 pm GMT

    @dynomitemasta

    My opinion, I don't play in my bedroom, the whole house is mine and has been for some time. But thanks kiddo. Never played FIFA with 6 chums on PS3 then?

    Didn't think trailer parks got enough power for internet.

  • febreez123

    Posted Jun 13, 2011 7:34 pm GMT

    WiiU = iPad in my living room.

  • TheLemonGelati

    Posted Jun 13, 2011 7:14 pm GMT

    Herosuperdude
    I'd pick it up just for Smash bros but thankfully all of Nintendo's first party titles always make the purchase worthwhile.