Topic: Does the gamepad function as a Wii classic controller also?

If not I think that it is a huge mistake on Nintendo's part. I don't own a Wii, but I'm getting a Wii U. I already have to conceivably buy Wii remotes, and nunchucks. For the WIi games I would like to buy, I'm hoping I don't have to buy a Wii classic controller, or the Wii U equivalent. They need to make this as easy as possible for consumers, and IDK if they are? Anyone know exactly what works with what?

well find out on november 18 when we get it >:3

I'm sure it will, you just can't play them on the screen

They haven't confirmed this but odds are that it will. The Wii remote did not support Virtual Console because, other than NES titles, there was not enough enough buttons to play VC games. Not all WiiWare titles will probably support the Gamepad, I think this depends on developers... actually, forget the classic controller completely, I have a feeling the announced pro controller will leave the classic controller obsolete. Knowing Nintendo, the pro controller will replace the classic controller, as the Wii remote plus has replaced the Wii remote.

Still, this and any other comments are speculation, Nintendo hasn't commented on this and probably won't, it most likely will just be a wait and see.

Nope. The Wii U has a "Wii Mode" just like the Wii had a "GameCube Mode". In Wii Mode, you can only use Wii controllers. No GamePad support for Wii games (including WiiWare and Wii Virtual Console).

@Zaphod_Beeblebrox - I reckon you're right, but have you actually seen that confirmed somewhere (I haven't), or is it just an assumption based on the existence of the "Wii mode"?

I recommend picking up a Classic Controller Pro if you can find a cheap one, because I'm thinking that it's going to be the Gamecube on Wii situation again like Zaphod_Beeblebrox said.

Well, technically it could. Since the button layout is there.

I don't think you'll be able to play VC games on the GamePad itself, but I don't see why you wouldn't be able to use it as a controller for them.

I would be surprised to see anything from the existing Wii Shop be offered for sale in the new eShop without getting updated for Gamepad support including Virtual Console games. The only people I would expect to need a Classic Controller are people playing Wii disc releases that support it (Samurai Warriors 3 and Sakura Wars in my case) and people transferring content from Wii to Wii U (though I would hope you'd just get the ability to download the equivalent title from the eShop rather than some kind of local WiFi link). But yeah, we'll need to wait to find out about the eShop and Nintendo Network in detail.

I'm quite impressed by how much has been kept under wraps so close to release - makes getting the system a bit more exciting, doesn't it?

We can only hope...

Makes me worry that so close to release Nintendo doesn't know the details, actually.

Or, more likely, it makes me worry that Nintendo is deliberately keeping things under wraps because Nintendo knows just how bad they are.

I'd be surprised of VC titles in the Wii U eShop don't have full support for Wii U hardware including displaying images on the GamePad, save states and whatever. I wouldn't hold my breath for anything like that for WiiWare titles. I would guess that WiiWare on the Wii U will be similar to DSiWare on the 3DS.

I hope that A: Nintendo puts GCN games on the Wii U, and
B: the Pad will function as a GameCube remote.

I managed to remember where I'd read this and now that I re-read it, it doesn't sound 100% certain. It looks like marketing-style evasion of the part of the question they'd rather not answer. But it isn't a definite answer either way.

NWR: For Wii Mode, will you be able to use the Wii U GamePad, and the Controller Pro to play Wii Games?

MF: Clearly, in Wii Mode, when you bring either WiiWare and Virtual Console games, or you're playing a Wii game, you're able to use Wii peripherals.

Additional Nintendo Rep: I do know that you can't take it off the TV and put it on the GamePad. Also, to clarify your other question, for Nintendo Land, you do need the Motion Plus Remote because some of the games require it.

Source: http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/interview/31803 (page 3 of a 3-page Q&A)

If you don't like Nintendo, than why are you here? They have pushsquare for sony fans, you know..

As of right now, I doubt it.

It should be mentioned, though, that Nintendo has had a decent emphasis on trying to update their hardware, so it is very lilkely we will see it act as a Classic Controller eventually. Just not at launch.

@Joker94 One can like the games a company produces but not like every aspect about the company itself. I love the devices Apple produces, but I hate some of the stuff I have to deal with on iTunes (having all my songs go away when I switch hardrives and having to spend hours with PR to get some of it back). I like Playstation devices, but I've hated the way Sony has been as a company since their TV devision completely collapsed.

He has a right to be here even if he always talks bad about Nintendo. Those are the rules. You don't have to like Nintendo or say anything good about the Big N to be on this site. I know Cho can be, well, Cho as you probably know. Just try not to let it get to you.

. Your a little bit wrong on this, some games does work with the wii remote. Like nes games and earlier, the games that required more buttons like snes games or even n64 games it needed the classic controller.basically what it really boils down to is if the controller you want to use has the necessary amount of buttons you need to control the game

i have heard that controller pro vill work on wii also. it will auto register as a classic controller.

I don't find that exciting, I find it concerning. I'm worried that the 100+ VC/Wiiware games I've downloaded will be kept seperate in the "Wii Mode", while newer VC games I buy on the Wii U won't be. First world problem, I know, but I'm still on the fence about getting a Wii U (at least at launch time) and I'd like info like this to be cleared up.