Topic: Your thoughts on the pro controller? Will Nintendo increase or decrease support?

I've really fallen in love with the pro controller since my purchase in early 2013, I just feel that it proves a superior gaming experience when compared to the gamepad. Now, the gamepad is a well built piece of kit, and it's great for surfing the net on the telle or utilizing it's remote play feature.......but ergonomically it just doesn't feel right, especially for games like DKC: Tropical Freeze and MK8.........well, it's ok, but still inferior to the pro controller.

In comparison to the stock Microsoft and Sony competitors, I feel that the pro controller is just as comfortable and roughly on par. While the DS4 is slightly superior IMO, I must say that I really love the feel of the pro controllers dual sticks and D-pad, as well as the light weight......only complaint being the lack of earphone / headphone support, which is somewhat unbelievable considering the pro controller was created by Nintendo to appease core gamers who generally enjoy competitive multiplayer.

So some good signs for the pro controller recently...

• newest update allows you to navigate in the eShop with the pro controller
• titles like Bayonetta 1/2 and Hyrule Warriors are more geared towards the pro controller being the prime option
• Introduction of the Gamecube controller for SSB, and rumors that it will have the full functionality of the pro controller for other titles, is a positive sign

Negatives

• Some major titles such as Sonic Lost World and Pushmo World lack complete pro controller support, and Captain Toad most likely will follow a similar road.......given the SM3DW gamepad only segments.

Either way I think Nintendo needs to make sure that the pro controller and future Gamecube controller have just as much priority as the Gamepad, to include functionality with all Nintendo published titles, and not just some.....

I just look at the Pro controller as more of a multiplayer controller. From what I can tell, they want to make sure the software can use the GamePad as much as it can, then adapt everything to how it would be on a regular controller. Like look at CoD Black Ops II. You can use the GamePad and gets maps, touch options, while still having the normal buttons. The Wii remote is full out pointer controls with some motion wherever it works, and the Pro controller is a GamePad, minus touch screen, motion, etc, so it really depends on whether those features matter to you.

I personally find more enjoyment from having those options, so I think the GamePad is better. I use the GamePad as my motion controller for MK8, so I think it is superior to the Pro controller, because it still has all the same buttons, plus all the other features. Bulkiness and weight isn't really an issue for me.

They will make sure the Pro controller and possibly Wii remote will work, but I generally see them as multiplayer controllers. All the controllers are worthwhile in their own way.

I don't mind Pro Controller support on games that may not require special GamePad features, but Nintendo's number 1 priority should be to sell the Wii U and the GamePad. The Pro Controller is a nice optional controller but the GamePad is the primary controller for the console and should be the focal point, in my opinion.

Simply put, if a game can be playable using the Pro Controller, it will be utilized for all first party titles. Your examples of Sonic Lost World and Pushmo World are not first party, so Nintendo had no input on determining whether or not it will be compatible with the Pro Controller.

If a game cannot be played with the Pro Controller, it will obviously not support it. Captain Toad requires the touchscreen to play, so the Pro Controller will not be supported. (As far as we know. Other features and gameplay mechanics could be added in to warrant Pro Controller support)

Finally, the Gamepad is now Nintendo's priority. Games will still be developed that can be played with the Pro Controller, but we're going to see more games that work exclusively to the Gamepad. And that's fine.

I wouldn't be concerned.

If the Gamecube controller gets the Pro treatment, then I won't get one. I'm getting the bundle for Smash U

Nobody really cares for pro controllers... I want Nintendo to start selling golden Gamepads separately

Its a great controller and Nintendo have made games that don't really require the game pad also make use of the pro were possible. Don't forget they patched it into NSMBU after launch and Pikmin recently got a gamepad control update. Nintendo know people love controller choice and they obviously also want to sell more controllers.

The only game i'm worried about is StarFox U since they are trying to push the whole gamepad thing, although the two player co-op mode they described sounded awesome I really hope its possible to play with pro-controllers flying your own ship as well.

@Brewsky summed it up quite nicely.

Yes, the Pro Controller is sweet. But I love my GamePad more because of the more features it has. The Pro is light and very comfy, though.

I wouldn't mind a Gamepad that's a little less bulky and more ergonomic. Maybe about 30% smaller/lighter than it is now and shaped like a Gameboy Advance with curves on the back for hand comfort?

But anyway, I do like the Pro Controller depending on what game I'm playing. Gamepad is pretty useless for Mario Kart, because who wants to look away from the screen while racing anyway and the gyro controls are pretty wonky. Wind Waker HD on the other hand, I absolutely love having my maps and inventory on the second screen.

Gamecube controller is still better than the Pro though. I'm hoping more games will be compatible with it than just Smash.

As far as the competition goes, I think the DS4 is the most ergonomic controller this generation with the best button layout and the Gamepad has the best features with a design that just needs a little tweaking.

The pro controller is one on Nintendos best controllers ever IMO. I just think it should be a bit cheaper since it has not headphone motion or touch.

The pro controller has been being supported well since the early batch of launch titles.

I think the pro controller is a must own for any Wii U owner.

Pushmo World is first party, it's made by Intelligent Systems.

But it does have an incredible 80 hour battery life!

Seriously, I love not having to charge my controller for months!

I been a wiiu owner since day one. From the beginning the only game that supported it's use was BO2...I returned it because it lacked a head phone Jack. Had limited game support. And couldn't be used as a primary control.. I've since re bought one recently..I use it as a multiplayer option. Because I don't want to game with a wiimote

My point remains the same: Intelligent Systems made the game. Nintendo didn't have any input on controller support.

It was co-produced by Nintendo. Hiro Yamada was the producer on Nintendo's part, along with Kodai Matsumoto. If Nintendo wanted the Pro Controller support, they could have made that happen. Pushmo World, however, was made by a very small development team, and seeing how the game never got released on a physical disc, I think they just didn't bother with additional controls.

While I don't mind the pro controller at all, I almost always go for the gamepad. I find it a little more comfortable and like having the extra features when games take advantage of it. Even for MK8 I tend to use the gamepad. I also prefer the gamecube controller over the pro controller.

I hope it is supported on more games.

The Pro controller has its applications (CoD, probably Splatoon, too, etc.). However, I almost always default to the Gamepad as I've gotten so used to it and its features, plus have a Nyko extended battery pack that gives me 10.5 hours per full charge. In essence, then, I will always see the Pro controller as application-specific, and I am seeing that Nintendo is most likely seeing it the same way.

To be blunt, it depends on the game. No Pro controller support in Splatoon would be a mistake, no Pro controller support in Captain Toad is a non-issue.

Well, there can only possibly be 2 GamePads, max, so if you need a regular controller, 4 GamePads is not even an option. Pro controllers are pretty neccesary, but I don't think prioritizing it would reallt help much. Like @ZyroXZ2 said, it has it's use.

By implementing the GamePad at all, you already have a standrad button set, most of the time, so the Pro controller already is already prioritiezed in the sense that it will work with whatever games have the standard button set on the GamePad, anyway. Even so, the GamePad still shows the map or whatever else, even when you are using the Pro controller. The only difference in that case, is location and size, but it is still there.

They just expect people to use the GamePad, and Pro controller is more of a fail safe option, IMO. That doesn't make it any less of a priority, but the GamePad is the core focus, and subtracting features for the Pro controller isn't really going to fly, because that is what would happen if it was just as high of a priority. I know DKCR:TF doesn't use it, and maybe that is the perfect example of a game where you don't need the GamePad, but lots of other things use it well enough.

You can't do some things without the GamePad. That's just how it is, and the things you can do, the Pro controller is right there.

My pro controller generally only gets used for local multiplayer. I much prefer the gamepad.