Think of getting a Wii-U, but I have some questions...

Do VC games from the Wii carry over to the Wii-U?

Is it possible to forego the main controller and just use the pro controller for most games? I really don't like the main controller.

The VC games can be transferred. Nintendo has a video explaining the whole process.

As for the pro controller, I am not sure. It would be safer to do a game-to-game research based on what titles you plan on buying.

The problem with the pro-controller is there are going to be some games that flat out make you use the gamepad and honestly why is it we're fine with Tablets and the 3DS touch screen interface but act like the WiiU gamepad is this awful thing? It has analog sticks and buttons and more traditional than the Wiimote. I've played the demo in the stores and I never felt uncomfortable. We constantly want change and innovation in the industry but God help us we try a new control interface, we turn into old people sitting on the porch in our rocker going "we don't like change, why can't things be the same all the time?" Then act surprised when we get it.

Still a pro controller would be good to have for games like the upcoming Smash Bros. and Super Mario 3D World. Even with my Wii I hung onto a Gamecube controller though amazingly I only used it for a few downloadable VC games. I usually gave myself a chance to use the Wiimote interface meaning I played MKWii with the wheel and SSBB with the Wiimote/nunchuck interface and kicked people's butts. It's amazing how fun things can be if you are actually open minded and give them a chance.

You're confusing a new control scheme with a bad control scheme, it's ok though it happens often.

I can understand why people don't want the gamepad, it's big and bulky and doesn't provide anything meaningful in games besides a way to enter text quickly.

Well, I am actually an older gamer, as far as it goes (37). Been playing games since Atari.

I was always a Nintendo supporter up until the Wii, when they introduced the motion-sensing controls and tailored everything to it- even games that didn't make sense to use it.

Really, all I want with every new Nintendo console is to be able to play new incarnations of my old favorite titles (Mario, Zelda, Metroid)with current generation hardware with a normal controller. The motion-sensing Wii-mote and now the tablet-controller were/are unnecessary. They would be fine as an add-on for games that make sense to use them (Wii-mote = parlor games), but forcing it on the gamer with the majority of their library doesn't work for me.

I swear, if Nintendo just brought out a normal console, with a normal controller at a price point beneath MS and PS with a strong line-up of their bread-and-butter titles, they would be in a much better position than they are now.

zelda and monster hunter (the two games i got with my wii u) both can use the pro controller.

In a nutshell, not every game allows Pro Controller. Some require the Gamepad.

The back of the game box will tell you what controllers it uses.

I agree that Motion/Pointer controls weren't good for every game genre but I love them for FPS.

Overall, the WiiU is a nice system, but Nintendo needs to seriously step up their game.

- The Messaging system needs a bit of work as it takes too long to message people (you have to go through too many menus that require you to usually leave the game you're in and usually causes the online play to stop functioning until you log back in).

- The complete utter lack of multiplayer using the primary system's controller is another huge ball dropped by Nintendo. It has the capability, they just haven't upgraded it to do so yet. This should have been doable at launch.

- The complete ignoring of their key franchises (Metroid, FZero, Star Fox, Uniracers etc) in favor of Zelda Remakes is atrocious.

- The overpricing of said remakes being priced at full retail game pricing of $50/$60 for a remake that shouldn't cost more than $35/$40.

- The lack of friend invites for online play. You usually have to message them and tell them you're getting online. Sometimes the game itself may have a friend invite system in it such as Assassin's Creed but that's half the developers faults as well.

- The lack of Party Room's online. For fighting games, multiplayer party rooms add greatly to a game's replayability. For instance, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 has no party room on WiiU. Yet I'm still playing Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown on PS3 not only because VF5 Final Showdown is a much better game than Tekken Tag Tournament 2, but because with the people I play with in the party rooms, we teach each other new stuff and learn new mechanics of the game. We are still learning new things with this game and it has been out for I believe 2 years now.

Other than that, I really don't have many complaints with the system other than I really wish they'd get better 3rd party support but it is what it is. Battlefield 4 with Pointer Controls is a dream of mine.

Yes to the VC games.

2nd of all the Gamepad is 100% better then any other controller. Except for Wii Motes for shooters lol. Seriously people dislike the Gamepad till they use it. You don't have a Wii U so you think you don't like it.

You get used to it and it feels great. It does everything a "Regular" controller does. Plus more. So there is no reason not to use it. The only game I would want to use the Pro Controller on is Smash Bros. Every other game Gamepad BABY!!! I don't even own the Pro Controller yet cause the Gamepad is just amazing.

The gamepad is good for certain games. I played all of Super Mario Wii U with it. When Nintendo came out with the pro-controller and the update to allow some of the earlier released games to use it I was on board.

Super Luigi U is much harder because of his slippery landings and much shorter time limit, so the pro-controller comes in handy for that game.

I found myself playing Wind Waker HD on the gamepad, but fighting the first boss was killing my hand. Switching to the tv screen and using the gamepad as my controller made it much easier to shoot the boomerang and run from attacking tentacles. Then I'm back to the gamepad as my screen which I never thought I'd do initially.

Certain games will call for wii mote and nunchuck like pikmin and supposedly to be released Tropical Freeze Donkey Kong(according to a lengthy podcast from one of the developer's interview). It is probably a personal preference.

Watching the preview of Super Mario 3D World shows a few moves you can only do on the gamepad. I like having the option to use whatever controller is conducive to a game or maybe in just a level. The long lasting charge makes is very appealing.

I have a hard time understanding why using the pro controller over the gamepad is so much better, aside from battery life and weight. The gamepad and pro controller have the same buttons. Your hands are farther apart when you use the gamepad, that's all. I play with my hands resting in my lap, so it's not like the slight weight difference or my hands being three more inches apart makes any difference whatsoever.

exactly...pro controller is redudant to me....unless you want to play with more people.

@kbaily: You make a very good point that I didn't even think of. Most people are on tablets or some sort of mobile gaming device so I do not see why the gamepad should be a negative. Especially if you have the options to use other controllers for games. Look at the small investment as not having to pay for internet to play online games at least like other consoles "cough" lol.