What's with the 3 to 4 hour battery life of the Gamepad.

yeah, its like i have to keep it charged everytime i play it

Honestly. No problems from me. >3-5hrs use on a charge. I always fiddle with power/brightness settings.

Given the light weight of the GamePad, I think Nintendo could have added more Li ion cells. This would also have increased the cost, I think they should absorb it. It's not like I'm asking for a radeon 7990 like everyone else. At minimum a +50% increase in capacity, but I would want +100%. Double the usage time.

I'm sorry your experience is so raw dude.

The battery life of the Gamepad really sucks. There are times that I play longer than 3 or 4 hours in one sitting, so that amount of battery life just sucks. I wish that the Wii U Gamepad had an external battery like the Xbox360 controller so 1 battery could be charged and it could be switched with the other when needed.ghstbstr

It really sucks if you are throwing a party, that Gamepad Tablet dies quick. I've had a couple BBQs showcasing the Wii U, and we had to turn it off midway through the day to let it recharge. First time I've ever had to do that for any of my consoles over the years.

I have a friend that has a decent sized family of four that takes turns with games, and they run into problems with the Gamepad's battery life.

It wouldn't be so bad if the gamepad didn't take nearly 3 hours to recharge. My Leather Recliner sofas are spaced apart from my large HDTV so the powercord doesn't reach.

I would love a battery kit offering like on the 360. I also wouldn't have minded paying more for a better battery if it had been offered at launch.

i just keep it plugged in..

Yeah, doesn't bother me too much because I just plug it in. Would be nice if it lasted longer but I don't lose any sleep about it.

Meh. I've never had problems with it. And even if I do play for 4 hours straight, my couch is right next to the power outlet.

I lowered the brightness on the screen and it actually helped quite a bit. Then if it turns red I just plug it into the outlet beside me no biggie.

I've only seen mine turn red once. I usually leave it on the charging cradle so it's always full when I start playing and I never play games on the same console for over 4 hours. I have to take breaks or switch to another system so I feel like I'm doing something different. There is already a 3rd party battery pack for it, that I heard was pretty good. You should probably look into it.

Mine lasts about 4 and a half hours with the brightness set to low. It's ok, but I'm planning on doing a marathon session of ZombiU with a friend soon, so I'll be purchasing the Nyko Uboost, which apparently doubles the battery life.

It clips onto the back and doesn't interfere with the Wii U controller at all. You can still use the charging dock and stuff. It looks a bit ugly, but I don't mind as long as it gets the job done.

As far as I'm aware the WiiU gamepad uses the same battery that the 3DS uses, so I would assume that any battery (so long as it doesn't change the shape of the 3DS) that works with the 3DS would work with the gamebad as well, but I don't really know.

Battery life is garbage, the only thing worse are the apologists.

Oh just turn the screen down: Look, I'm sorry that your vision is so bad that there's no discernible difference between light and dark, that must be a horrendous way to go through life. That being said you and others like you who can't tell the difference between light and dark are a small minority and dimming the screen is nowhere near an acceptable solution.

Turn rumble off: Again, my deepest sympathy to anyone who doesn't have feeling in their hands. Just like the vision problems above, the people who feel sensations in both their hands greatly outweigh the number of people who do not. That means that something would be missing if it were to be turned off, another unacceptable solution.

The only thing you can do right now is babysit the controller with a dedication you would have towards a critically ill child, every 2 hours you have to start being aware that you've spent the majority of your time awake and it's going to be ready for some bed rest soon.

It's a pain and something that wasn't needed, Nintendo making the controller unable to use third party batteries was a design that makes Nintendo more money at the expense of the consumer.

Jaysonguy to be super effective perhaps you should have mentioned apologists saying 'just play with it plugged in'?

But seriously, are they really apologists? Obviously, I can tell when I dim the screen. But, if I can set it to a lower level than 5, and still find the image vivid - it's efficient. I'm extending the time until the next charge.

Should the user have to micromanage this? That depends on the user. I don't mind it, but if you hate it, you're more than welcome to mate.

What's wrong with keeping it plugged in?Nintatterdemon

Rooms come in different shapes and sizes.

In my case, the Plug literally doesn't reach the leather recliner couches I sit on.

If you can do it and your room is small enough, by all means do so. I did it at a party, but the users couldn't sit down on the couch and the HDTV ws too high up for them to sit on the floor.

So, we turned the Wii U off for 3 hours to let the Tablet charge up. I then turned on Rockband 3 on a different machine while the Gamepad was charging.

This wasn't a problem with me until the outlets beside my bed for some reason stopped working with my gamepad adapter (but oddly, everything else still works with it). And it sure heck doesn't feel like 4 hours. If feels like 2 with brightness at 3. I can't finish 3 episodes of Lost before my light goes red.

This wasn't a problem with me until the outlets beside my bed for some reason stopped working with my gamepad adapter (but oddly, everything else still works with it). And it sure heck doesn't feel like 4 hours. If feels like 2 with brightness at 3. I can't finish 3 episodes of Lost before my light goes red.

thetravman

I get close to about 3 hours, but I refuse to change the settings, I want to get the whole experience.

I'm just waiting for better battery solutions from Nintendo. I may get one of those 3rd party solutions, but I would prefer a Nintendo solution.

I am surprised Nintendo didn't do a better job on the Gampad controller battery life. It does seem short which I learned playing Zombie U. Maybe Nintendo will release a battery pack extender? But that is it, I guess all of the Gamepad feature use a lot of energy.

I am surprised Nintendo didn't do a better job on the Gampad controller battery life. It does seem short which I learned playing Zombie U. Maybe Nintendo will release a battery pack extender? But that is it, I guess all of the Gamepad feature use a lot of energy.

Megavideogamer

I believe in a few years or perhaps sooner, they will update the battery with a revision. Something akin to the DS to DSi, etc.

I believe early adopters like us will be offered battery solutions we can buy at retail at some point.

Totally agree with the battery compaints, it's annoying as hell to have the gamepad only last 4 hours, it's weak sh*t and no doubt is a cheap move on nintendo's part once again, they are the biggest cheapasses when it comes to literally everything. I'm sure someone soon will have a quality battery that will double the life of the pad, I will be buying one without a doubt.

Yeah, I can plug the thing in but it's really aggravating that more than half the time that I use the thing it has to be plugged in, and it completely defeats the purpose of having a "mobile" gamepad when you're tied down to a 7' power cord.

From what I've seen in videos they make it rather simple to access the battery on the gamepad, so I don't mind waiting for a 3rd party alternative.katana_duo

That problem being Nyko or one of those

Not a real battery maker like Duracell or Energizer

[QUOTE="thetravman"]

This wasn't a problem with me until the outlets beside my bed for some reason stopped working with my gamepad adapter (but oddly, everything else still works with it). And it sure heck doesn't feel like 4 hours. If feels like 2 with brightness at 3. I can't finish 3 episodes of Lost before my light goes red.

SolidTy

I get close to about 3 hours, but I refuse to change the settings, I want to get the whole experience.

[QUOTE="SolidTy"]

[QUOTE="thetravman"]

This wasn't a problem with me until the outlets beside my bed for some reason stopped working with my gamepad adapter (but oddly, everything else still works with it). And it sure heck doesn't feel like 4 hours. If feels like 2 with brightness at 3. I can't finish 3 episodes of Lost before my light goes red.

Shinobishyguy

I get close to about 3 hours, but I refuse to change the settings, I want to get the whole experience.

You can't tell the difference between light and dark?

Dear God that has to be awful

[QUOTE="Shinobishyguy"]

[QUOTE="SolidTy"]

I get close to about 3 hours, but I refuse to change the settings, I want to get the whole experience.

Jaysonguy

You can't tell the difference between light and dark?

Dear God that has to be awful

Ah man, I did the same thing (going from 5 to 3) and this isn't a big issue at all. It's still highly visible and is not a deal breaker. That said the battery still drops down far too damn fast even set to 3. Nintendo's just too highly invested in making the lowest possible quality when it comes to equipment. A longer lasting battery needs to hit the market soon...

needing to charge it while playing defeats the purpose of wireless gaming. Damage control in full effect I see.BlueVigor

[QUOTE="katana_duo"]From what I've seen in videos they make it rather simple to access the battery on the gamepad, so I don't mind waiting for a 3rd party alternative.Jaysonguy

That problem being Nyko or one of those

Not a real battery maker like Duracell or Energizer

Nintendo is taking a loss on WiiU hardware right now, so unless we want fewer features elsewhere or an even more expensive console, I'd say the battery life is adequate at the very least.

Think of it this way - since there are battery life extenders for sale by third parties, Nintendo made longer battery life an optional feature. Those of us who never have issues with the battery life don't have to pay more for something we don't need, and those who need more battery life can pay extra for it.

my guess is they used a small battery to keep the weight down and there is already a third party solution

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/12/sick_of_the_wii_u_gamepads_weak_battery_life_nyko_is_your_friend

Just plug it in while its low so it can charge. Honestly I've turned down the brightness because indoors no one really needs the screen to be that bright. I've done the same for my cell phone and it's fine. Haziqonfire

Not everyone has small rooms where the power cord and docking bay setup, can reach the couch to plug and play from the wall. This is a wireless controller, not meant to be tethered.

I'm glad your solution works in your smaller room in your current dwelling, but I already tried that solution at Wii U's launch at my house during a BBQ party to no avail.

Certainly, that "just plug it in" solution doesn't work in my home without more work, which defeats the purpose of convenience and getting to the gaming. This point was also mentioned in this thread had you read the responses before you posted today.

So, your solution that worked for you was already previously mentioned in this thread as well as the problem that some users like myself encountered trying to commit to that same solution.

Who wouldn't think of that anyways? Honestly. Maybe someone, but that was already covered in this thread. I know I tried to plug it in on day one Wii U launch day. It didn't reach the couch, people had to stand in front of the TV. It was pointless. The Wii U party ended, but the party stayed alive by other console means. We ate, played other games like Singstar and Rockband, and then revisited the Wii U three hours later (also, the Gamepad charges way too slow!).

It's unfortunate I have recliner leather couches, a 7.1 surround sound setup, and a giant Plasma HDTV. I have a spacious livingroom. I guess Nintendo didn't think of my livingroom as the norm (rest assured, there are others like me). But they did! That's why the Tablet/Gamepad is Wireless, you see?! Aha! So, the "Just plug it in" solution doesn't apply to everyone everywhere. It certainly is a nice option for those that can easily accomodate that solution. Just plug it in!

I can see how that plug in the cord solution works for small bedrooms or less equipped, smaller livingrooms, but it's an obvious solution one would think of prior to even bothering to post at Gamespot.com.

Here's one conversation on that Just-Plug-It-In solution that took place in this thread Six days ago (almost a week) :

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Nintatterdemon : "What's wrong with keeping it plugged in?"

----------

Rooms come in different shapes and sizes.

In my case, the Plug literally doesn't reach the leather recliner couches I sit on.

If you can do it and your room is small enough, by all means do so. I did it at a party, but the users couldn't sit down on the couch and the HDTV ws too high up for them to sit on the floor.

So, we turned the Wii U off for 3 hours to let the Tablet charge up. I then turned on Rockband 3 on a different machine while the Gamepad was charging.

SolidTy

Ty - are you in the 1% or something? I'm just busting your balls, you're cool.

What about an extension cord for the power? Simple solution. Will it look a bit bogan? Yeah, but so what?

My cellphone came with a USB cable that was like ... 0.75m long. Ghastly. Couldn't use it while charging. The solution - a longer USB cord. But for a while, I just extended the power cord.

Personally, I think Nintendo should release a Uranium 238 based portable thermonuclear reactor for the Wii U GamePad. It should come with a free Hazard suit which is lead lined. Also, the suit should be pink.

Ty - are you in the 1% or something? I'm just busting your balls, you're cool.

What about an extension cord for the power? Simple solution. Will it look a bit bogan? Yeah, but so what?

My cellphone came with a USB cable that was like ... 0.75m long. Ghastly. Couldn't use it while charging. The solution - a longer USB cord. But for a while, I just extended the power cord.

Personally, I think Nintendo should release a Uranium 238 based portable thermonuclear reactor for the Wii U GamePad. It should come with a free Hazard suit which is lead lined. Also, the suit should be pink.

psymon100

Maybe the 1% on Gamespot.com demographic (more youthful culture), but I'm not in the 1% at various AV forums. Some of those guys put my livingroom to shame. :P

The extension cord idea is a simple solution, but as you said it would be way too bogan and uncouth for my clean livingroom setup. Defeats the whole wireless thing in the first place. The worst problem though is that a guy like me who has kiddies/people running around that could trip and yank the cords when I'm playing, or the Wii U is playing at a party. I also fear the problems that could arise when I'm not at home and my Wii U is being used. :shock: I wouldn't be there to babysit the technology or the cord. Then, I have the issue of my girlfriend's loud opinions that won't allow for such "cord on the floor" measures for appearances sake. She would also have an issue as the visiting company/family would be very judgmental on how seriously I take my gaming to have such a cord lying about to power that gaming pad doohicky. I hate having any cords if I can avoid it for those reasons and more, as I'm worried they will get tripped on with so many people running about. The Xbox 360 has Play and Charge kits, but I don't use them due to the cord, instead I opted for the more expensive Quick Charge kits that power up the batteries elsewhere to keep that clean look I've had that go along with a Leather Recliner couch, Plasma HDTV, and 7.1 surround sound. Hiding wires is a serious business, the Speaker cords along were a huge pain in the neck. :P I would hate to compromise all that work just to have a Wii U release and change that. The PS3 controllers only charge after gaming is over, never charge during the gameplay. Before it's asked, yes, my PS2/Xbox/Gamecube were all wireless controllers. Two of the machines used Logitech, the other four Wavebirds. So, I've been wireless for quite sometime.

As far as the Gamepad, I'm more inclined to think a Proton Pack solution would be best. A man-portable, nuclear particle accelerator system, but the end of it plugs to the Gamepad. That would hopefully give me the portability I need, and I can even put on a robe to look less bogan. The great thing is it could also rid your house of pesky Poltergeists and spooky Spectral Apparitions when you aren't gaming.

This could be US one day!

You mentioned you like Pink, well don't you fret! I got you covered.