Smash Bros. GameCube Controller and Wii U Adapter available for pre-order on Amazon

Earlier this year, Nintendo revealed that it would be possible to play Super Smash Bros. for Wii U using GameCube controllers, and now online retailer Amazon has started taking pre-orders for both the controllers and the adapter. Incidentally, they are also taking pre-orders for the game itself.

As most gamers know, hardcore fans of the Super Smash Bros. series consider the GameCube controller to be the best possible input method for the brawling titles, no doubt because of the controller's comfortable grips and unique button layout. It seems safe to say that the Big N is aware of how the fans feel, given the way they have revived some of their old hardware, something that the company doesn't do very often.

As you can see from the image above, the old GameCube logo has been replaced with the official logo for the wildly popular fighting franchise, giving it a very stylish look. If you would like to pre-order the controllers along with the adaptor, or you just want to get a better look at them, you can do so via the links below.


GameCube Controller - Super Smash Bros. Edition on Amazon.com

GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U on Amazon.com

Super Smash Brothers for Wii U on Amazon.com

Nintendo updates list of hard drives compatible with Wii U

A few months ago, Nintendo posted a list of hard drives that have been confirmed to work with the Wii U. At the time, there were only 4 on the list. Now, the Big N has added a few more products that have been "subjected to basic peformance tests," bringing the total to 10. Here is the full list, straight from the official Nintendo website:

We have found that the following external storage devices work with the Wii U system; these device(s) have been subjected to basic performance tests:

Buffalo

    1 TB: HD-LB1.0TU3-US

    2 TB: HD-LB2.0TU3-US

    http://www.buffalotech.com/products/desktop-hard-drives/drivestation/drivestation-axis-2

Seagate

    Backup Plus Desktop Drive

    1TB : STCA1000100 (US)

    2TB : STCA2000100 (US)

    http://www.seagate.com/external-hard-drives/desktop-hard-drives/backup-plus-desk/

    Expansion Desktop

    1TB : STBV1000100 (US)

    2TB : STBV2000100 (US)

    http://www.seagate.com/external-hard-drives/desktop-hard-drives/expansion-hard-drive/

Toshiba

    1 TB: HDWC110XK3J1

    2 TB: HDWC120XK3J1

    http://us.toshiba.com/computers/storage/desktop/canvio-desk

Western Digital (WD)

    My Book™

    1TB : WDBACW0010HBK

    2TB : WDBACW0020HBK

    http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=870

I would like to emphasize that these are not the only hard drives that will work with the Wii U. They are simply a few that Nintendo themselves have tested, and they state that they "will expand this list as more devices are confirmed to work with Wii U." In addition, they have posted quite a few disclaimers:

We will expand this list as more devices are confirmed to work with Wii U.

To optimize performance and ensure a consistent experience, all USB storage devices must be formatted and configured for use with the Wii U console. Once a device has been configured for use with a Wii U console, it cannot be used with another Wii U console, PC, or MAC unless it is reformatted. Please be sure to back up any content before formatting the hard drive for Wii U as this content cannot be recovered.

Please note that we do not guarantee the performance of the devices.

Specifications of these devices are subject to change, and there is a possibility that these devices may not function properly with the Wii U system due to a specification change.

Please contact the manufacturer of the USB hard disc drive if there are technical issues or problems with your USB hard disc drive.

Source: Nintendo


Amazon.com has listings for these hard drives on their website. You can check them out via the following links:

BUFFALO DriveStation Axis 1 TB USB 3.0 Desktop Hard Drive - HD-LB1.0TU3

BUFFALO DriveStation Axis 2 TB USB 3.0 Desktop Hard Drive - HD-LB2.0TU3

Seagate Backup Plus 1 TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive STCA1000100

Seagate Backup Plus 2 TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive STCA2000100

Seagate Expansion 1 TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive STBV1000100

Seagate Expansion 2 TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive STBV2000100

Toshiba 1TB Canvio Desk Desktop External Hard Drive (Black/Black) (HDWC110XK3J1)

Toshiba 2TB Canvio Desk Desktop External Hard Drive (Black/Black) (HDWC120XK3J1)

WD My Book 1TB External Hard Drive Storage USB 3.0 File Backup and Storage

WD My Book 2TB External Hard Drive Storage USB 3.0 File Backup and Storage


Nintendo notes that many of these products can also be found at these other online retailers:

- bestbuy.com
- frys.com
- sears.com
- walmart.com

Should you decide to purchase a storage device not on the list, here are a few things you need to keep in mind.

For a USB drive to work with the Wii U, it needs to:

1. be powered by an external power adaptor (a power outlet)
    OR
2. use a Y-cable to draw power from two USB ports on the Wii U

Warning about USB flash drives

Nintendo warns users that while the Wii U can detect USB thumb drives and flash storage, they are not recommended due to the fact that flash storage has a maximum number of reads/writes, which leads to data loss over time.

Storage Capacity

The Wii U will only read up to 2TB of storage even if an external hard drive has more space.

Source: Nintendo Direct

Nintendo announces official Wii U GamePad Accessory Set

Nintendo has announced an official Wii U GamePad Accessory Set, which includes a screen protector and an extra-large stylus. The set will be available for $12.99 on February 4. Here is the official description.

To ensure that Wii U users get the most out of their GamePad controller, Nintendo will be offering a Wii U GamePad Accessory Set to help owners protect their screens. The set will be available at stores on Feb. 4 for a suggested retail price of $12.99 and includes a Wii U GamePad screen protector that fits over the screen to protect it from scratches and dirt, an extra-large stylus for comfortable touch-screen game play and a cleaning cloth.

Source: Nintendo

Nyko unveils Wii U accessories

Nyko Technologies has unveiled a variety of accessories for the Wii U, including batteries with longer lives than the standard GamePad battery and the Pro Commander, an alternative to the Pro Controller which reverses the placement of the face buttons and right analog stick, giving it a layout almost identical to that of the Xbox 360 controller. There are a few other items which were revealed as well, and Nyko has issued a press release with official descriptions of each one. You can check out everything after the break.

Nintendo posts list of hard drives tested to work with Wii U

Update: Nintendo has updated the list of hard drives. Click here for article.

Original Story
Nintendo has tested a few hard drives with the Wii U and posted a short list of ones that have been confirmed to work with the system. Here is the info straight from Nintendo's website:


Buffalo DriveStation Axis
1 TB: HD-LB1.0TU3-US  
2 TB: HD-LB2.0TU3-US

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/desktop-hard-drives/drivestation/drivestation-axis-2


Toshiba Canvio Desk
1 TB: HDWC110XK3J1
2 TB: HDWC120XK3J1
http://us.toshiba.com/computers/storage/desktop/canvio-desk


Many of these devices can be found at these online retailers:
- amazon.com
- bestbuy.com
- frys.com
- sears.com
- walmart.com

These are not the only hard drives that will work with the Wii U. They are simply a few that Nintendo  themselves have tested, and they have posted quite a few disclaimers:

We will expand this list as more devices are confirmed to work with Wii U.

"To optimize performance and ensure a consistent experience, all USB storage devices must be formatted and configured for use with the Wii U console. Once a device has been configured for use with a Wii U console, it cannot be used with another Wii U console, PC, or MAC unless it is reformatted. Please be sure to back up any content before formatting the hard drive for Wii U as this content cannot be recovered."

Please note that we do not guarantee the performance of the devices.

Specifications of these devices are subject to change, and there is a possibility that these devices may not function properly with the Wii U system due to a specification change.

Please contact the manufacturer of the USB hard disc drive if there are technical issues or problems with your USB hard disc drive.


Source: Nintendo



Amazon.com has listings for these hard drives on their website. You can check them out via the following links:

BUFFALO DriveStation Axis 1 TB USB 3.0 Desktop Hard Drive - HD-LB1.0TU3

BUFFALO DriveStation Axis 2 TB USB 3.0 Desktop Hard Drive - HD-LB2.0TU3

Toshiba 1TB Canvio Desk Desktop External Hard Drive (Black/Black) (HDWC110XK3J1)

Toshiba 2TB Canvio Desk Desktop External Hard Drive (Black/Black) (HDWC120XK3J1)

Should you decide to purchase a storage device not on the list, here are a few things you need to keep in mind.

For a USB drive to work with the Wii U, it needs to:

1. be powered by an external power adaptor (a power outlet)
    OR
2. use a Y-cable to draw power from two USB ports on the Wii U

Warning about USB flash drives

Nintendo warns users that while the Wii U can detect USB thumb drives and flash storage, they are not recommended due to the fact that flash storage has a maximum number of reads/writes, which leads to data loss over time.

Storage Capacity

The Wii U will only read up to 2TB of storage even if an external hard drive has more space.

Source: Nintendo Direct

Update: Nintendo has updated the list of hard drives. Click here for article.

Wireless headsets can be used with Wii U if plugged into USB port

There's hope yet.

It was recently revealed that the microphone on the Wii U GamePad can't be used for in-game voice chat, meaning gamers would have to buy headsets on their own for that purpose. However, since the Wii U Pro Controller does not have a headphone jack, players will have to plug wired headsets into the Wii U GamePad, even if they are not using it to play. As some readers pointed out, wireless headsets might be a better alternative, and a representative from third-party manufacturer PDP has reportedly said that their Afterglow wireless headsets can be used with the Wii U if plugged into one of the console's USB ports.

PDP rep: "Afterglow wireless headsets are compatible with Wii U. If the game chat utilizes the USB port of the Wii U console then the AG headset can receive the chat audio wirelessly. If the chat audio is directed through the 3.5mm audio jack on the Wii U pad then user can plug in the provided chat/game audio cable. It depends on how the game / chat audio is designed."

Source: GoNintendo

SNES-style Pro Controller coming to Wii U

Australian retailer EB Games has posted a listing for a SNES-inspired Wii U controller dubbed the "Wii U Controller - SNES version." It is being manufactured by a third-party company, not Nintendo themselves, and has a price tag of $48 (Australian dollars). For reference, the official Wii U Pro Controller has an estimated price of $78 in Australia.

For those of you who are curious, you can check out the listing via the following link:

Wii U Controller - SNES version - EB Games

Source: EB games via uk.ign.com

Wii U Pro Controller available for pre-order

This news kind of came in under the radar but you can now pre-order the Wii U Pro Controller.  In case you don't remember, there was a shortage of Wii Remotes for months after the Wii launched. Given the high number of Wii U console pre-orders, this could certainly happen with the Wii U Pro Controller as well. Seeing as how it's a perfect fit for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, one of the blockbuster titles coming to the console, there could be some very high demand for the item. If you would like to pre-order the Wii U Pro Controller, you can do so via the following links.



Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller - Black - Amazon.com


Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller - White - Amazon.com


Wii U Pro Controller on Gamestop.com

Turtle Beach making Wii U headsets

Nintendo has its sights on hardcore gamers, and nothing says hardcore like good headsets. Turtle Beach, a company that's been making headsets for years, is collaborating with the Big N to bring a few new sets to the Wii U. What really makes these sets special is that they are also compatible with the 3DS, making them ideal for Nintendo fans. In case you're wondering, yes, they have microphones. The headsets come in black and white to match the official colors of the Wii U Deluxe and Basic Sets, and will bear the official Nintendo Seal.


You can buy them on Amazon via the links below:


Turtle Beach Ear Force NLa Gaming Headset - White

Turtle Beach Ear Force NLa Gaming Headset - Black

Rooster hat GamePad faceplates available for pre-order

I don't know either.

Amazon UK has listed a Wii U controller faceplate for pre-order, and all I can say is "wow." It is modeled after the well-known rooster hat of Maxwell, the protagonist of the Scribblenauts games. The faceplate was actually unveiled at E3 2012, but it was largely ignored by the media in favor of more important things, i.e. the features of the Wii U GamePad itself, along with the console's launch lineup. The question is, how many people will pay for a bulky piece of plastic that has no practical function whatsoever. Then again, the Wii had a ton of third-party add-ons for the Remote that resembled everything from golf clubs to fishing poles. The novelties undoubtedly generated some good revenue as I saw a number of people picking them up for their kids at the local GameStops. The rooster hat is currently priced at £15, the equivalent of $23.43 in the US. However, pre-order prices are notoriously inaccurate, so hopefully the MSRP will be lower. To be honest, I don't think anyone should pay more than $5 USD at most for molded plastic. Then again, if you're a die hard Scribblenauts fan, or you've got a thing for roosters, it might be worth it to you.

Image via Joystiq