Last week, Nintendo finally took the covers off of its highly anticipated Wii U console, revealing a U.S. release date of November 18th and two launch packages up for pre-order.
But what was surprising to many is that the company didn't detail any pricing plans for additional Wii U GamePad controllers. In a Q&A session after the reveal, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime stated,
"Through the launch window, there are no games that leverage a second controller. And so, during the launch window here in NOA [Nintendo of America] territories, we will not be selling at retail a second gamepad."
"But certainly, when the games come out, we'll be making that accessory available," he added. Since the unique GamePad controller is one of the console's most tantalizing features, it's a bit of a party pooper to learn there won't be support for more than one at launch.
Although the company is already offering separate GamePad sales in Japan, there still isn't a confirmed date when they'll arrive in the states. But in an interview with 1UP, Nintendo of America's Bill Trinen stated, "The dual-GamePad functionality, we expect to start seeing that in games sometime next year." So for now, it looks we'll just have to learn to share the GamePad while playing one of the many Wii U local multiplayer titles.