The Worst Video Game Controller This Console Generation - Rerez Talks

This console generation has three primary contenders. The Xbox One, The PlayStation 4, and the Wii U. I believe that one of these consoles has the worst video game controller to have come out in a long time.

P.S. Remember this is just my opinion. I don't outright hate the controller I've picked. However, I feel it's not up to the same standards as previous controllers from this company.

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Alex Pereira
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What is Rerez Talks:
This is a series of videos that has Shane from Rerez ranting and discussing things about the video game industry.

About Rerez:
Rerez is a YouTube channel presented by Shane Luis, focusing on video games. Presenting you the newest and strangest gaming and game hardware reviews, previews, and looking back at classic and retro games!

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[TheLonelyGoomba]

The gamepad is fine IMO... It's just the games use it very poorly. It might as well not exist. usually it's just wasting power by always being on.

[SakuraAvalon]

This is the first time I really disagree with you.
The placement? I've never experienced this as a problem. If you're taking your hand off the controller to use the touch screen, it's most likely in a part that doesn't require the right stick or button presses.

The Tetris comment, I've had my Wii U controller, and it's never once distracted me from the game on screen.  Unless it's using a gimmic, but that's less the controller's fault and the way it was implemented.

For all the negatives you've listed, the use of a touch screen for a key pad, for off screen gaming, for all the games you need a touch screen to play right, for the ease of getting an item from my gamepad screen and dragging it with my finger, rather than pausing the game and messing with my menu screen, and finally the  drawing implications for the Miiverse, I just cannot agree with you.

[GameSack]

Wholeheartedly agreed. The thing is also too wide. My hands are too far apart and it just feels... odd. The only thing the controller screen would be good for is playing DS games on the Virtual Console but even then it won't work well because you're supposed to see both DS screens at the same time in a lot of the games. I also don't like touch screens as a form of control. I wish Nintendo would stop innovating just for the sake of innovating. It's like they're saying "We have to be weird".

 Also, why are there TV buttons on it? They actually PAID to have those in the design.

[chadwardenc-wizzy]

Wouldn't call the Wii U gamepad the worst, just not utilized properly.

[RichardAllenSB]

I respect your opinion but I strongly disagree with you. I don't find the screen to be a distraction at all. In fact, I find that it creates a more immersive experience. A good example would be how Zombie U works. Having to look down every now and then to ping for zombie locations, inventory management when looting, and scanning rooms helps add to the tension in that game for me. How it works with Mario Kart is fine by me as well. Aside from it weighing over a pound, I think it's pretty ergonomic as well. My only major gripe is the battery life, so I bought a pro controller. Now that thing is a real gem.

[mileskilo]

said that this controller is worst of the generation. Meaning that of the three controllers that are on current generation controllers (Dualshock 4, XboxOne) this one is his least liked.
He never said it was the worst EVER. I'm sure a retro gamer like him is aware of the graveyard console controllers of the 90s.
Anyway, he did say that he likes certain features of the controller, does he hate the Wii U overall? No. If he does, who cares?
Rerez still made an interesting video despite me not agreeing with him. I quite like this controller and I love the console. So cut the guy some slack.

Just kidding, just spam him with obligatory angry comments and dislikes.

[NearChris]

I disagree overall, but I understand a couple of points you bought up here.

[evalonia]

The good thing about this controller is that you can play the game on the screen itself. So you can sit in any room of the house and play the game.

[Gameactive]

My biggest issues with the Wii U Gamepad are its short battery life (it’s hardly on par with the original 3DS) and the position of the shoulder buttons (along with the fact that they aren’t analog, but that’s another rant entirely). It’s comfortable for me to hold and use, it’s solidly built, and in my household, Off-TV Play and a built-in headphone jack are blessings thanks to everyone else in my family preferring to use the TV for something else.

[FalseProof]

Your argument doesn't really make a lot of sense.

Firstly, the Wii U Gamepad's screen can be used as a second screen to be used for off-screen play or multiplayer. Secondly, the placement of the controller is a problem that occurs in different situations; if you have smaller hands, it might be hard to handle, but I personally don't have any problems with it.

Lastly, I would say that there are worse controllers out there. The Wii U Pro Controller feels worse than the Gamepad. I don't really know why, it just seems very light, and the ABXY buttons seems underpar compared to the Gamepad's ABXY buttons.

[nqbs]

Not much of a commenter but I really wanted to give some feedback: 
First of all, let me say you have great production, your videos look and sound good, but I do have some complaints about the content. While you do have some good original ideas and I respect your opinion, that's the problem with most of your videos. You seem to put your opinion as fact. I think the videos would be much more enjoyable and make an actual contribution to the community if you just didn't say your opinion, but took more of a "devil's advocate" role, encouraging discussion, especially with your more controversial opinions. You could make follow up videos discussing the comments and other opinions, or as idea channel does it, talk about it in the next one.

Overall, I think your videos have great potential for discussion, bit the way you present them, makes it very hard for your viewers to do so.

[Strekks]

The video says the worst? Mmm, not so sure about that. The title certainly does come closer to that. But I'm not one to like it either, I think there's a few more glaring issues that were overlooked
.
I do find it uncomfortable, the dpad strains my thumb, and the same goes for the buttons on the right side. It pushes priority over the left and right stick, which feels more like a visual design choice versus a practical one, as most Nintendo titles don't place much emphasis on the right stick. I've got bigger hands, so it's surprising this is an issue for such a big controller. The triggers feel nice and the sticks feel really responsive. The D-Pad is a bit spongey, but nothing too terrible.

With the screen, it's just a pointless addition. I haven't found much use for it in many games, so it lies unused. I've never felt like holding one handed was a big deal, if a game was built around that being a feature, they'd just have to ensure that was something that worked ergonomically.

But I have to say any discomfort has been quite minor, so who knows. Xbone controllers nice as shit though, damn.

[ChaseFace]

For Mario Kart 8, I always keep the gamepad RIGHT under my TV on that little charging stand. It serves as an overview of the track, so I can tell when I'm in danger of being passed or what lap I'm on. When it's not far from the screen I'm already looking at, I can just glance down for half a second and glance back up without losing focus, and that's how I think it's best utilized.

I use the Pro Controller (which is WAY more ergonomic), and the gamepad is sort of a tablet with some extra info/features. I think a lot of game companies are integrating a second screen into their games these days. Xbox One and PS4 have tablet/phone support for games like MGS5 and Watch_Dogs, so I think Nintendo had that in mind when they designed it - they just didn't execute it in a very sophisticated way.

But to be honest, the MOST awkward utilization has been for New Super Mario Bros U, where you can tap the screen to make little platforms for the other players. *_Such_* a disconnect...

[BmanX]

I think the one thing you're missing is the off TV play, which I think makes the screen worth it. To be honest, the only games I've really used the screen and the TV at the same time is Wind Waker HD, because it made switching items super easy, and ZombiU, because it's pretty much required. But for off screen play, I think it's wonderful, especially for the Mario games and DKC.

[hristaki]

2:47
You mentioned only one reason - the screen. I know that's a problem but the rest of the features are very good. The buttons are nice, the D-Pad is responsive, the analog sticks feel great and overall the build quality is very good. Just the screen doesn't make it the worst controller in production or even a terrible controller. The worst is definitely the Dualshock 3.

[nintenjoel]

Damn dude. This is the first episode of your channel I have watched. Your show is soooo clean looking, well edited and you speak so naturally and with ease. You are definitely doing something you were meant to do. Keep it up! Also... yeah this whole wonky setup with the Wii U is why I haven't bought one. Subbed!

[deralmighty]

What about how comfortable the controller is to hold, or how easy it actually is to have both analog sticks on top? What about all of the other functions? 

Also, I never had a single problem looking at the screen while playing MK8. I mean, the Pro Controller is more comfortable just for its size, but you're also forgetting the fact that you can play games on the screen while using the TV for someone else, or from another room, even. 

[toesnub]

I can see how people might hate it for these reasons, but I like the controller. Plus, with not being able to reach the screen with your thumb, I think I know why they'd do that. If there's a game that uses the touch screen to activate something, you probably won't want to accidentally press it.

[CazMeister]

Oh, come now Shane, surely we can...

Find the Positives!





I have little experience with the controller myself, so I can't vouch for its comfortability.  What I will say is that there doesn't seem to be any game that justifies its inclusion.  It's convenient if you want to play your games while, say, a family member watches TV, but that's all I can really think of as far as its usage benefiting the player at this time.

[AllieRX]

It seems Nintendo tried to recreate the DS style of gameplay in console form, but it didn't quite translate too well.

The GamePad is also a complete 180 from the Wii's original philosophy. The Wiimote was designed to simply playing games. According to Miyamoto in an interview way back in 2006, he said controllers were becoming "too complex" so the Wiimote (and Nunchuck) were designed to be simple. Funny how they talk about that when 5 years later, they introduce this at E3 2011.