Smash Wii U Is the gamepad necessary play this game?

[AQUAMARINE]

I'm considering buying a Wii U for just Smash only (...and maybe Mario Kart).
On ebay, used, and without the gamepad.

I'm wondering if it's possible to load the console and play Smash without having the gamepad. Launching the game itself, buying the game from the e-shop, adding people's NNID as well as setting up my own, configuring internet settings, etc.

I plan to buy a third party GCN adapter, will this work?
If not, I'm fine with an official Wii U Pro Controller- will this work?

Any addition problems I may run into?

Cheers, and thanks!

 

[pershona]

I don't think you can use the settings option in Wii U without the gamepad.

 

[A-money2121]

If I understand your message correctly, you don't need the gamepad to play Smash Brothers. You can use up to eight (I think) different controllers to play Smash Bros., including the gamepad, and move freely through the many menus of Smash Bros. So no, you do not need to use a gamepad for Smash Brothers.

However, to use the Wii U in other games or options, the Wii U gamepad will be necessary. So keep in mind, the Wii U gamepad is a necessity, so don't get rid of it (incase if you're wondering if the gamepad is useful, well, its necessary for several games and Wii U options).

In order to play with a GCN controller, you need the adapter, and a certain type of GCN controller. If I am correct, it cannot be just ANY GCN controller. I don't own the adapter, so don't take my word for it. And yes, the Wii U Pro Controller is compatible with Super Smash Bros.

 

[Supersmashbrothers.]

You can't change the settings with out a gamepad.
Trust me, I found out the hard way

But you do need the gamepad for the stagebuilder for Smash.

 

[AirJordans]

Smash 4 can be played completely without the gamepad itself, but in order to configure the TV settings you have to be able to use the gamepad a lot of times. I wouldn't recommend getting the Wii U without it.

 

[Ryusuta]

Nintendo cries every time a gamer wants to use a plain, normal controller over one of their overbearing gimmicks

They cry a lot, I think.

 

[AirJordans]

Nintendo cries every time a gamer wants to use a plain, normal controller over one of their overbearing gimmicks

They cry a lot, I think.

I really like that they are playing around with hardware, personally. It would be nice if the system wasn't completely reliant on it though, and of course I completely prefer normal controllers over the gamepad when it comes to Smash.

 

[UnownLegend]

I don't think you can use the settings option in Wii U without the gamepad.

This is the biggest problem you'll run into

 

[GhostUrsa]

If you need to get a GCN third party adapter, there are options available. I have the Mayflash one, and it works indistinguishable from the real thing from what I've found. (Now me trying to re-use the controller after falling in love with the agronomic of the Wii U Pro is a different story.)

As for getting a Wii U cheap, I'd go straight to Nintendo and get a refurbished one. They are 200 buck (or local equivilant), comes with everything you need out of the box, with a game or two and is checked by Ninty to make sure it's about the same as a new unit. I haven't yet found a deal close to is for a not-new item, used or otherwise. Use the gamepad for only what you have to if you don't like it (configurations and such), and use your prefered for everything else. Though if you lived in a shared space, you may find yourself using it semi frequently just so you don't have to share the TV. (If nothing else, you can stream to it in spectate or replay mode when you are studying other characters or critiquing your plays and still be mobile)

 

[Mario & Sonic Guy]

The Wii U GamePad is only really required in Smash Wii U to access the Stage Builder, along with the Trophy Hoard's photo studio. However, you still need it to utilize all of the Wii U's features.

 

[Greda]

Doesn't the Wii U setup require the GamePad? If so, this will be a problem.

Go with @ GhostUrsa and get a refurbished one.

 

[David Wonn]

As someone who uses the GameCube controller as much as possible with this game, I can confirm that you cannot use it exclusively for the following reasons:

Firstly, for console reasons:

1. Unfortunately it is impossible to start up the game (or any game for that matter) with the GameCube controller. The Wii U itself does not currently detect the GameCube controller for purposes of any menu navigation prior to starting up Smash, which is the only game that uses it so far. At the very least, without a Gamepad, you will still need either a Wiimote or Pro Controller (or perhaps some other 3rd party wireless controllers) in order to start it up.

2. Certain console functionality, such as TV settings mentioned previously, absolutely require the Gamepad at least initially, unless your TV happens to have the same settings as the prior owner. I personally wouldn't gamble on this.

3. Unless you plan on creating all your Mii fighters off of the few existing guests and/or whatever the previous owner had, the Mii Maker requires the Gamepad.

Now moving on to game reasons:

4. Amiibos require use of the Gamepad. You can certainly play Smash without ever using this feature, and no challenges require its use, but it is handy for farming in-game equipment, among other things.

5. Stage Builder requires the Gamepad. If you are a completionist, you need to make one stage.

6. The help menu [?] on the main screen can be started with a GameCube controller, but you will be stuck without resorting to a wireless controller.

7. Masterpieces are inaccessible with a GameCube controller.

Outside the above limitations, much of the game is playable using just a GameCube controller, assuming you have the means to start up the game, let alone display on your TV. I personally wouldn't recommend having a Wii U without a Gamepad at the very least. You'll need a wireless controller for other games anyway.

 

[Deleted member]

Wii U does have automatic resolution settings when you boot the system and you can use a wii remote for that, but outside changing the resolution that way, you can't go into the settings menu. Not being able to go into the settings menu means you can't setup online functions.

I'm not sure why they require the Wii U Game Pad for that screen as I've thoroughly look at all the settings, and nothing really warrants "you must use the game pad" outside of like TV remote and calibration, in which, they could have just set it up those options for that and leave the main system menu alone. The eShop use to not be able to utilize without the Game Pad until a much later update, so I honestly think the system menu being forced is some kind of Game Pad DRM so you can't have a Wii U without a Game Pad. Hope they fix it as it's silly.

 

[Raijinken]

I'd have sworn you can't even booth the game without the gamepad... Unless there's a way to reach point-at-the-TV-mode without the gamepad?

Edit: Oh right, classic controller and stuff. Still, best to have the gamepad.

 

[David Wonn]

Wii U does have automatic resolution settings when you boot the system and you can use a wii remote for that, but outside changing the resolution that way, you can't go into the settings menu. Not being able to go into the settings menu means you can't setup online functions.

Ah yes, the online functions are a good point as well.

As for TV auto-detection, I have never had this work when taking my system from my old CRT to someone else's newer HDMI setup and back. Each time I have to start it up with the Gamepad and manually change that, unless perhaps you mean it autodetects from one CRT to another or from one HDMI to another? Heck, even changing from HDMI to non-HDMI on the same TV that supports both never works automatically for me. Plus, I always have to readjust the screen size manually from one TV to another (and I force the stretched 16:9 on my CRT because I hate the wasted empty space and tiny characters.) For these reasons and others, it is hard to say how the original owner had it set up.