this post was submitted on 08 Apr 2025
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GoldenEye on the N64 was the only game I'm aware of to have a control layout where you could use the left and centre prongs to get a proto-dual-stick experience
The WiiU's second screen is great for asymmetric multiplayer or an auxiliary screen for things like inventories, most games just duplicated what was on the main screen
As far as hardware gimmicks go, I agree that the WiiU's gamepad could've done so much more, I can think of so many different unique ways a game could've made use of it, like having two different perspectives or mini games like in GTA Chinatown wars.
The Wii U tried to bring the DS to console, but there was one major limitation that kept it from being used the way the DS was: human eyes cannot focus on screens at different distances from the eyes. The DS only worked because both screens were right next to each other.
The one thing the Gamepad could do that worked quite well and deserved to be explored more was asymmetric multiplayer. But at the same time, it felt like it was an era too late to be a big deal - giving players separate screens is something we can already do via online multiplayer.