It definitely looks like the WiiU remake has GI. That would be wicked impressive.
WII U x dolphin ?
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02-13-2013, 07:35 PM
[color=#1E90FF] Win32 XP Intel Xeon L3110 3.00GHz oc 4.00GHz 2GB RAM Nvidia 9800GT 512MB [/color] 02-16-2013, 11:47 AM
A plausible theory for the D-pads size is that it reflects the importance it serves in the overall control scheme. After the SNES, with the N64, the joystick began to take over as the main input for moving around in the game. The D-pad began to play a secondary role to the main stick and the c-stick, so it makes sense to change the size. The Wiimote focuses on motion controls, so the D-pad remains about the same size as the GC. The Classic Controller does have a larger D-pad however. The WiiU, of course, continues to reflect the D-pad's diminished role in gaming. Just an observation; can't say the same applies to Nintendo's handhelds, as I think the D-pad has been roughly the same size from GB to 3DS. I'll need to bust out my old GB Pocket to have a look
02-16-2013, 01:47 PM
(02-16-2013, 01:30 PM)Shonumi Wrote: A plausible theory for the D-pads size is that it reflects the importance it serves in the overall control scheme. After the SNES, with the N64, the joystick began to take over as the main input for moving around in the game. The D-pad began to play a secondary role to the main stick and the c-stick, so it makes sense to change the size. The Wiimote focuses on motion controls, so the D-pad remains about the same size as the GC. The Classic Controller does have a larger D-pad however. The WiiU, of course, continues to reflect the D-pad's diminished role in gaming. Just an observation; can't say the same applies to Nintendo's handhelds, as I think the D-pad has been roughly the same size from GB to 3DS. I'll need to bust out my old GB Pocket to have a lookthat is an interesting point about the evolving role of the d-pad. however, if it is going to be used for buttons as opposed to movement then i dont think the design makes sense. many games have utilized obsolete d-pads as extra buttons, but if the role has evolved exclusively towards that then we need to think about redesigning our controllers. buttons are simply easier to push because pressure can be applied to each side. really i see it as a totally useless addition to the controller if it is too small to use for retro gaming. to me the wii d-pad could have even been a little bit bigger if one of its main functions is to flip is on its side. and dude youve got to go check out the original gameboy advances. i had an original gameboy and the d-pad was like half the size. it really was a downer on the whole experience. i think i was traumatized by the dreamcast controller and the wii u controller looks frighteningly similar...
Sorry, I just feel like expanding on my theory a bit, indulge me if you will; I'm also getting a bit nostalgic
I don't have the original GB, just the GB Pocket and GBC. From what I can tell though, all three have the same D-pad size roughly, and neither is any bigger than the NES' (though it may be as big as the NES'). My sister has my GBC somewhere around in her room, but I can't go sneaking through her stuff at this time of night just to find it :p It's been years since I've seen my GB Pocket (it's stowed away in my closet) but I was actually planning on digging it out this weekend. For comparison though I do have an NES controller, original GBA (complete with cracked screen and missing batter cover ), Wiimote and a GC controller. Took a pic (with my 3DS): Spoiler: In light of my theory, you'd wonder why the GBA's D-pad gets smaller since it's the main way to input directions. The DS' smaller D-pad makes sense since the emphasis (for better or worse) was on touch. I think Nintendo wanted to maintain some sort of consistency with the feel of the controllers between handheld and console. The GBA and GCN weren't designed in a vacuum; Nintendo obviously meant for people to be playing both, if not individually then together (GBA<-->GCN connection, some early demos of using a GBA as a limited GCN controller). Perhaps the GC controller downsized first, and the design was brought over the the GBA. kingkongufulgus Wrote:but if the role has evolved exclusively towards that then we need to think about redesigning our controllers. buttons are simply easier to push because pressure can be applied to each side. really i see it as a totally useless addition to the controller if it is too small to use for retro gaming. Personally, I can "retro" game just fine with a D-pad or a joystick, but that's just me. Very few games that I play today (aside from sideways Wiimote games) use the D-pad often or utilize it fully. The last game I remember that actually made decent use of the entire controller was Xenoblade Chronicles with the Classic Controller. Since battles were dynamic (you could move with one stick, move camera with the other) the only way you could select attacks was by the D-pad. The D-pad goes quite untouched on my 3DS though. Nowadays, the D-pad is probably further marginalized by having it positioned near the left stick. Sure you can always reach down and tap it, but that means you stop moving, which may detract from the game's experience. Contrast that with right side of the controller, where any number of buttons can be pressed while still moving about in game. It seems to ensure that the D-pad has a more limited role in Nintendo's consoles and now even handhelds. Man, I should write a paper about this (that's the English nerd in me...) Perhaps we do need to rethink our controllers (but not what Sony has in mind for the PS4, oh God no). Thankfully Dolphin will always allow you to choose whichever controller you deem fit, as long as it works with the emulator.
Nintendo games don't use the dpad, because the dpad is unusable. Tons of games allow you to move around with the left stick, adjust the camera with the right, and scroll through menus with the dpad, at all the same time, and it works great.
Quote:Nowadays, the D-pad is probably further marginalized by having it positioned near the left stick. Sure you can always reach down and tap it, but that means you stop moving, which may detract from the game's experience.Use your pointer finger. 02-17-2013, 03:28 AM
I think Nintendo's last great D-pad was the original DS'. Now that was a comfortable D-pad. It's a shame they had to change it with the revisions.
Here's a bit of a comparison. RachaelB Wrote:Nintendo games don't use the dpad, because the dpad is unusable. Tons of games allow you to move around with the left stick, adjust the camera with the right, and scroll through menus with the dpad, at all the same time, and it works great. Your statement is a bit hard to parse, since you say the d-pad is unusable, then proceed to point out how games make use of it. I'm confused about the point you're making; a little more elaboration if you will :p In my experience, the D-pad can be used in a number of games as a replacement for directional input, e.g. movement can either be done via main stick or d-pad, and you can switch between either on the fly. For games that don't have this kind of setup and rely on the main stick, the d-pad is rarely used outside of a few actions (e.g. messing with the map/compass in Wind Waker, quickly switching weapons in TS2). Of course many games allow its use in menus, but that's not really much. RachaelB Wrote:Use your pointer finger. How? You mean my index finger should be moving the main stick while my thumb jumps down to the d-pad? Or am I some how supposed to take my index finger all the way from the left trigger down there while my thumb stays in place? Both are more than awkward. Realistically, the only free finger I have when gripping a GC controller or 3DS is my pinky, which can actually work with some practice. EDIT: For clarity, I've been exclusively talking about Nintendo's controllers (and I thought you were too, might as well disregard the first part of my post then). Playstation style controllers have it much better in design, since your index only has to briefly leave the trigger. Their D-pads haven't shrunk and still maintain a lot of use, or at least more than Nintendo's. Really, the position of the D-pad isn't optimal when it's lower than the main stick (360 controllers suffer that as well, as do the new WiiU Pro controllers). 02-17-2013, 11:33 AM
(02-17-2013, 03:57 AM)Shonumi Wrote: Your statement is a bit hard to parse, since you say the d-pad is unusable, then proceed to point out how games make use of it. I'm confused about the point you're making; a little more elaboration if you will :pI meant games that aren't on nintendo consoles. Nintendo does everything they can to make sure the dpad is never used (sup n64 controller which requires a third hand to use the dpad), but fortunately the other console developers don't do that. (02-17-2013, 03:57 AM)Shonumi Wrote:Move your middle finger to the trigger, index finger to the joystick, and thumb to dpad. No, it's not terribly comfortable, but it works well enough if you need to use both at once. As you mentioned it's much, much easier on a playstation controller, which is probably why playstation games tend to make greater use of the dpad.RachaelB Wrote:Use your pointer finger. |
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