Nintendo to Sell Wii U GamePad on Its Own in Japan

Reports came earlier this year that the struggling Wii U finally had managed to sell over 10 million units since its initial launch, indicating just how poorly the console was faring in comparison to Nintendo’s portable 3DS and the Wii U’s competition in the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. To view the Nintendo Direct video in its entirety, visit http://www.nintendo.co.zaNintendoDirect or go to Nintendo UK’s YouTube channel for the complete video and additional new trailers.

Nintendo has been very back and forth regarding the possibility of using two GamePads with its Wii U console. Basically the GamePad acts as a secondary display for the console, kind of like how the DS-series of handheld consoles has two screens.

There is no word as of yet if the standalone controllers will be put on sale in other regions. Nintendo did employ rotation based gameplay to a number of titles, including Luigi’s Mansion which encouraged sharing of the GamePad and not one person hogging it at all times.

For the first time, Nintendo is offering new GamePads directly through its website, for 12,800 Yen, which comes out to $104.65, €98.07, or £69.28. We now have no idea if Gamepads will be made available for purchase in North America and Europe in the future but we will let you know more about the matter as soon as possible so stay tuned for all the latest news.