Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has offered bold praise for the Wii U's controller, naming the GamePad Nintendo's best input method ever -- for hardcore gamers. Them's some strong talkings indeed!

"This is the best controller Nintendo's ever made for making an FPS," he said. "This is the best controller Nintendo has ever given us for playing hardcore games."

The man whose studio is working on Aliens: Colonial Marines is pretty high on the 'Pad's touchscreen, too.

"With the Wii U they committed themselves to this promise. So the link is direct, fast and immediate. Things like SmartGlass and Vita, they appreciate the value of the promise so they're making the promise. But they're not in with such commitment."

I have to say, I really do like the GamePad from what little time I've had to play with it. It feels surprisingly not-awful in the hands. Can't really say if it'll stay comfortable, or how good it is for shooters, but I'm looking forward to seeing if Pitchford's right. 

Aliens: Colonial Marines' Xenomorphic perspective and Wii U potential [Joystiq]