Prototype photos show an early look at the Wii U GamePad

So many cords!

Recommended Videos

The new installment of Iwata Asks is centered around Nintendo Land, but the real highlight has got to be pictures of some early prototypes Nintendo built when working on what would eventually become the Wii U’s GamePad.

The first prototype, described as “the start of two-screen gameplay,” was a Wii Zapper experiment which inspired the company to add a gyro sensor in the 3DS — Shigeru Miyamoto’s apparently insisted. Crude as the device was, it helped convey “the structure of Wii U — having a screen in your hands — and it became more compelling,” explained Nintendo EAD’s Takayuki Shimamura.

From there, the “handicraft team” at EAD put together a prototype more representative of the final GamePad. According to Shimamura, this one was “a monitor and controllers stuck together by double-sided tape.” Funnily enough, the column stresses the fact that EAD is not a hardware department. Don’t judge!

Nintendo Land [Iwata Asks via Tiny Cartridge]


Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Fortnite 29.30 patch notes: Billie Eilish Fortnite Festival, new Marvel crossover, more
Billie Eilish on stage during Fortnite Festival
Read Article Zenless Zone Zero is open for pre-registration, and over 30 million have already signed up
Zenless Zone Zero key art
Read Article Metaphor: ReFantazio locks in an October release date, showcases more gameplay in trailer
Metaphor ReFantazio date
Related Content
Read Article Fortnite 29.30 patch notes: Billie Eilish Fortnite Festival, new Marvel crossover, more
Billie Eilish on stage during Fortnite Festival
Read Article Zenless Zone Zero is open for pre-registration, and over 30 million have already signed up
Zenless Zone Zero key art
Read Article Metaphor: ReFantazio locks in an October release date, showcases more gameplay in trailer
Metaphor ReFantazio date
Author
Jordan Devore
Jordan is a founding member of Destructoid and poster of seemingly random pictures. They are anything but random.