Pokken Tournament with Wii U Pro Pad Bundle Listed by GameStop

GameStop’s Wii U Bundle

In 2016, retailer GameStop created a listing for a special bundle centered on the Wii U fighting game, Pokken Tournament. This package combined a physical copy of the game with the limited edition Wii U Pokken Tournament Pro Pad, a controller designed specifically for the title. The bundle was presented as a complete package for players seeking an experience that faithfully mirrored the game’s arcade origins. To encourage early adoption, GameStop also included a double-sided poster as a bonus for customers who pre-ordered the bundle. This offering provided a convenient way for fans to acquire both the game and its specialized peripheral at once, ensuring they had the intended hardware on launch day without needing to make separate purchases.

The Arcade-Style Pro Pad Controller

The centerpiece of the bundle was the Pokken Tournament Pro Pad. This officially licensed controller, manufactured by peripheral maker HORI, was engineered to precisely replicate the control scheme and feel of the Japanese arcade cabinet. Its design is minimalist and focused, prioritizing only the inputs essential for a one-on-one fighter. It features a large, responsive D-pad for movement, standard face buttons (A, B, X, Y) for attacks, and two large shoulder buttons (L and R) for blocking and assists. The flat, wide body of the controller is meant to be rested on a lap or table, further emulating the posture of playing at an arcade machine.

Notably, the Pro Pad omits several features that were standard on other Wii U controllers like the Pro Controller and the GamePad itself. It has no left or right analog sticks, no ZL or ZR triggers, and lacks rumble feedback or motion control capabilities. This deliberate design choice strips away any potentially distracting or superfluous inputs, leaving a layout that is purely functional and precise for the specific demands of Pokken Tournament. The controller connects to the Wii U console via a long USB cable, ensuring a stable, lag-free connection that is critical for competitive play.

Unique Local Multiplayer and Its Limitations

The Pro Pad controller came with a significant caveat related to Pokken Tournament’s unique approach to local multiplayer. In two-player versus matches, the Pro Pad could only ever be used by the second player. The first player was required to use the Wii U GamePad. This unusual restriction was a direct result of the game’s dynamic camera perspective, which fluidly shifts between a traditional 2D view and a 3D arena view.

To preserve an optimal perspective for both combatants in a local match, the developers devised a solution that avoided a cramped or confusing split-screen display. Instead, the game utilized both the television and the GamePad’s built-in screen simultaneously. Player 1 would view their gameplay exclusively on the GamePad screen, getting a personal, behind-the-back view of their Pokémon. Player 2 would use the television for their own identical perspective. Because Player 1 was locked into using the GamePad for their display, any secondary controller, including the Pro Pad, was automatically assigned to Player 2. While an innovative solution to a complex camera problem, it meant that two players could not use identical Pro Pad controllers against each other. For those who already owned the game or preferred not to buy the bundle, the Pro Pad was also available as a standalone product.