I really don't like hating on Nintendo but sometimes they just make it so damn easy. This looks like the Vita had a tiny illegitimate baby and threw it away.
With the sleek and sexy feel of the DualShock 4 having been in our hands for a couple of years, this looks like a significant step backwards in controller ergonomics. A touch screen may work for a phone or handheld that you consistently look at, but for a controller that you hold while looking at a screen, there is something to be said for having actual tactile buttons so that you don't need to look down at your hands.
While it looks pretty sleek and futuristic, form doesn't always meet function, and that honestly just looks uncomfortable to hold and not ideal for console gaming sessions. I'm worried about Nintendo and their desire to be so different that they end up making bad products just for the sake of standing out from the competition.
While nothing's been confirmed yet, I wouldn't be shocked if this were true. Nintendo has a reputation for trying out crazy stuff when it comes to video game interfaces and whatnot. Remember the Nintendo 64 controller? How about the GameCube one? And yeah, the Wii as well.
Having said that, I have no clue how traditional games will work with this thing. I mean, there are technically no buttons, right? And it looks like something that will get dirty a lot just by people's hands grasping it.
I'll reserve judgement until I get to actually use one, but color me intrigued! Who knows? This might pave the way to how real-time strategy games, MOBAs and other PC-centric titles will finally be playable with a controller without compromising anything.
Yeah, I'm hoping this is completely false, as I have no clue how that kind of control pad/console would work.
It looks hella uncomfortable to hold, and I'm really not a fan.
I'm going to "Nope." right out of that one, if the leak is legit.