For all of you who just got the Basic Wii u Bundle, here is the charging cradle which you can place your gamepad in when you finish playing so its charged up for next use and doesn't get damaged lying on the floor.
Wii U Gamepad Cradle and Stand $9 @ EB Games
Does not come with AC adaptor, you use the adaptor you received with Basic bundle.
Still expensive for two pieces of plastic. More worth it to get the Wii u gamepad case for $4 at EB.
Actually the charge cradle is awesome. just sit it down and it charges no fiddling with plugs. Since the battery is reactively short this makes it easy to ensure when you put the controller down it is being charged.
Spartan gamepad docks are $4 plus comes with a wiimote battery.
Yeh couldn't find the official one so grabbed the Spartan one instead :P
So this uses the gamepad AC charger or is it one of the ones you share the console's AC with? I guess it it's official Nintendo it'd be safe regardless. I only ask because I had problems with a similar Wii charger which shared the AC with the console.
On that note, if we wanted a second charging cradle, does anyone have recommendations on compatible or genuine AC adapters?
where did you get the second gamepad from? didn't it come with a charger?
So this uses the gamepad AC charger
Yes, you plug the gamepad charger into the back of the cradle.
Cheers, will go grab one today if I can find a store with stock. :)
The Wii U Charging Cradle won't fit the gamepad if you have a silicone case on it…
Highly rate this. I thought it was a waste but bought one when they were on sale at JB Hifi and it really did make my cheapo Wii pack feel a lot better. It's nice seeing the Gamepad stand up and charge so easily by just dropping it in- that being said, given the infrequent use (haven't bought MK8 yet!) it does pick up dust alot easier than it did when I had it wrapped up inside a drawer.
I bought an Energizer charging stand for the Gamepad and two Wiimotes at christmas for $19, and then I realized that the gamepad will need to be charged roughly every 1.5 - 2 hours of play (Wish I was joking) so you'll never have time to let it sit and charge if you're playing in long stints.
Also you haven't bought MK8? You monster.
I hear you can buy the extended battery for $32.. Double the battery life.
Don't know what your playing but mine lasts about 4 hrs minimum playing Mario kart
I think he has been playing too much. After 500 charges the battery will need to be replaced.
It was pretty rough on Wonderful 101. But I do have to charge it every day. Provided I use it every day. Which is not always the case.
Replaced after 500 charges? That doesn't sound realistic. That is only 2 years of playing 4 hours a day. I've probably hit around 50 charges so far.
So you have only played your wii u for 50 different days?
I'll buy it when I'm back in Australia- currently working abroad :)
For anyone interested, I saw (at least) one more at Knox EB Games (Victoria) as of half an hour ago.
Also $9 in store if you can find stock. I got one ahead of my purchase of the Wii U last week and Woden, Canberra I believe had two or so left. Their stock wasn't on the shelf, it was all out back so it may be worth asking staff.