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Best version of Captain Toad, Wii U or Switch?

Stopdoor

Stopdoor

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Oct 25, 2017
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I'll have to mention immediately for people who don't read OPs, but I have no issues at all with the Wii U or the gamepad controller. I just want to know what has the most "complete" control scheme and content.

I can't quite discern where people landed with the control scheme and stuff for the Switch version of Captain Toad - I heard in docked mode you have an awkward cursor pointer? Is handheld mode better and essentially equivalent in control to the Wii U game, or are there subtle differences? Does the second screen do anything of note for the Wii U version? Maybe the 3DS version is secretly the best version?

I think I heard the new levels are de-facto better than the cut content from the Wii U game, which was just tours of 3D World levels? Is that accurate?
 

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Wii U all the way. It's how the game was intended to be played.
Control scheme just doesn't work with only one screen. And the bonus content is mediocre in all versions anyway, so it doesn't really matter.
 

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Can't talk about the controls on the Switch version, but the cut levels in the Wii U version were dreadful. Literally just 3D World levels with ramps added everywhere, no fun at all. The Odyssey levels actually have time and care put into them.
 

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Stopdoor said:
What does the second screen do?
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When touching on platforms you can move them, or spin wheels, turn around some stuff etc.
All of that is done with the pointer in docked mode and it's just not very good to control. Plus the pointer never comes off and it automatically triggers whenever you move the controller because of the gyro.
There's also some neat tricks with the gamepad like going into FPS view through the small screen. All of that is pointless on Switch.
 
nStruct

nStruct

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Oct 26, 2017
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Having played both I would pick the Switch version. There is a cursor when playing docked but it's only used for specific puzzles, and even then you don't need to be quick with it so it's fine. Handheld mode on Switch is the best way to play IMO, and you get more levels with the Switch version.
 
aerie

aerie

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Oct 25, 2017
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I only have limited experience with the Switch version and I felt the controls were a tad awkward compared to the Wii U, but I wouldn't call them in anyway bad or cumbersome. I didn't think very much of the bonus levels from the original release, and have heard the additional Switch levels are pretty great, though I believe there aren't quite as many. The second screen on the Wii U version is used to interact with the various environmental switches (platforms, fans, etc.) as well as for a few first person sections. If it was a toss up between them, i'd go with the Switch version for the superior added content.

Though I don't think you can wrong with either, but do be sure to play it. It's a fantastic game, and was one of the highlights for me the year it came out.
 
javac

javac

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Oct 28, 2017
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What's the consensus on the exclusive levels of each version? Switch has Odyssey levels and Wii U 3D World ones right?
 
Samanosuke Akechi

Samanosuke Akechi

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Stopdoor said:
...did you even read the first sentence of my OP, or what?

Have you even touched both versions as a comparison?
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Yes, sorry.

I played the demo last week on all three available levels it offered. Maybe not quite an apt experience into the full game, but based on my short time with it, the controls worked just fine.

There is this weird motion sensing thing to aim with I didn't like. But since I don't have a Wii U or 3DS, it's all I got.

So for you, you'd probably prefer the Wii U version more. :)
 
Ceannaire

Ceannaire

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Dec 12, 2017
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Switch version is fine, but the pointer in docked mode is awkward but not unplayable.
I say it's ranked something like:
Switch Undocked == Wii U >>> Switch Docked
 
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Stopdoor

Stopdoor

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LordKano said:
When touching on platforms you can move them, or spin wheels, turn around some stuff etc.
All of that is done with the pointer in docked mode and it's just not very good to control. Plus the pointer never comes off and it automatically triggers whenever you move the controller because of the gyro.
There's also some neat tricks with the gamepad like going into FPS view through the small screen. All of that is pointless on Switch.
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What differences does handheld mode have with this? Since you can use gyro, touch, etc.
 
julian

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Oct 27, 2017
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I found the controls awkward in the 3DS demo compared to my Wii U playthrough. Definitely curious how this thread turns out. I was interested in double dipping.
 
Richietto

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Switch has good Odyssey levels instead of the proof of concept 3D World levels, so that one. The control scheme change isn't that drastic and it beats having to use the dreadful gamepad for Wii U.
 
Becks'

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I know that 3D World levels are available on Wii U while Odyssey levels are available on Switch while 3D World levels aren't.
 

Deleted member 42484

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Ive played both.

It's better on the WiiU. It's how the game was meant to be played, and certain things like the always-on-cursor and odd controls on the Minecart shooting levels feel kind of unintuitive on Switch.

The switch bonus levels ARE better.

If you play handheld, the control issues go away and I'd say go for Switch.
Otherwise, if you can, go WiiU.
But it's the difference of a 9.0 and 8.8. It's not a huge difference.
 
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Stopdoor

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Denman said:
Ive played both.

It's better on the WiiU. It's how the game was meant to be played, and certain things like the always-on-cursor and odd controls on the Minecart shooting levels feel kind of unintuitive on Switch.

The switch bonus levels ARE better.

If you play handheld, the control issues go away and I'd say go for Switch.
Otherwise, if you can, go WiiU.
But it's the difference of a 9.0 and 8.8. It's not a huge difference.
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If the handheld mode is essentially equivalent to Wii U, I might as well grab that one. Is there anything else lost in handheld mode?
 
Nights

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Oct 27, 2017
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I never minded the Switch's Docked Play and is basically mostly identical when played Portable to the Wii U version imho.

The extra levels in the Switch version are better, but its so few levels that it's not a big deal. They're more like actual levels instead of just tours of 3D World levels.

Either way you go there's really not much of a difference. I'd say go for the cheaper price of the three.
 
GingerbreadMan

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Oct 27, 2017
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I played most of the Wii U version, all of the 3DS version and the demo of the Switch version.

- The cut content from Wii U aren't great at all so you won't miss anything. The four Odyssey levels are great, but... well, they are four.
- Wii U version has two camera options and playing the camera is sometimes a little too far from Captain Toad, or a little too close. The Switch and 3DS version solve this by adding a in-between camera option.
- As LordKano said the game uses the touch screen and on Switch is a bit awkard. I mean, it's completely playable, but you can tell the game wasn't made for the pointer controll scheme. It's fine on 3DS.
- The 3DS version has a minor amount of levels simplified a little bit (the ones using the double cherry item from 3D World: you can have just 2 Toads, but that's not really a problem). On some levels you wish the 3DS had a greater resolution, although the owerall art style translated pretty well.

Overall there is no definite version. Watch some videos of the game on your TV, if don't think the camera of the Wii U version is a problem go for it.
 
Gartooth

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Oct 25, 2017
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In my experience with the game...

Switch > Wii U > 3DS

The Odyssey levels are superior to the 3D World levels. The control scheme isn't as elegant on Switch, but I found it to be pretty hassle free aside from a few actions like turning gears. The blue pointer icon is constantly present in docked though, so that may look distracting at first. Also the Switch/3DS versions have a mid-zoom camera option which was a huge QOL change compared to the Wii U's. The reason to go with the Wii U release would be if you want to experience the game in its original form on the Gamepad.

While the 3DS port is good, I would say to avoid it for your first time with the game. Camera controls suck on the original 3DS due to no second stick, meaning that moving Toad and the camera at the same time is awkward. The bigger issue though is that they had to scale back the number of enemies and double cherry Toads you could have on screen at once, which alters the experience of some levels pretty significantly from the original game.
 
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Stopdoor

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Like, I assume the game doesn't use the microphone on the Wii U gamepad? I know 3D World did. No one's mentioned it. Minor, but it'd be nice to note the difference.
 
JustTom

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I played through both versions (just finished the Switch Version like 15min ago :D)
The controlls are better on Wii U because of the two screens. It's way easier to handle touch levels.
However, I really enjoy the Mario Odyssey bonus levels (which is kind of why I bought the game for Switch as well).
Even though the controlls are better on Wii U, the Switch version isn't a bad game. It's like someone already said: 8.0 vs. 8.2.
 
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Stopdoor

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Gartooth said:
In my experience with the game...

Switch > Wii U > 3DS

The Odyssey levels are superior to the 3D World levels. The control scheme isn't as elegant on Switch, but I found it to be pretty hassle free aside from a few actions like turning gears. The blue pointer icon is constantly present though, so that may look distracting at first. Also the Switch/3DS versions have a mid-zoom camera option which was a huge QOL change compared to the Wii U's. The reason to go with the Wii U release would be if you want to experience the game in its original form on the Gamepad.

While the 3DS port is good, I would say to avoid it for your first time with the game. Camera controls suck on the original 3DS due to no second stick, meaning that moving Toad and the camera at the same time is awkward. The bigger issue though is that they had to scale back the number of enemies and double cherry Toads you could have on screen at once, which alters the experience of some levels pretty significantly from the original game.
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Well, when you say "experience in its original form", what's the added experience? Other than this camera option?

Comparing handheld Switch and Wii U version here, since obviously docked mode is different.
 
GingerbreadMan

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Stopdoor said:
Like, I assume the game doesn't use the microphone on the Wii U gamepad? I know 3D World did. No one's mentioned it. Minor, but it'd be nice to note the difference.
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It does for very minor easter eggs things, the actual gameplay doesn't use the Gamepad. Except maybe for moving the platforms with a fan under them, can't really remember.
 
Gartooth

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Stopdoor said:
Like, I assume the game doesn't use the microphone on the Wii U gamepad? I know 3D World did. No one's mentioned it. Minor, but it'd be nice to note the difference.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

The Wii U and 3DS versions use the mic with platforms you can raise by blowing into it. In the Switch version those platforms now move up and down in a regular pattern.
 
Secretofmateria

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Wii u, its fine on the switch, but the touch controlls undoubtedly make it a better experience
 

Nuclear Muffin

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Both versions are fine really, but I'd give the edge to the Wii U one. While the gyro pointer works fine for the game (and handheld mode has the original touch controls - sans microphone); I do think that the game loses something with the sections that actually rendered two seperate displays on Wii U (like the minecart levels), they were clearly meant to have you glancing back and forth between the two to get an overall image of the environment.

That being said, the Switch version is a fine rendition (and the resolution upgrade/portability is nice of course). The 3DS version also deserves a shout out for being made of pure black magic and absolute coding wizardry! Seriously! This port is incredible! It's probably THE most impressive game on 3DS!
 
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Stopdoor

Stopdoor

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Gartooth said:
The Wii U and 3DS versions use the mic with platforms you can raise by blowing into it. In the Switch version those platforms now move up and down in a regular pattern.
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To be honest this funnily might be the dealbreaker for me, designed gimmicks like that are much more worthwhile than awkward control concessions for another platform.
 
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Stopdoor

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Nuclear Muffin said:
Both versions are fine really, but I'd give the edge to the Wii U one. While the gyro pointer works fine for the game (and handheld mode has the original touch controls - sans microphone); I do think that the game loses something with the sections that actually rendered two seperate displays on Wii U (like the minecart levels), they were clearly meant to have you glancing back and forth between the two to get an overall image of the environment.

That being said, the Switch version is a fine rendition (and the resolution upgrade/portability is nice of course). The 3DS version also deserves a shout out for being made of pure black magic and absolute coding wizardry! Seriously! This port is incredible! It's probably THE most impressive game on 3DS!
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See, this is stuff I want to know - so the second screen is used for different viewpoints and other gimmicks?

It's such a pain to discern this stuff from people.
 
Gartooth

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Stopdoor said:
Well, when you say "experience in its original form", what's the added experience? Other than this camera option?

Comparing handheld Switch and Wii U version here, since obviously docked mode is different.
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I'll try to cover what I remembered...

Handheld Switch has you tapping the screen like the Wii U original, so touch controls are the same. The Wii U version has you blowing into the mic for certain platforms but they are automated on Switch. Both versions need Toad to spin wheels at points with the touchscreen, or do Minecart shooting sections, but in both cases the Wii U benefits from the dual screen experience. In that in a Minecart you get a 1st person view on the Gamepad and a 3rd person view on TV. On Switch you just use a button to switch camera perspectives, but it was always optimal to stay in the 1st person view. With the wheel, it's easier on Wii U since again you have a view on the Gamepad for spinning the wheel, and another on TV for still keeping an eye on the level. There's an overlay on the Gamepad and Switch touchscreen that can be distracting on Switch since you aren't able to get a good view of the level.
 

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it's complete bullshit that the switch version is missing four levels from the wii u version.
COMPLETE
BULLSHIT
 

Nuclear Muffin

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Stopdoor said:
See, this is stuff I want to know - so the second screen is used for different viewpoints and other gimmicks?

It's such a pain to discern this stuff from people.
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Yeah, any section that used the two screens in tandem now just displays the Gamepad view in the Switch/3DS version (though the 3DS version does have two seperate screens; the bottom screen is just a mirror of the top screen - it does fully support S3D though! And the effect is very nicely done here; it does actually help with judging distances!). Playing the Switch version is the same experience as playing the Wii U version Off TV. It's a bit of a shame, but the game is still fully playable regardless; you just lose a bit of the magic along the way.

Either way you're still getting (mostly) the same great game on any platform. All three versions are great and have their own unique merits (Wii U = dual screen sections and touch controls/microphone blowing on TV, 4 unique levels copy/pasted from SM3DW - Switch = resolution bump to 1080p, gyro pointer instead of touch for TV, 4 new levels replacing the SM3DW ones, microphone actions replaced by a button press, portability - 3DS = Nice S3D effect, 4 new levels replacing the SM3DW ones, portability, microphone blowing controls).

mazi said:
it's complete bullshit that the switch version is missing four levels from the wii u version.
COMPLETE
BULLSHIT
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It does make sense when you consider that it would mean porting over SM3DW's engine just for four, throwaway copy/paste levels. The four replacement levels in the Switch version are way better anyway.
 
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Stopdoor

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Honestly I'm leaning toward the Wii U version being more definite now, considering it does use the gamepad controller for some gimmicks that aren't even emulated in handheld mode Switch - a shame to miss those new Odyssey levels though.
 
Gotdatmoney

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The WiiU version is the best if you have the opportunity to play it there. Its pretty solid on other platforms though. Pretty sure there is both a 3DS and Switch demo to try.
 
Secretofmateria

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Stopdoor said:
I'm confused why people seem to forget Switch has a handheld mode with a touch screen and don't offer a comparison with that?
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Its harder to use the touch screen due to having to
Hold the heavier system with one hand, the wii u game pad was more ergonomic. Plus you could use the superior touch controlls and play on your tv, something you cant do on the switch
 
Polioliolio

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I played both. Now I have the switch version and I don't feel like I'm missing anything. On the contrary, there's a coop helper mode and new levels, so... Get that one.
 
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