Hey all I didn't manage to get a hold of the game + gamecube controller + adaptor bundle so I picked up the game by itself and haven't opened it yet. I saw yesterday the bundle available on amazon so figured I'd return the game and order that bundle. After getting home from work late the bundle was sold out! :(

My question is, I have a pro controller (though only one so my friends are outta luck), so should I play with this, or do you guys find the good ole' gamecube controller to be so integral to the experience that I should not open this game, hope the bundle shows up on amazon again, and return my copy?

Probably it'd be okay for me on this thing since I probably sunk the most hours into the original with the n64 controller.

I organised a little Smash launch party last night with my buddies and did some 8 players smash with a single Gamecube controller adapter. Which means that we had 4 GC controllers, 3 Wii U Pro controller the game pad. We played all night and the general consensus was that unless you are really really REALLY into Smash to the point of bieng able to do all the advanced technical stuff in your sleep and could handle yourself at EVO or something, the Wii U pro controller is fine. Sure, if you're a long time Smash player, the GC controller feels more natural but the Wii U Pro controller is still great controller for this game. You can customize the button layout to your liking (I switch the shied and grab buttons).

I've been temporarily using the gamepad. Honestly, I've gotten really used to it. Works just fine.

There's no reason to use the GCN controller. Maybe you like how it feels in your hand or you're used to it, but it's far from integral.

If you put most of your smash bros. playing time into the N64 version, you really shouldn't have a problem with the Pro Controller. I personally prefer to use the GC controller because I've mostly played Project M on my wii with the GC controller, but I've played smash 4 with a pro controller at times and have had no issues.

Same here. The gamepad/tablet is great for me once I flipped how the R/ZR and L/ZL buttons worked. I just need to remember to use my name when I pick characters and I'm good to go.

How is the gamepad's screen when playing? I've been meaning to try it out so I can let other people watch TV while I play.

I really like the GC controller cause of the 8 gates of the controller. A lot of the time on 3DS, I would try to do up B and mess it up and get side B. Being able to feel the edges is nice.

I played a bit last night with somebody that used a 3ds as a controller and he said he was experiencing noticeable latency (more so, he said, than when playing 3ds to 3ds), which doesn't surprise me all that much. He tried sitting nearer to the Wii U and, not too sure how big an impact that made, but he stopped complaining about it and he did seem to start playing better. Still, it's entirely possible he just got accustomed to the latency.

The gamepad is more or less fine. It's definitely a downgrade from full HD and I would advise AGAINST trying to play 8 Player Smash on it (I did and it was tough to see what the hell was going on). Other than that, if I play on my tablet, I'll play 1 v 1 against a computer or online and it's more or less great. Playing it on a TV is still the best and preferred option though.

Played a bunch using the pro controller and it felt great.

I'm using the Gamepad right now because the adapters are sold out everywhere. It works really great and it actually very comfortable.