http://www.nintendo-insider.com/2013/01/17/uk-wii-u-advert-banned-due-to-misleading-public/

'' “The ad referred to a number of features of the Wii U console and GamePad, including being able to shoot at the TV using the GamePad, switching gameplay to the GamePad if someone else wanted to use the TV and using the GamePad to zoom in on targets, enter key codes and interact with the surroundings in the game,” the regulatory body writes.

“The ASA considered that it would be clear to consumers that many of these features would not be available in all games. However, we considered that the option to switch gameplay to the GamePad controller could be available on all games, and as this was a new console consumers would not have an awareness of whether this was something specific to individual games or a general feature of the console. ''

It's not too late, Nintendo! Make off-TV play standard!

Man, the UK really cracks down on advertising sometimes. I remember them pulling the FFVII ads because they used nothing but cutscene footage. Here in the States, advertisers can say just about anything short of promising it will cure leukemia.

I remember reading about this a while ago. I think they made the best possible decision for there markets concerns. If advertised features are not in a majority of the systems capabilities any other selling point may misguide customers.

I wish advertising laws were like that everywhere. I can't stand misleading ads.

@I_smell said:

@frankfartmouth: Well y'know, it can only be a good thing. I think any ad depicting the Wii U as something worth buying is misleading, BOOOOOM!

I think it's definitely a good thing. I wish they'd do a little more of that out here.

@I_smell said:

I think any ad depicting the Wii U as something worth buying is misleading, BOOOOOM!

Oh snap!

@Cameron said:

I wish advertising laws were like that everywhere. I can't stand misleading ads.

Well, the Wii U does contain those features. There's really no reason to believe the system supports play-on-gamepad for every game as the ad never makes such a claim. Consumers should be held responsible to do a bare minimum level of research.

@ManMadeGod said:

@Cameron said:

I wish advertising laws were like that everywhere. I can't stand misleading ads.

Well, the Wii U does contain those features. There's really no reason to believe the system supports play-on-gamepad for every game as the ad never makes such a claim. Consumers should be held responsible to do a bare minimum level of research.

I agree, but, hey. We're talking about the masses here. I wonder if a small clarification like "Not all features may be available on all games" would suffice. Like they do for "online experiences may change" and stuff.

This is kinda old news.

@frankfartmouth: Well y'know, it can only be a good thing. 
 
I think any ad depicting the Wii U as something worth buying is misleading, BOOOOOM!

@ManMadeGod: Sure, that's true, they don't make that claim, but I can see someone being disappointed to find out that only certain games support one of the console's main features. I don't think this case is particularly egregious, but some video game advertising is pretty sleazy. Advertising games with anything but in game footage stands out to me as particularly sleazy.

The UK is for jerks.

I got an idea for an ad for Nintendo.

"With the WiiU, if someone wants to use the TV, all you have to do is stop playing, exit the game, swap the game disc in the WIiU console to one that supports off-TV play, and now you can play on the gamepad!"

"Just switch game!"

"it's so easy!"

"This is the future. Stop playing and swap game disc and start playing New Super Mario Bros Mii. SEAMLESS"

That's pretty awesome!

@ManMadeGod said:

@Cameron said:

I wish advertising laws were like that everywhere. I can't stand misleading ads.

There's really no reason to believe the system supports play-on-gamepad for every game as the ad never makes such a claim. Consumers should be held responsible to do a bare minimum level of research.

It does not say per game nor does it give that impression.

So there is plenty of reason. They are saying you can switch to the gamepad to play your games, but hardly any games actually support it.

What part of that are you misunderstanding?

I thought the Wii U had gamepad display for all games as a standard feature until this news sprung up.

@JoeyRavn said:

@ManMadeGod said:

@Cameron said:

I wish advertising laws were like that everywhere. I can't stand misleading ads.

Well, the Wii U does contain those features. There's really no reason to believe the system supports play-on-gamepad for every game as the ad never makes such a claim. Consumers should be held responsible to do a bare minimum level of research.

I agree, but, hey. We're talking about the masses here. I wonder if a small clarification like "Not all features may be available on all games" would suffice. Like they do for "online experiences may change" and stuff.

I kind of agree with both @ManMadeGod and you. An individual would be downright foolish not to do some rudimentary research on any major purchase these days, but Nintendo could have avoided this by just including a disclaimer of sorts. Overall though I would blame the consumers more than Nintendo in this case.