Well, it's been a long time since a Nintendo console and handheld system were able to function together. The Gameboy Advance was able to be connected to the Gamecube and used in some games (like Animal Crossing). Recently, that functionality has come back. In Super Smash Bros, you can use the 3DS and Wii U together, or at least transfer data from one system to the other. Actually, now that I think on it, I think the Wii and DS versions of Animal Crossing also had similar functionality.

At first, I thought the Wii U gamepad was a bit bigger than I expected, when it used it at the kiosk in Gamestop. Since then, I've gotten used to it and I like it a lot. I now turn on the Wii U using the gamepad and I use the touch screen to select the game I want to play and log in under my profile (instead of my son's). I've been playing Hyrule Warriors a lot and don't usually use the touch screen in game, though. I did try to co-op the game with my son, which put him on the TV and me on the Gamepad. That was a bit disappointing since I'm used to playing on the TV.

I'm glad you're enjoying your Wii U.

I've enjoyed the amiibo functionality that's on the Wii U gamepad. I think it's interesting that it came with that functionality before the amiibo figures were released. Every day I use my Link amiibo and my son's Mario amiibo to give me something in Hyrule Warriors. I usually get a weapon using the Link one and just about anything with the Mario one. Sometimes Mario gives me gifts that aren't that great, such as one day I got 1 rupee.

I've used the amiibo figures once on Mario Kart 8, I can't even really recall how that functions, I think it just unlocks Mii costumes. I've used my Link amiibo in Super Smash Bros. on the Wii U a few times, usually putting us on a team. I still have hardly played Super Smash Bros. on the Wii U, but I'll probably play it more when I'm done with Hyrule Warriors, which should be soon. After that, I'll be waiting for the Majora's Mask DLC.

Nintendo also announced new amiibo figures coming out soon. Toad is among them because he has a new game (which I think is already out). The article (link) I shared also states that more Marth figures will be coming out along with a new Fire Emblem game (for the DS, I believe).

I found a link explaining the lack of charger for the new system. It states:

Nintendo responded to our request for comment on why it was decided to leave the charger out of the box. According to Nintendo, it was a measure designed to save costs for consumers who may already own a 3DS or DSi system: "New Nintendo 3DS XL uses the same AC adapter as any Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo DSi system. Rather than raise cost of New Nintendo 3DS XL by charging consumers for a component they may already own, we are giving them the option to only buy if they need an AC adapter." http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/14/new-3dsxl-doesnt-include-charger-here-are-some-options

From another Google search, it seems that it will definitely compatible with all DS games, with some exceptions. See the following link: http://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/324/~/can-i-play-nintendo-dsi-and-nintendo-ds-games-on-nintendo-3ds-family-systems%3F

(My first ever Emoji usage.)

=) So, I beat you to a post! Hahaha. I'm not as up-to-date on hardware like I used to be, so I found some of this confusing, to a point. I re-checked my system specs and I'm sure my PC won't have any trouble with the game. I have an Intel Core i7, 16 GB of RAM, and a Geforce 690 (4GB). While my old PC was able to run GTAIV, it seems that it would not run GTAV, even if it wasn't dead. Speaking of GTAIV, I haven't tried playing it on my new PC.

I'm not yet done with Hyrule Warriors, so I'm not too concerned that GTAV won't be out until near the end of March. I feel like I can wait for it. Although, I'm eagerly awaiting for Terraria 1.3 and Starbound to update.

That said, I wonder how the PC version of GTAV might work with GTA: Online. Meaning, I wonder if PC users will be able to play GTAO with PS or XBox users. That would be really cool, but I kind of doubt it will happen.

Yeah, actually my "rig" seems about double the "recommended specs." I wasn't worried, really, but it pleases me greatly that my PC is still over-powered for an awesome game that's not even out yet. I seriously have no regrets about buying this awesome PC. For what I paid for it, it should be over-powered hopefully for a few years. It's really quiet, too! =)

I think GTAV will be awesome on the PC. It was cool to see the changes that were made for the next-gen consoles (PS4 and XBox One). The article (link) I shared in this post states: "This PC release will bring all the benefits of the most recent PS4 and Xbox One versions. That includes the first-person mode and an expanded soundtrack, and, exclusively for the PC version, native 4K support." So, yeah it's going to be awesome on the PC.

As for Red Dead Redemption, I loved that game. It is sad that it hasn't come to the PC yet. However, I seem to recall seeing something about a sequel coming. Yeah, check out this link: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rockstar-teases-red-dead-2-explains-gta-5-heist-de/1100-6424277/

Cool, I don't even know a thing about 4K (or any #K for that matter), except that it seems to be the new HD.

Cool, thanks for the info, Travis. It's crazy how technology is constantly improving, it's hard to keep up sometimes.

I just restarted Steam because of an update and I found the following news:
"PRE-PURCHASE BY FEBRUARY 1 AND GET $1,000,000 IN-GAME PLUS A BONUS $300,000 AND A BONUS GAME
Pre-purchase and get $1,000,000 in-game ($500,000 for Grand Theft Auto V and $500,000 for Grand Theft Auto Online).

Pre-purchase by February 1 and get a bonus $300,000 for Grand Theft Auto Online and a bonus digital download of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on PC.

Grand Theft Auto V for PC will be available for pre-load prior to release."

Are you going to pre-order? I think it's tempting, but I'm not sure if I will.

Actually, I think I probably will pre-order. Here's more info that I read more from Steam:
"EXCLUSIVE CONTENT FOR RETURNING PLAYERS
To reward loyal Grand Theft Auto V fans for playing on PC and experiencing a newer, more detailed version of Los Santos and Blaine County, Rockstar Games has an array of exclusive items specifically for these players returning from PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360 - with each of them connected to activities designed for them to experience the game's massive world in new and exciting ways. For more info about gaining access to exclusive content for returning players, please visit rockstargames.com/V/bonuscontent.

TRANSFER YOUR EXISTING GTA ONLINE CHARACTER
Existing players on PlayStation®3, PlayStation®4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One will be able to transfer their Grand Theft Auto Online characters and progression to PC. For more information, please visit rockstargames.com/gtaonline/charactertransfer"

http://store.steampowered.com/app/271590?snr=1_41_4__42

Oh and if anyone pre-orders the game (as I just did), here's a solution to the issue you will find when installing San Andreas. After pre-ordering the game, Steam will tell you that it wants to install San Andreas. However, if you're running Steam on Windows, you'll find an "invalid platform" error. To fix this issue, go to your Steam Library and click on San Andreas and click the "Install" button. It will work that way.

Sorry for the multiple comments that I could have posted in one or two.

I don't even really care about the in-game cash bonuses. I think it's cool to have San Andreas on the PC now. I played it on the PS3 and liked it, with a couple of exceptions. I HATED the mission called "Supply Lines." Although, I think I did better at it the second time I played it. I also couldn't seem to get 100% gang owned area, I only got 99%. It would be cool to have all of the other GTA games for the PC, especially GTA3. I really loved that game when it came out on the PS2. I spent tons of hours playing it when I was at Radford University. I also later bought it for the original XBox and liked that it could use the music I had stored on my XBox at the time. I can't recall if I was able to use my own music on the PS3 or PC versions of GTAIV. I wonder if San Andreas is like that, too.

You have some good reasons for not pre-ordering, Travis. I have plenty of money in the bank, so I don't mind that it's a $60 game. I think it's worth it, even though that's what I paid for the PS3 version.

Travis, did you play San Andreas or GTAIV with a controller on your PC? If so, did you enjoy it better than using the keyboard?

Cool, thanks for the input (no pun intended). I know I played GTAIV a little bit on the PC years ago and I know that I had to have used the KB+M, though I can't recall that experience very much. Now that I have an XBox 360 USB controller for my PC, perhaps I'll give it a try while playing these games.