Wii-U thoughts so far

[Jamisonia]

It'd be sad if this ended up selling worse than the Gamecube though

That would be absolutely terrible. However, we've seen Nintendo is willing to take risks, so who knows, this current poor situation could result in something we can't even imagine.

[isiolia]

Judging from the games released so far, I would say they haven't built the system around it.

In the sense that the system is still functional without it, sure. Not all software is going to make much, if any use of it, just like not all Wii, DS, etc software fully utilized what that hardware had.

However, the Gamepad is still included with the system, and it costs money to build. Not sure how much, but considering that Nintendo's "sold separately" price was around $150 last I saw, and it's something like a $60-80 fee to exchange a broken one...probably not super cheap. By contrast, Nintendo sells refurb Motion+ Wiimotes with a nunchuck for $20 (well, on sale from $30).
Presumably, at least part of the decision for the Wii U's specs stemmed from the desire to include such an expensive accessory in the box. In that respect, I'd consider the system to be designed around it.

To be fair, most of the same could be said about the Xbox One's Kinect, though MS seems to have just shot for a higher price point than compromise system specs too much.

Personally, I'm not saying the system is dead or whatnot anyway. I do think they could have fielded a better entry for this generation had their focus been different. Second screen controls could have been a sold-separately add-on, or a client for other devices like MS and Sony have utilized.

[Jamisonia]

Above is where I'm at. Okay so Nintendo could have spent that GamePad money towards a more powerful system sold at a similar price point. Honestly a Nintendo system with comparable specs to the PS4/Xbox One, that included a Pro Controller and Wii Remote Plus at a price point beating the other two probably would have been killer actually.

But that isn't what happened. Okay so Nintendo is thinking outside the box with GamePad functionality. Also I think the GamePad is a not so subtle message to Apple, saying don't even think about making a console. That's great, you had to compromise console power to provide us this new and unique experience at a price point that still decimates your competitors, awesome Nintendo, that's what I love about you.

Okay, so can't wait to see these awesome unique games that the GamePad makes possible. And we're waiting, and we're waiting, and we're waiting.... um 3D world? awesome, core Mario title that... doesn't really use the GamePad at all.... Um Nintendo, what did we make this power compromise for again?

Okay Nintendo I get it 3rd party publishers just don't like you, I'm a Nintendo fanboy, I know how it goes, just give me some of your great games, show me this GamePad awesomeness... wait they're delayed.... again? You aren't meeting almost anything in your launch window? Tropical Freeze is after Christmas now? Um okay.... where is Bayonetta 2? Don't know... You guys are having growing pains with HD games?.... Jesus Christ.

[Reprise]

The best thing about the Gamepad is the one thing people hardly seem to mention. Simply being able to continue playing on the Gamepad whenever my partner decides she wants to use the TV (or vice versa). Honestly, that's the single greatest thing about it.

[ZeroAX]

The best thing about the Gamepad is the one thing people hardly seem to mention. Simply being able to continue playing on the Gamepad whenever my partner decides she wants to use the TV (or vice versa). Honestly, that's the single greatest thing about it.

How many games support that though? NSMBWU? VC games?

[RyaNtheSlayA]

The best thing about the Gamepad is the one thing people hardly seem to mention. Simply being able to continue playing on the Gamepad whenever my partner decides she wants to use the TV (or vice versa). Honestly, that's the single greatest thing about it.

How many games support that though? NSMBWU? VC games?

The only games that don't off the top of my head are Nintendoland, ZombiU, Deus Ex and like one or two others. Those are the only ones on my shelf of 15 games that don't let you play off-tv.

[Reprise]

The best thing about the Gamepad is the one thing people hardly seem to mention. Simply being able to continue playing on the Gamepad whenever my partner decides she wants to use the TV (or vice versa). Honestly, that's the single greatest thing about it.

How many games support that though? NSMBWU? VC games?

The only games that don't off the top of my head are Nintendoland, ZombiU, Deus Ex and like one or two others. Those are the only ones on my shelf of 15 games that don't let you play off-tv.

I'm sure Deus Ex does... I'm certain I've played it off-tv.

Of the 19 Wii U games I own, I'm pretty sure ZombiU and NintendoLand are the only ones that don't support it. Even Wii games support it now.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I'm sure Deus Ex does... I'm certain I've played it off-tv.

I stand corrected!

It didn't shove the option in my face so I guess I just didn't know about it.

Make that 2 games out of 15 on my shelf.

[alienjesus]

I only own 5 Wii U games right now (NSMBU, Super Mario 3D World, Pikmin 3, Nintendo Land and Wind Waker HD). Nintendo Land is the only one that doesn't have off TV play right now.
I adore the off tv play feature.

Speaking of Wind Waker HD, I started it up and have been playing through it the past few days. It looks awesome. I've finished up the Dragon Roost section and arrived in the Forbidden Forest dungeon. I'm liking the fast sail and the tingle bottles, but I think it's a shame the tingle tuner is gone when the game pad would be perfect for replicating it.

Despite adoring WW, I don't think I've ever beaten it twice, and I certainly never completed it (all hearts, all treasure charts, all figurines). Maybe I'll give it a go this time through.

[ZeroAX]

Ok I stand corrected then. I heard some people complaining that it's not in every game. I had no idea they were literally just bitching.

Though it's a bit sad there are so few games that make absolute use of it for gameplay features though