![wii u gamepad wii u gamepad](https://images.nintendolife.com/e735873db2b93/wii-u-console-and-gamepad.large.jpg)
Why, when I had a great big television in front of me, would I stare at the tiny screen in my hands? I don't know. Only a few games support this right now, but I actually have a feeling it's going to be a big request from players around the world for future Wii U content.Ĭome to think of it, given the choice, I've been looking at the pad. You can even plug a headset right into the GamePad for personal audio. The massively multiplayer game Dragon Quest X will let you play on the pad, which will let MMO addicts get their fix for as long as they like – without bothering the rest of the family in a typical small Japanese home. There's a killer app coming for this feature, but right now it's only in Japan.
![wii u gamepad wii u gamepad](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/515IFkIn5AL._AC_.jpg)
You can power on the Wii U and start playing a game without ever, ever turning the television on.
#Wii u gamepad tv
In fact, you don't even need a TV period. (Anyway: Yes it's a new platform, no the controller is not the game system.)
![wii u gamepad wii u gamepad](https://cdn.gamer-network.net/2013/08/30/014157-Cross-Plane-Header.jpg)
I showed the GamePad to an acquaintance and he asked if "the games just go in here." The idea of a separate controller with a screen on it that takes video wirelessly from another source, but does not function by itself, might just be so alien to consumers that they can't wrap their heads around it. Perhaps there's something about the unique nature of the GamePad itself that throws people for a loop. Then again, maybe this is not a failure of messaging. Perhaps it's because Nintendo has put all of its efforts into showing and explaining the GamePad controller and has barely talked at all about the tech specs of the Wii U box beyond repeatedly noting that it finally outputs HD video, but many people seem to think that the company is introducing a new accessory for the legacy Wii console, not a new machine. I begin with this point knowing that a fair amount of you will think me belaboring the painfully obvious, but something about Nintendo's early marketing for Wii U seems to have confused the hell out of the other half of you.