I have probably actually played the system 10 hours or so.
Free Online was a large factor, if Nintendo charged for online I would not be getting a Wii U if they charged for it. This is the reason I will more than likely never get an Xbox One
I have played Zelda Wind Waker HD for probably 8 hours and the game is absolutely brilliant. (9/10 so far)
The Wii U controller absolutely adds to the immersion, looking down to see a real time map is a much bigger deal than I ever realized. The Wii U controller is also much more accurate to use than say a PSVita, but I still do feel that it would not add to 75% of games. I believe it actually hurt New Super Mario 3D World as I would have preferred a controller that was not so heavy.
Off tv play works very well but the range is seriously lacking, It barely works when I go in a room across the hall. I have heard things like this before but I thought people were just exaggerating but they are not and this is absolutely the case. But I feel it is a better in home handheld than a PSVita overall as long as you are in the room with the Wii U. (Better than the PSVita because it is more accurate)
I played Super Mario 3D World with my GF and her brother and his wife last night for probably around 2 hours and we laughed more during that time than I can ever think of laughing during a gaming session, this game is also very fun but I think with 4 people playing coop that there is a bit to much going on and the game would actually be more enjoyable with 2 player coop. (I have yet to play 2 person coop to test this theory)
Now I am going to examine a Wii U controller vs a DS4. The DS4 is more accurate and feels better that is the bottom line. BUT the Wii U controller is more than accurate enough for the games people buy Nintendo consoles for and it adds enough to some games that I feel it was not a bad decision by Nintendo. But if they put people with DS4s vs people with Wii U Gamepads the DS4 people on average would destroy the Wii U users (in an FPS)
The Wii U is a very clunky system to move around, it has a rather large power brick for the actual system and a smaller power brick for the Gamepad. Add that with the motion sensor and it is by far the most annoying console I have ever moved. I move my consoles every week (I have a residence I am in during the week and another I am in during the weekend) and I can tell it is going to be far more of a hassle than the PS3 (super slim) and PS4 I move every week. The Wii U form factor is very nice though, it is smaller than my PS3 super slim and is also quieter which is a plus
The Wii U has the best web browser of any console. Period
The Wii U feels to me like it is half a generation above the 360 and PS3 and half a generation behind the PS4 and Xbox One. It is very unique vs the PS4 and Xbox One, and I think most gamers should heavily consider getting it as a secondary console. Being backwards compatible with Wiimotes is a large plus as a good % of people will not need to buy a 2nd or 3rd controller due to already having them.
I will make a more detailed assessment in a week or 2 when I feel I am completely familar with the system. So far there is no way I would buy this system over a PS4
but PS4+Wii U = :)
If you have any questions you want to ask me about my experiences fire away. I tried to be as fair as possible and point out as many things as possible
EDIT: I forgot to mention that the Wii U gamepads battery life is not very long. I have not timed it but it died on me before a game session was over (starting from a full charge) so I am estimating it at 4-5 hours
I am also not completely satisfied with the battery life of the DS4 (about 8-9 hours) I have a 10 foot micro usb cable I charge my controllers with while I play
