In our house, off-TV play is used more than on TV. The kids sit behind the sofa with the gamepad while we're watching TV. They're more interested in whether they can beat the ghost data on Rayman than how cool the game looks in HD.

My own personal experience and opinion of the gamepad was that it took some getting used to, not knowing whether to look at the pad or the screen. But now I'm used to it, I think it's great, and a real bonus that you can take it into the next room. My only complaint is that the range between the Wii U and the controller isn't quite long enough.

It's ok for little kids, but even that, I run into the problem of kids wanting to run out of the living room and that breaks the range of the controller. 

The best thing about the Wii U honestly is Nintendo has finally gone HD, and Nintendo games are finally free of being locked down to GameCube-level hardware (as they had been for the last 10+ years!). It's nice that Nintendo franchises can finally stretch their legs, it's like going from a regular sedan to a luxury sedan. 

I want no part of playing those games on a low quality, sub-HD 6-inch display. I waited a looooooooong ass time to play Nintendo games properly on my HDTV and those games are made for the HDTV resolution, not the Wii U screen (the streaming also has other issues too, like ghosting/fuzzy image quality, especially around Mario in both Mario games I find). Nope, I pretty much avoid off-TV play when ever possible. It's a terrible representation of all the hard work the artists have put into making the game. It's a dud of an idea as far as I'm concerned. 

Hopefully the next Nintendo handheld (Nintendo Fusion type device) has an actual decent quality screen on it, at least iPad 2 quality (c'mon Nintendo). 

I too enjoy holding something heavier and larger than a normal controller for the sake of being different.

I honestly just use the pro controller whenever a game allows me to.

Yeah so awesome, why play on a huge and beautiful TV screen if you can play on a smaller, less quality one?
Just like the remote play on the Vita, the best way to play PS4 games!

*irony mode off*
Seriously dudes, the die hard Wii U fans seem a little desperate. Just enjoy your console, but please don't try to make the holy grail of gaming out of it.

If it was USB charging it would take longer to charge than AC, so you would have short battery life and long charging time which is far worse IMO.

I think MatPat explains it quite nice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyXcr6sDRtw

I think the gamepad is a good device, but it failed to be visually appealing and to have the correct uses.

I am of the opinion that the second screen is just awesome for maps or inventory management without interrupting the flow of the game, but for motion controls? No.
The gamepad is confortable to use, but it doesnt look the part.

Most of all, it needs a redesign and refocus. Stop trying to make motion controls with it, or using it for something other than what its good for. Its pretty much like the DS second screen. When used to support the first, its good. When used for gameplay, its a dud.

Needs a redesign that makes it smaller so it doesnt look as daunting to the eye. Heck, make it pretty much a Vita in shape, but with triggers and you are all set.

A PS4 game looks great on the Vita due to the OLED screen.  The Wii Us screen is pretty low quality though. Off TV Play would be sweet on the Wii U if it would use the Wii U gamepad screen in Wii Mode and see it as a "pro controller" or something

I take it you have not used the gamepad? It 100% adds to every Nintendo game I have played. It is not ideal for the majority of games but well worth it for Nintedno games

After the success Nintendo had with the Wii Remote any main controller for their systems with analogs should be considered a step back.