No, you can use it anytime you like. It get's used most at respawn, but it's not limited to it.

Also, aiming with gamepad + right stick is much faster when you're used to it than you possibly can with just the stick; it actually gets close to a PC's mouse + keyboard in terms of speed.

I think they believed they could replicate the success of their DS (dual screen) handheld with a console. initially I liked the idea myself, but having got a WiiU when they launched it rarely felt right and I soon came to hate the thing.

No, but I definitely think they should make it smaller. 4.2~5 inch screen is still perfectly functional.

Combined with cheaper data transportation technology, it could reduce the price significantly.

Glad someone scored everyone on Splatoon and how it uses the past. There are a few games that used it will. Arkham City, Nintendo Land, and Pikmin 3 come to mind.

Just like the Wii controller basically WAS the Wii experience, the WiiU controller IS the WiiU. Even now, when I'm not even playing a game on the console, the controller is on my hand. I used it last night to post while I played my PS4. Never ditch it

Wait so just to get this right, you don't own the system or haven't even played the games using one of your friends systems? That would be like someone who has never used a PC before looking at one and questioning why it has a keyboard and mouse, I mean so few games use all those buttons, why not just drop the rest and leave WASD or better yet just use a classic controller?

This thread (albeit suggesting to lose the pad not loose it) has been done and done, it would probably be best to leave the critical thinking about a system to those who have at least attempted to play on it to some degree.

I think the gamepad is awesome and have enjoyed it since I bought a Wii U.  Now I understand that not everyone who bought one feels the same as me but I would wager most get some good use out of it.  There are also many people who think it is bad because the Wii U doesn't sell as well and even those who have never even used it who claim it is bad.  I just have one thing to say to those people....

I never thought the mini screen was a good idea, but I wouldn't compare it to a Kinect 2.0. I think anyone getting and Xbox without Kinect is just silly. I don't think the Gamepad with the screen has the same level of essential quality a Kinect does.

I know some people will disagree with me about the Kinect, but so what. It's like fighting using a mouse on a PC or two joystick on a console controller. There will always be dinosaurs, and they eventually evolve or die out.

No kidding. A couple of months ago we lost our TV remote and didn't even bother looking for it. We had the Wii U gamepad after all... it saved our mental sanity.

Several days after I found it... it was on the fucking couch between some papers I left there.

I have. It doesn't.