People say it all the time, but it DOES NOT make sense for Nintendo to abandon the gamepad. It's not setting the world on fire like the Wii remote did, but it's still what sets the system apart. Take it away and you really might as well just buy a PS3 instead. The gamepad isn't the most innovative thing in the world, but it's innovative at all, and it's a big selling point if they start using it right.
Yes, the system would be cheaper without it. But the system is going to get cheaper down the line anyway, and dropping the gamepad would increase sales now at the expense of sales later. You've got to look at the big picture. In two years when the Wii U is $250 and has a big heap of games, people are going to be happy they still have a gamepad to play with.
Currently playing:
Bloodbath Paddy Wagon Ultra 9
