I think its a really really cool idea but it is not where it should be when it comes to execution. While I don't want to see games with the gamepad tacked in meaninglessly, I do want to see more "This can only be done on Wii U" stuff, like ZombiU, some of Rayman Legends and parts of W101...
EDIT: I would also like to speak about the difference between a controller as a secondary control scheme vs as a primary control scheme. This is a topic that was debated a lot with the Wii and it has continued just as much (if not more) with the Wii U. Many people say that the gamepad should become the secondary control scheme as opposed to the primary control scheme (aka, not bundled with the console) BUT this presents a huge problem and essentially nullifies the point of having a unique primary control scheme in the first place.
Developing games specifically for secondary control schemes. That is the problem. Think about it...why should any developer or publisher develop a game that makes use of a secondary control scheme in a meaningful way when the majority of potential consumers wouldn't even own that controller? Making the WIi U gamepad the secondary control scheme limits the one thing that makes the Wii U stand out and essentially prevents almost all future games from doing interesting things with the gamepad.
As I said above, Nintendo hasn't really proved the worth of the gamepad but I can see there is plenty of potential and so can many other people. Destroying all of that potential and admitting defeat is not the way to go. They need to take the initiative and demonstrate the potential of the gamepad which I really hope to see them doing in the future, with things like the NFC game that will be announced at E3 and other announced/unannounced games coming late this year and in 2015 (and beyond)
Also, the Wii U is already pretty darn cheap at $300 and that includes a game too. That in and of itself is a pretty good deal when compared to other current gen consoles. The problem isn't the price, it is the fact that Nintendo has been having problems communicating to consumers why they should want the console (and the gamepad). While "mainstream/casual" appeal will likely never come in the way it did with the Wii U, that doesn't mean Nintendo can't turn things around and make the Wii U into another Gamecube. A lot of people think of the Gamecube as a failure but it actually made Nintendo money because they made some smart decisions and made some great games. Demonting the Gamepad to secondary control scheme would not be a smart decision because it would limit creativity and eliminate the main unique feature of the Wii U.
