In general the Gamepad is a great idea and decently implemented on the Wii U. However, it could be LOADS better then what we currently have in terms of usefulness. The wireless range should be longer, there should be some sort of multi-Gamepad support, batteries or some sort of better way to charge it and other features could have made the Gamepad into THE selling point of the system.
But reality is cruel and for the sake of cost effectiveness we have a system that probably would have been better off without it, since besides the convenience of off tv play so few developers including Nintendo seem to use it well. Hopefully the next system or systems will allow some of the Wii U features to survive and move to a more viable platform.
Meanwhile, I hope Japan enjoys Xenoblade Chronicles X a great deal so this franchise will get another addition in the future as well.
