Double quoting thing doesn't seem to want to work, so...
"The only thing keeping this from a perfect A is that the wii u is designed in a way that often precludes actually using the dang thing."
If the game actually uses a second screen, you obviously have to use the Gamepad. More annoyingly, if you want to do anything with the Settings or eShop, you also need to use the Gamepad. However, if you just want to turn the Wii U on and play a game with the pro controller, you don't need to touch the Gamepad--you just have to know to press X to switch the displays of the TV/Gamepad screen.
I think the only real criticism of the pro controller could be that the triggers aren't analog, but that doesn't bother me, since I hardly ever play shooters or racers that require that sort of precision.
