havent you done this thread already a few months ago? Or was that someone else.

There is no point selling it without the tablet as the console was designed around it. to be the selling feature.

Not in the least. What is the benefit of such an offering? Most Wii U titles will be made, at this time, with Upad controls as part of the game in one way or another - offering a version without it would ruin that.

Meanwhile, the only benefit a system such as that would maintain over the 360 and PS3 is the motion controls (and if you factor in Move, Kinect, and the fact that the PS3 and 360 would be noticeably cheaper than a $250 Wii U, that benefit is weak at best)... and the people who care that much about motion controls don't care that much about graphics, so they'd just keep playing their Wii.

The Upad is key to the Wii U setting itself apart. Even with the Tablet-interacting capability of the XB1 and the PSV-interacting capability of the PS4, they cannot get the sort of low-latency experience that was created with the Upad, and so Nintendo has the definitive experience on that front... and that's before you factor in things like NFC, etc. In effect, just as the Wiimote was key to the Wii, the Upad is key to the Wii U.

On the other hand, there ARE things Nintendo can do to increase the perceived value of the system without a direct price cut - for instance, adding a game to the package without changing the price. They could also do something similar to what they did with the 3DS here in Australia (don't know if it was done elsewhere), where you get one free eShop download of one of a set of notable games (such as Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, etc). By being digital distribution, there's less need to modify the actual pack itself (just add a sticker to the box, nothing more required), and a wider array of games can be offered - no need to restrict to one single game.

No, just no. The gamepad is an integral part of the console's design.

TBH, I'd have to say that is what the software is there for. It shouldn't be the the controller that does that, but the software. The Gamepad could have been an accessory, like the Wii Fit balance board. But to create an entire console around it? Seems like a huge mistep.

Yeah but isn't that the irony of it?

Wii U would probably be selling better right now at $199.99 (basic) $249.99 (w/NSMBU) with a regular controller than at $299.99/$349.99 with the tablet controller.

So it's a console where the "selling feature" is hindering sales and not really bringing much in the way of game play change with it.

By this time next year, we could be looking at really only 4 games total that require the tablet controller -- Nintendo Land, Game & Wario, Zombi U, and Wii Party U.

There doesn't look like there's even going into 2014 from Nintendo or third parties that must use the tablet pad.

The whole point of the Wii U's attraction is the tablet. However, I can't say I wouldnt buy the Wii U at 250$ with the Pro Controller.

It's not so much the Upad itself, as what the Upad can do for games, that sets it apart.

Have a look at how much support the Balance Board has gotten, and compare it with how much support the Wiimote has gotten. Also compare Wiimote support with Move support. A bundled controller will get more support than an unbundled controller by a long way, and it's that support that is key to differentiation. The games sell the system. The controller affects the games.

Again, I think the opening point of this thread, is dealing with the idea that the games aren't really enhanced by the gamepad. In fact, every big game coming in the near future and perhaps distant future, is being showcased using the Wii Mote and Nunchuck. The E3 videos show Sakurai playing Smash with a pro Controller, DKC being played with the same config as DCKR, 3d World and MK also being played with the Wii mote. 

How much does the Upad really enhance a game? Off Tv Play? I can tell ya, the Wii mote really enhanced FPS/TPS. I don't even play FPS/TPS if it doesn't support the IR controls. If I ever buy a Wii U it wont be because of the Upad, but in spite of it. If COD Ghosts comes to Wii U and supports IR controls then it'd be on my list. 

The games I have my eye on are

DKC:TF

NSMBU

Batman AO/AC

COD BO/Ghosts

Mario Kart (maybe)

Smash Bros. (Prolly buy the system for this game alone)

All of these games can be played without the U Pad (a plus, but also makes you wonder why the Upad is there)

no tablet controller no buy (for me)

ps4 library, like vita, looks like it's 80% of titles that are multiplatform with existing systems and the few exclusives aren't compelling. of course, we've yet to see how ps4 does but I wouldn't say "sony learnt it".