Topic: Should Nintendo bring back the Gamepad?

Let's assume for the purposes of this topic that the NX is a home console.

If you ask me, they should continue support for the Wii U gamepad, and start selling it in stores. But beyond that, I see no reason why they should include it.

Nintendo developed the Gamepad without many actual gameplay ideas, and the Gamepad's utilization hasn't really really brought $100 of innovation and new enhancements ($100 is the approximate amount the Gamepad added to the cost of the system ($140 replacement cost)). That's not to say it doesn't add anything, or that it's a bad product, but I don't think it would be worth increasing the cost of the NX just to include it.

Nintendo should instead continue moving forward with new ideas, and focus their money in that regard.

What do you think? Should the Gamepad be included in the NX?

Yeah it did wonders for them.Every developer used it for unique features besides a stupid map. The gamepad is like the kinect great for normal things like searching through the Web going to the Eshop and using Miiverse ,but for gaming? Hell no so yeah bring it back for normal things but keep it away from gaming.

I really don't think they should, to be honest. The game pad really didn't seem to do much for the Wii U and was never really used to its fullest, and it actually may have hurt the Wii U instead of helping it. A lot of people were really turned off by the game pad as they saw it as clunky, useless, and gimmick. I personally liked it, but a lot of people struggled with it and really hated it.

If they do want to use it, I recommend they add it as a separate accessory that you can purchase separate from the system. That way people don't feel forced into using it, and can get it if they want it. The other thing they can do is majorly improve the game pad in order to make it more "consumer friendly", or in other words, so that it appeals to more people. Since that was one of its major problems.

That's a though one. Personally, I love the GamePad's concept, and only regret it's not been implemented to its fullest potential. (I want dual gamepad support and split-screen for Splatoon).
On the other hand, most people don't share my opinion. In fact, the GamePad is viewed as cumbersome and heavy by the uninformed masses. A few people I've heard saying they were considering buying Wii U but were afraid of that "handcannon" that comes with it. It has a bad reputation.

Maybe they should go with a more traditional controller for Nx like the Pro Controller (with analogue triggers and gyroscope, please), but make a smaller, cheaper version of the GamePad and sell it as a option. If the console is backward compatible with Wii U, they would need it.
Another thing that concerns me, what happens to the Wii remote and nunchuk controllers? Is Nintendo phasing out motion controls? I hope not.

"Besides a stupid Map" which is the sole reason i picked the WiiU version over other consoles with certain games.
Its just super conveniant, doesnt break immersion and lets not forget off-TV play.
If anything, the WiiU Gamepad should be a supported extra and not the main focus point.
Let devs decide if they want to use it or not themselfes and if anything, demote it to off-TV play duty.

So to go to the flip side for a moment, I think you are all missing one of the biggest boons of including a unique controller, rather than "selling it as an option". It gets used. Almost every Wii game and almost every Wii U game supports the Wii Remote and Gamepad. How many PS360 games support Move, Kinect, Remote Play, or Smartglass? Very few, the reason being that developers cannot confidently develop features for a tool that only has a fraction of the userbase of the platform.

That said, the reason I think it works for the Gamepad is that, like TwilightAngel said, it has a lot of non-gaming features. Many conveniences like Off-TV Play, navigation, co-op, etc. So even if no developer on earth develops unique Gamepad games, people will still find utility in the device.

@Samurai_Goroh I desperately hope not. Nintendo is the only one doing motion controls right these days. Sony and Microsoft have this ridiculous notion of "if you can't build your game around it, ignore it"

TBH I don't think I can deal with no gamepad as I wont be able to play Mario Kart as I burn through shows on netflixs.

I wouldn't mind a similar concept in the new controller, but I don't want a bulky, tablet wannabe with an unnecessary 6 in. screen. If we do get another touch screen controller, it should be roughly the size of a New 3DS XL.

You can't even buy a damn gamepad in a store, and the Wii U has been out for 3 years.

Nintendo won't make the same mistake of including a $100 controller with their next console.

The gamepad is dead.

hopefully it'll be compatible, though optional so haters can stop complaining
I love my gamepad!

I doubt making it optional will take much time for Nintendo.

I'd like for it to be, though. It's really a controller of vast potential.

Yeah because I love off-tv play.

I do love the GamePad and I wouldn't mind seeing it coming back, I think I would rather see the GamePad be what the Wiimote was for the Wii U. The next Console should take a step forward with Motion Controls and have the GamePad as a support device.

No. The gamepad has too many problems. It was a convenient thing to have for browsing Miiverse, the e-shop, etc. but it was never used much outside of that. In games, it was used mostly for maps; that's not a bad thing, but it doesn't justify the $100 price it adds to the console. On top of that, the gamepad not being sold separately was a pain, and repair costs were insanely high just to fix something small with it.

If the NX doesn't have the gamepad, I have to say I'll miss some stuff though. It made browsing the web on the Wii U such a breeze, and like I said before, it worked great for Miiverse. I can't see Miiverse being very fun to use with no touch screen. I still do think it'd be for the best if they dropped it though.

i don't think they should go back to that concept,
if Wii U failed with it since there not much 3rd Parties games on the Wii U, then its not going do any better with NX, it sorta well be in same solution as the Wii U is now, but Optional i think that would be ok

They almost have to have something that would function like a Gamepad. Think about it, if they're going to make backwards compatibility work (which given that the architecture is compatible with current gen consoles, is highly likely), how are you going to be able to play 3DS and Wii U games on NX? They need something to take advantage of touch screen gaming, gyroscopic controls, and the like.

Sold separately please

Sold separately please

No. I like the game pad and all,but I don't think it should come back. You can't buy it at the stores,I think everything will be brand new,and Nintendo probably wants to distance it from the NX IMO.