Topic: Should Nintendo bring back the Gamepad?

The number one rule going forward with the design of the controllers for the new console should be "NO Touch Screens."

Nintendo shouldn't entertain the idea of putting a screen on their controller again. The WiiU is for gamers that want that. They can buy Zelda on WiiU if they want gamepad functionality. The NX needs to be a totally new (one-handed) controller interface as Iwata has said.

The NX should have its own controller and just be compatible with the Wiimote, GamePad, and of course, the GCN Controller adapter. Those should be optional. Though I do find it hilarious that it'd be compatible with a 3 generation old controller.

I would rather see the NX replace the Wiimote with a better motion controller. Then just being compatible with the GamePad and Wii U Pro Controllers would be needed.

I love the Gamepad, but let's face it: no one buys a Wii U for the Gamepad.

And there's an even bigger problem with both the Gamepad and motion controls: developers hardly bother with them. Which Wii U game best uses the Gamepad? ZombiU? And that's not even a Nintendo game. How many major titles took advantage of Motion Plus? (I can only think of three).

As much as I enjoy these features when they're well implemented, unfortunately, they just create a drag on potential software, and in the case of the Wii U, an increase in the console's price.

The NX needs its own feature--something to keep it from being just another underpowered PC that you plug into your TV--but it should be something more utilitarian. Something that every game can benefit from, but that you won't build a game around. That way, developers can simply focus on making great games, free from the expectations (and perhaps the confines) of some "gimmick."

Motion Plus wasn't used for the same reason no one used Kinect or Move. It was a peripheral. Only a fraction of the Wii's install base owned it, so 3rd party developers couldn't justify making games for it. The Gamepad isn't used because it wasn't designed with gameplay ideas in mind. It was designed with convenience in mind.

The feature you just described is the OG Wii Remote. Most games saw some benefit from it, without needing to be built around it. CoD sold surprisingly well on Wii. Why? Because the ability to point and shoot was a feature people liked.

The most useful thing the gamepad did for games was blend the convenience of a traditional controller with mostly functional gyroscope motion contols. The low latency game feed for 'asymmetrical' gameplay is something hardly anyone could find a fun use for. It has some practical application such as inventory management, but other than that the effort to make it something more was either not worth it or the ideas weren't there. For things such as playing a game or watching videos without using a TV the thing is great but other than that there are few games it's good for. So yes I do think it would be a good idea for it to be functional with the NX and they should be sold separately, but definitely shouldn't be a core controller for anything other than streaming from the console or multiplayer games.

As much as I like the GamePad, please no. It has been the source of more problems than actual innovations. Although I love the luxury of being able to play console games in bed or navigate the menu easily with the tablet-functions, it's not an essential piece of hardware at all, and soon after launch nearly everybody seemed to have stopped even trying to experiment with it.
Furthermore, I can't forgive Nintendo for refusing to make the GamePad compatible with the Wii mode, forcing users to pay to "upgrade" their VC purchases and crippling the WiiWare of a function (off-TV play) that should have been there for free.

Motion controls were really innovative and functional to the gameplay, whereas the GamePad is a luxury toy that makes your gaming experience more confortable but not necessarily different or better. Make it 100% compatible with the new system but don't make it the star because it's not that important of a feature.

sure bring it back, just make it a little bit slicker

And with a longer battery life

Gamepad was terrible to be honest. When you had to hold R or L trigger and pressing other buttons it just didn't work well unless you played on the smaller gamepad. A big difference. It was a big handicap and was a turn off. You can see this is really for soft gamers

I'd like it if the Gamepad didn't return. For most of the games I've seen, the gamepad features are either things that could be completely removed without changing any core gameplay, or could be displayed on the main screen.

Edit: Another issue is that the marketing for the gamepad has been very poor. There's people who don't understand the gamepad, and discard the Wii U becuase it's main controller is not a more traditional controller

Off screen play is popular with lots people using WII U. Ive got used to it as my wife watches tv and i dont wanna go in another room like a loner n play games. I think the game pad really does help gaming to become more sociable, and its actually another genius nintendo strike!

But aren't you still pausing the action to look down at the map on your controller, so would it make much difference? I mean, you can't look at both screens at once, so something's being paused regardless. In Hyrule Warriors for example, there's a map in the corner of the main screen, so you can see it instantly. If you want to see it full screen you press pause and it comes up in a split-second. It would be no quicker to look down at your controller and back up again. If anything I would say having to look away to a different screen rather than the one you're already looking at is slightly less convenient. Are there particular games where it's more useful?

No, not really. I'd be fine with it as a separate accessory, but... let's move away from the gimmicky controls focus for the NX. Just make a traditional system with a traditional controller and traditional games.

Yeah no. I prefer a non-stagnant industry, where I'm not forced to buy the same piece of technology over and over again because games are arbitrarily restricted to them.

The last thing we need is for video game consoles to become like cell-phone carriers.

I feel very picky mentioning this but no - looking down at a 2nd screen doesn't mean you're pausing the action. If you have ever played a sport game with a radar (be it onscreen or on a 2nd screen), you know that it takes just a quick glance and you don't need to stop playing to do so. Games where this comes incredibly in handy are Pikmin 3 or Splatoon for example.
Again I'm just being picky - it's a welcome feature but it's in no way essential to play anything. Many games on other systems have a map that can be activated by pressing select and it appears as an overlay, so again you don't even need to pause the action. The GamePad does a lot of nice things but none of them really matters that much.

If we're getting backwards compatibility (we probably are), then they have to at least make it compatible with previous Gamepads. I think they should sell them separately for the NX, maybe improve on it and add a 720p screen and make it more sturdy.

It should be supported, but don't mind if it's optional as long as there's a new cool control scheme I liked wii remote play, I liked Game Pad even better, they can surprise with something new. People think they should just have a regular boring console with dual analog stick action I guess.

It should never be used as a required controller again. Just supported as an extra controller like the Wii remotes.

I am hoping that it will be a hybrid home/portable console. You use the portable (essentially a DS) to control home console as well as take it on the go.