Ever since E3 I've wondered about the worth of the Wii U Pro Controller. Sure it eliminates the screen and makes for a more conventional controller, but beyond that it never showed me anything amazing, but I remained fairly optimistic. With more recent news though I have to say the pessimist in me is coming out. Hearing that it doesn't even work with Mario or Batman, or some of the other games is disheartening to me. I understand a developers choice to make the games use the Wii U Gamepad to its fullest potential and in fact fully support it. On the flip side however I wonder just how much the Pro will be used or even be usable. I've heard great things about the feel of it, but still there remains a lot of negative stigma surrounding it with its lack of a mic jack or analog triggers. One might wonder if Nintendo might implement those features down the line later....... Regardless I have to ask is the Wii U Pro Controller really worth it at this time?

Only if you'd rather use it instead of a gamepad. It does a fine job for Sonic All-Star Racing, Assassin's Creed III and ZombiU, but it is just a regular controller.

It might come in handy if they ever bring the VC to the Wii U rather than having to switch to Wii mode.

The new Smash Bros. better support this thing.
I refuse to use a Wii remote and nunchuk to play.

I plan to buy one for more comfortable multiplayer. Outside of the gamepad, the only Wii U compatible controllers I have are Wi Remotes and the original classic controller. Both are terrible choices for Sonic Racing. Also the next few games I plan to buy use it so that's another high point.

I bought one but I really don't have a use for it yet. Hoping that will change in the future with more games or even Wii U VC games.

I use one when playing Black Ops II on TV. More comfortable for me to use that when on TV, ill use game pad when the TV is in use though.

I like it, its light and feels nice in the hands.

I see no benefit in using the pro controller when the Classic Controller Pro is more or less the same except that it's not wired to the Wii Remote (not to mention being half the price).

@sillygostly
Except the CC doesn't have clickable sticks, motion controls or rumble and is supported in less games than the Pro Controller. Looking at the eShop there's something like 100% GamePad support, ~70% WiiMote support, ~50% Pro controller support and ~20% CC support. I don't think there are any games that support the CC that don't support the Pro Controller.

I've been using mine quite a bit for stuff like Assassin's Creed III and Mighty Switch Force! HD.
Works really well and feels comfortable in my hands.
I certainly don't regret the purchase as I'm sure it'll come in use for many, many hours of play in the future.

@BenAV Make that at least 80 hours before needing charging again. I wonder if what Nintendo claimed is true, I mean yes it says on the Pro Controller boxs' description that it lasts for 80 hours on a single charge, but I'd like to see that put to work.

Man, If I get Injustice: Gods Among Us this controller is gonna be way better and comfier than the gamepad, well I'm gonna have to wait on that still... I haven't opened my Wii U yet since I'm still opening it on xmas day (its my xmas present to myself and I am rewarding myself that way, please don't ask).

I've probably been using mine for about 20 or so hours so far and it's still on three bars, so 80 hours sounds like a pretty plausible estimate.

Question: Does the Pro Controller run seperately or is it tied (always?) to the gamepad? I know it sounds like a silly question because I haven't opened my Wii U yet, but I thought I saw a video on youtube that showed someone having both controllers next to each other or connected in some way to work, might've had something to do with voice chat, but i'm not sure.

The Pro Controller just syncs to the console, just like a Wii Remote.
It was probably just the voice chat thing that you saw, because there's no headphone jack on the Pro Controller so you need the GamePad nearby for voice chat.

I'll get a pro controller with Rayman Legends. I'll want one for SSB4 anyway.

Apologies if someone mentioned this or answered already, but does anyone know if you have a classic controller or classic controller pro from the nintendo wii if that works in place of the Pro Controller? I know it would still have to be tethered to a wiimote, and possibly a wiimote plus, but if you have the controllers from the wii is that good enough if you don't mind the wire to the remote control.

Generally no. As was listed before, Pro Controller has some things the CC and CCPro do not, like clickable sticks.

I don't have a Gamepad but when one syncs it to the console (paired). Is there any icon on the menu showing the battery like how it shows the picture of a Gamepad and 4 Wiimotes?

I still haven't picked up my Wii U controller pro from GameStop... I'm not sure if it's worth spending $50 on either...

I'll probably get one in the inevitable monster hunter ultimate monster pack or something. Can't imagine that not happening...