Topic: Is the Wii U pro controller guaranteed to be supported during its life span?

Of course I know till be worth it when smash is released.

Im interested in buying a used one without the gamepad and I ask is the gamepad tablet thing a necessity to enjoy the console to the fullest? I was planning on buying the console and the pro controller but im afraid of support for the pro controller running out? If that makes any sense.

also what would be a great starting game to get for the Wii U im thinking 3dland?

The Gamepad isn't too much of a necessity today compared to 2012. All Wii U games except for maybe a small few like ZombiU and Nintendo Land support the Pro Controller. It should be able to work for future titles like Splatoon and Zelda. As for games you should start with, 3D World and DK Tropical Freeze are some nice titles to start with.

There are some games the pro controller simply won't work for. That being said, for 90% of the games out there, it works just fine, and Nintendo simply isn't going to drop it for some random reason.

There's plenty of great games, and it depends entirely on what your preferences are. What types of games do you like?

You still need a Gamepad though or you can end up in that situation where you cannot do the Gamepad update so you cannot use it at all.

I'm confused so if i don't do the gamepad update I cant use the pro controller?

Does that even work, a Wii U without a GamePad? (Can you even buy one without a GamePad?) That would be like trying to play a Wii without using the Wii Remote. I know several levels of Super Mario 3D World require the GamePad.

It baffles me that some people dislike a controller to such a degree, that they are willing to find every possible way of avoiding it. It works the same as a Pro Controller, and feels the same as a regular controller as well, just with a touch screen.. Just get a Wii U with a GamePad if you want a Wii U.

Well apparently I just read that they don't sell the gamepad separate well that sucks.

i dont think you can manage data without the gamepad, anyone correct me if im wrong

Obviously, because the Gamepad is essential to the Wii U.

Look at it this way, 3 out of the 4 major Nintendo titles for this fall and holiday season are geared more towards the pro controller than the gamepad (to be specific, Hyrule Warriors, Bayonetta 2, and Smash).

I think Nintendo realizes that not everybody loves the concept of the gamepad, at least in comparison to a smaller, more conventional controller. Nintendo will probably continue to walk the tight line of supporting as many controller configs as possible while also trying to showcase the advantages of the gamepad....................so no, I don't think pro controller support will be ending soon.

You need the gamepad to access the Wii U system settings.
So the gamepad is essential.

Hopefully they patch it soon, like they did for pro controller support in the eShop.

The Gamepad is the standard controller for the Wii U, just as the Wiimote was the standard controller for Wii. Quite a few eShop games only works with the Gamepad, but 1st party titles usually have support for the Pro Controller (currently, the Lot Check doesn't demand Pro Controller support). I find it very likely that the support (where it makes sense) for the Pro Controller will continue in future 1st party titles.

There are quite a few titles where the Gamepad is needed (even when it's not required) for the full gameplay experience, such as Pikmin 3, Lego City: Undercover, Rayman Legends, Zombie U, Zelda: WW, Nintendoland, Deus Ex (and also lots of eShop titles). And when browsing Miiverse/eShop/etc, the Gamepad is great.

Mario 3D Land is a 3DS title.
Mario 3D World is an excellent Wii U title. It has great local multiplayer. The first half is more of a party game, the second half is much more demanding. There are many more, and they are all probably covered in the recommendation thread.

I think the games you mention are more comparable to Tropical Freeze, aimed towards the "core gamer". OTOH, I doubt there will be Pro Controller support for "Mario Maker", and I would think that the Gamepad will be required for "Kirby and the Rainbow Curse".