Downloaded it this morning and it is great! Simple gameplay that can get quite intense at points, especially if you're fighting a particularly strong opponent Pokémon. Collecting all the Pokémon isn't all that simple as in some stages you have to satisfy certain requirements (which as of yet I'm not sure what they are) to activate the appearance of certain Pokémon. And in some sections, like the Safari Zone, the Pokémon you find in there will change from day-to-day. The absence of online multiplayer really doesn't bother me personally, but I can understand why it is seen as an opportunity missed. Especially considering they included it in downloadable titles like Dr.Luigi.

All in all, first impressions are really good! Very enjoyable puzzle game that I can easily see myself going back to again and again.

@Farmboy74 Thanks for the info man - my pre-order is in! Let the countdown continue!

Can anyone tell me whether they take the money for the pre-order upfront on the UK Nintendo Store? Or does it work similarly to other online retailers where they take the payment once the order is dispatched?

@JohnRedcorn But why would the game "not fit"? The Wii U is a games console is it not? It plays games in HD just like any other console. Why would the game "not fit" when other third party ports have performed valiantly and have been regarded as some of the best on the console to date.

Part of programming for the Wii U is surely finding a way to implement its main selling point i.e bringing in the GamePad. I'm just speculating based on the fact that a developer has come out with a very weak excuse as to why a game wouldn't fit.

It won't have been made from the ground up for all the consoles that it will be available for, so when would that ever stop a developer?

I am not disputing that they shouldn't bother putting it on the Wii U if it is not financially viable. My main argument exists around the idea that they should have the balls to say it in the press.

@unrandomsam This is the point though! I would rather see a game exist on the Wii U without any real utilisation of the GamePad if that is one of the things that is majorly putting developers off. DK:TF is still a fantastic game without the GamePad really featuring. If the GamePad is a nightmare for developers to work with, then come out and say it. If it is not a nightmare to work with but developers just don't want to have to work with it, then say that.

I think the GamePad is great and some of the games that I have played that use the GamePad really well have been a joy! (Rayman Legends comes to mind straight off the bat) But if it doesn't work for a game, then it doesn't work and omitting it from the gameplay mechanics is not a problem in my books.

It seems to me the real reason a lot of devs don't want to bother with the Wii U is because:

1) The console is not deemed a commercial or financial success.

2) They can't be bothered trying to incorporate the Game Pad into how the game plays.

As a Wii U owner who plays a lot of games using the Wii U Pro Controller - I don't see why devs don't just whack a map, pause screen or - heck - even just a logo on the GamePad if they can't be bothered working it into the gameplay.

Or, as some other comments have said before me, just be honest and say "This console is considered a flop and we don't want to gamble money on it!" I'd have a lot more respect than some wishy washy excuse about how the game "doesn't fit".

@Beta This is exactly how I see it! It's all hugely subjective though, so I sympathise with the people that feel disappointed. But in between what I get up to in my daily life, I wouldn't have time to plow through piles and piles of games anyway. The timing for releases across both consoles works perfectly and there's never a dull moment.