The main feature Gamepad is its ability to create asymmetric gameplay, where one player has a different perspective or role in the game. Nintendo used its new social playground, NintendoLand to demonstrate how a player can be given more options by utilising the extra screen.
Asymmetric gameplay is not a new idea. My first experience with the concept was playing the original Mario Party, which included 3 vs 1 mini-games. A question only time can answer is whether games will be developed around the concept, or if it will be side-lined, only used in bonus multiplayer modes.
At the moment developers are using the extra screen for quick menu selections, so that the player doesn't have to pause the action to make choices. I expect the most interesting uses for the Gamepad will come from Nintendo themselves. Third party developers never really got the most out of the Wii Remote and it's likely history will repeat itself here.
Currently the expected battery life is 3-5 hours, with a 2.5 hour recharge time. Hopefully Ninetendo will provide the option to plug it into the console to save messing around recharging it mid-game. I have enough electronics that need recharging already, but I do appreciate the freedom a wireless controller provides.
Equally interesting was the announcement of the Wii U Pro Controller, essentially the same as the Gamepad's layout minus the screen. The Wii U can support up to 4 total, in combination with Gamepads. The design is visually similar to the 360 pad, which has probably be driven by the increase in cross-platform releases standardising controls. MadCatz revealed their own version of the Pro, which swapped the right hand button and stick locations to match the 360 design. Presumably this is based on selling to gamers who would prefer a familiar design layout.
Nintendo has already been able to get third party developers on board with the Wii U. Ubisoft showed off a trailer for ZombieU, which uses London as an interesting new setting for the zombie apocalypse. Surprisingly Batman: Arkham City Armoured Edition and Mass Effect 3 are being ported to the Wii U, currently expected around the console launch. Why someone would pick up Mass Effect 3 about a year after launch, on a console that doesn't have the 2 previous games is beyond me.
The most important factor for the Wii U's popularity will be its ability to continually attract cross-platform releases. This was an area where the Wii really lost out. It could all hinge on the graphical leap Microsoft and Sony make with their next consoles. If it turns out to be a small step, the Wii U could find itself in a similar position to the PS2; where it ends up as lowest common denominator graphically and therefore the platform of choice to develop for.
