Got WiiU without Gamepad

[bender3455]

I got a WiiU from a pawn shop without the Gamepad for 50.00.  If I get a pro controller, will I be able to play games (specifically Mario Maker) without having to get a Gamepad?

[amiga1200]

(nintendo FAQ board is bullshit, doesn't even get close to that specific of an answer, and web searches are failing. )
as it happens, somebody was looking into this very subject.
theirs was a destroyed optical drive as well. (results pending user response there.)
as you've already picked up the base unit, why not give it a bang anyway, fork out for the game and pro pad.
looked to see if touchscreen/gamepads are available separately, eshit. (nasty prices, keep digging for a deal.)
you'll run into some cfg issues, as when the wiiu is initialized for the first time (no user accounts/default/stock) it seeks the gamepad and handshakes with it.
the softmod scene is still early days, i'm watching it so my wiu can get cracked, fuck legit! 
you will be able to play wii games on either screen, or dual output.
...
there will be some problems on you end, but considering what i read here, this subject seems like a moot question at this point, (no disrespect) you got the base.
may as well try it out and document your findings.
good luck! 
FAQ/retail:

Code: [Select]

http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu/faq oh, gbatemp could possibly help?

[Arseen]

Some games do work.

But I believe that to make any console settings you are forced to use Gamepad (for no real reason), for example setting the internet connection, which is basically mandatory with Super Mario Maker (opening the additional pieces for the build mode), let alone uploading and downloading stages + new content.

You might be able to build stages using Pro controller, playing does work.

[wiggy]

Get a game pad. Without it, you're fairly screwed.

[bender3455]

Thanks guys!  Ok, so I hooked up the WiiU to see if it works. Tried in component mode, and the colors are in a gray scale, so I'm assuming composite was how it was configured.  Will try composite on a different tv tonight.  Good news is, it looks like it works, but I can see that I'm fairly restricted without a Gamepad, mostly in the settings.  It also had a copy of ZombieU inside of it.  It's a shame it wasn't Pikmin3 or something like that, lol.

[larryinc64]

why not call Nintendo to see if you can get one from them?

[wiggy]

They pop up on ebay all the time.

[larryinc64]

Yeah, but the going rate seems to be $150+

[TDIRunner]

Everyone I know who had needed to buy a replacement game pad has ended up buying a second Wii U. 

[Dr.Agon]

Weren't the Gamepads supposed to be available separately?
Whatever happened to that idea?

[TDIRunner]

Weren't the Gamepads supposed to be available separately?
Whatever happened to that idea?

Originally, I think the Wii U was supposed to support a second Game Pad which would mean Nintendo would need to sell them separately, but as far as I've seen that's not happening. 

[marioxb]

I got one on craigslist for 70.00.