The Wii U introduced the Wii U GamePad as its distinctive controller.
Nintendo released the Wii U in 2012 as the successor to the Wii. Its central feature was the GamePad, a controller with a built-in touchscreen that could display game information, provide an alternative view, or support play away from the television in compatible software.
The console also supported Wii Remote controllers and many Wii accessories, which helped connect it to the previous generation. However, the GamePad was not simply a tablet accessory; it was a defining part of the Wii U system’s design.
The Nintendo Switch later used a different approach, combining a console with detachable Joy-Con controllers and portable play. The Switch therefore should not be confused with the Wii U’s touchscreen GamePad concept.