I own one. I like it a lot. I actually like it much more than I did the gamecube back then.
The Wii U games I have: Mario Kart 8, Super Mario 3D World, NintendoLand, Rayman Legends, Zombi U, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD
The Wii U Virtual Console games I have: Earthbound(Mother 2), Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda
Getting it now:I would say it's worth getting now just to play Mario Kart 8 and other games like Shovel Knight, Super Mario 3D World, Wind Waker HD, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate.
Mario Kart 8 is definitely one of the best Mario Karts. IMO, it's better than Wii, double dash, and 64.
Honestly, I have trouble deciding which games I should get because it has been getting more great games recently from indies. They added gba virtual console games too.
Getting it in 2015:Otherwise, if you wait later in 2015, it would be a much more greater value. You can get Xenoblade Chronicles X, the new Legend of Zelda game, Splatoon, Smash Bros. , maybe Bayonetta 1 + 2(it comes in 1 package), and some good games that came out in 2013 and 2014.
GamePad Use:The gamepad isn't totally useless. The best use for it is off-tv play. It's a feature that allows you to play console games with just a gamepad controller, console,and power brick. It makes the Wii U sort of a semi-portable home console. There's a huge value in playing games comfortably on your bed, other rooms,hotel rooms with tvs without hdmi inputs, airports, and anywhere with an outlet.
This can be done for wii games and virtual console games played on the wii u as well.
Having a movie play in the background and playing Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands on the gamepad is amazing! Multi-tasking is fun.
If You Get One There's an option to transfer virtual console games on the wii to the wii u.
N64 games don't transfer. I recommend transfering some VC games or none so you can play one virtual console game on the gamepad and another virtual console game on the wii on a tv at the same time. It's amazing!
Or wait until N64 games can transfer to make a final decision.You can't transfer VC games back to the wii.
Worth a Read:There's this article from Kotaku:
http://kotaku.com/wii-u-review-update-2 ... 1601718713Edit:
N64 games do transfer.