I was the same! I thought, "How pointless and unnecessary does the Game-pad look". But my dad bought it for me as an early birthday present and I'm impressed with what it can do. I could also be used for chat, and the maps and menus, and even conversations with other animals! Or, the emoticon menu can appear so you can select an emotion as a reaction to what that villager is saying. I can't wait to see what it'll be like, but we have to wait another 5 years or so!