Retro Studio's upcoming platformer does not make use of the Wii U GamePad in any novel way. In fact, it is completely blank when you're playing the game on the television.

According to a Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze preview by Nintendo World Report:

I do have to bring up is how the Wii U GamePad is used. If you are playing on the television, the touchscreen will have nothing displayed on it and it stays blank the entire time. There are no options to quickly select levels or see simple information displayed. If you are going for off-TV play, it is the same deal as nothing will be displayed on the television.

Of course, this was just the case during a preview event, so it's possible that this might not be the case in the final game, but with its release so close, there's a good chance Tropical Freeze will only support the GamePad insofar as allowing for off-TV play.

Might this be an indication of where Nintendo's thinking is headed for the future of the platform? After all, we know little to nothing about the GamePad features in the rest of the console's 2014 lineup. Sure, Mario Kart 8 uses the GamePad has a horn, but honestly, is that even worth acknowledging?

For our impressions of the upcoming Wii U exclusive, read our preview of DKC: Tropical Freeze right here.