<P> Off - TV Play is a feature of Nintendo's eighth - generation video game console, the Wii U. Like all video game consoles, the Wii U uses a console and a controller to manipulate an image on a television screen . The Wii U's unique feature is that its controller, the Wii U GamePad, has its own built - in screen for displaying images . It can display an entirely different image, or duplicate the television screen into the Wii U GamePad . Off - TV Play is the term used for when an entire game is played strictly on the controller, without the use of a television . </P> <P> The Wii U console was officially unveiled at E3 2011 in June 2011, where it was first detailed that the console's controller would feature a tablet - like touchscreen . Nintendo announced that a major focus of the console would be the ability to display the image seen on the television on the touchscreen, to continue playing the game if the television was needed for other uses, or the player needed to move away from the television . Official terms were given at E3 2012; the controller was named the Wii U GamePad and the concept of playing games strictly on its screen being labeled Off - TV Play . </P>

Can i play the wii u without a tv