Wii U GamePad

"You can aim using the GamePad controller's intuitive motion controls, and even tap the touchscreen to Super Jump to an ally's location if you get splatted during the game. But your GamePad also gives you major intel with the Turf Map, which shows you where you've inked and where to go next."

- Splatoon's official website

The Wii U GamePad is the main controller of the Wii U. It is often denoted by the symbol.

Description
The Wii U GamePad has the same button layout as the majority of Nintendo's consoles, as well as two control sticks, a D-pad, a touch screen and a microphone. The Wii U GamePad is also the main controller in Splatoon, allowing players to use motion sensors and the and  sticks to aim, and the touch screen to view a live representation of the current playing field. Tapping allies' icons on the Wii U GamePad's touch screen allows players to Super Jump to them.

Features

 * Motion controls: By tilting the Wii U GamePad up, down, left, and right, players are able to change their Inkling's view and aim.
 *  and : The stick is used primarily to move the player's Inkling forward, backward, left, and right. The  stick, on the other hand, is used for more precise aiming, and controls which direction the player looks. Clicking it in will activates the players Special Weapon. The  stick is used a lot in menus.
 * : The button allows players to transform into squids. In this form, Inklings are able to move faster through their own ink and jump farther.
 * : The button allows players to splatter ink using a variety of weapons. In Inkopolis Plaza, this button is used to zoom in on specific landmarks.
 * : The button allows players to use a variety of sub weapons. These have various effects which range from allowing teammates to Super Jump to one's current location at any time, to a robot that tracks and tries to splat nearby opponents.
 * Touch screen: During battle, the touch screen shows a comprehensive, top-down map of the current playing field. This map is constantly updated to show every splatter of ink and the locations of all teammates, represented by small squid icons. When an enemy is under attack or tracked using a Sub Weapon or ability, their icon can also be seen on the map temporarily. Tapping a teammate's icon or a Squid Beakon allows players to Super Jump to that location. In Inkopolis Plaza, the touch screen shows a map of all points of interest, including the player. By tapping one of these locations or the tag associated with it, the player will instantaneously enter that point of interest. The touch screen can also be toggled to equip weapons and gear, view the current stages, view gear abilities, and more.
 * : The button causes the player's Inkling to jump.
 * : The button resets the camera angle, allowing for quick corrections. This feature is most commonly used alongside motion controls.
 * : The button is used in menus to select specific actions and options.
 * : The button is used in some menus to exit the current selection or action.
 * : Up and down on the is used for Signals. The  can sometimes be used in menus like the.
 * : The button is used to pause in Octo Valley Missions, the Battle Dojo and Recon Mode. It is used to go to the Equip Screen in Inkopolis Plaza and the Lobby. In Octo Valley it is used to go to the Power Up menu to purchase upgrades with Power Eggs.
 * : The button is used to read the Sunken Scrolls in Octo Valley.
 * NFC Pad: Used to read amiibo.

Inkopolis Plaza
While in Inkopolis Plaza, a shop, or the Battle Lobby, the Wii U GamePad displays content from one of four tabs, located on the right side of the screen: Map, Gear, Stages, and Options.

Map
The Map selection displays an overhead map of Inkopolis Plaza, with large icons denoting important locations. In the top left of the screen is a button that says "Lobby". When this button is tapped, the player is taken to the Battle Lobby. Similarly, an Octo Valley icon is displayed on the right, a Battle Dojo icon near the bottom right, and a Plaza icon that leads to Inkopolis Plaza in the bottom center.

Trivia

 * The Wii U GamePad can be seen in Sunken Scroll 26.
 * The Wii U GamePad can also be seen inside the Battle Dojo building.
 * The games from the Arcade Machine are played on the Wii U Gamepad.