Wii U GamePad could serve as second monitor for local multiplayer

Nintendo has spent a lot of time touting Wii U's ability to create new asymmetrical multiplayer experiences. However, what if you want some synchronous symmetrical multiplayer--like the good ol' days? Wii U will be able to do that as well, and could do away with "split-screen" gaming entirely.

The Wii U GamePad also doubles as a Wii sensor bar. That means one player could play on the TV, aiming his or her Wii Remote. The other player could be facing a different direction, pointing a different Wii Remote at the Wii U GamePad, which serves as a (tiny) television.

A patent unearthed by Nintendo World Report shows the various ways two gamers can play multiplayer with both a Wii U GamePad and a TV.

The GamePad and Wii sensor bar could be placed next to each other, if two players wanted to sit side by side. To ensure the Wii Remotes don't get too confused, "the system can rapidly alternate activation of each sensor bar." Additional players could be added to this set-up, provided there are additional GamePads.

Nintendo hasn't shown off this multiplayer method in public, and it seems potentially cumbersome to implement in real life. But hey, this would be a very Nintendo approach to throwing LAN parties.