Hardware Wii U Gamepad and Pro Controller

[GokuSSJBlue321Mystic]

So I just had a question. Can I use a pro controller in place of a gamepad if I don't have one for my Wii U. I'm buying a Wii U replacement console off of eBay and I have cords but no gamepad and I know the gamepads are hella expensive so I just wanted to buy an off brand pro controller to navigate and play the games. Main purpose behind this is I want to homebrew both the vWii and the Wii U itself and I don't have the money to spend $100 in total for everything

 

[RHOPKINS13]

I could be wrong but I don't think it will let you get past the initial setup without a gamepad. If it's already been setup, I think you'll be fine, but don't factory reset it or you could end up with basically a brick until you can get a gamepad.