Gallery: a tour of Nintendo Wii U and its many, many features
Nintendo just unveiled it's new console, dubbed the Wii U. As rumored, it will deliver 1080p HD graphics with a new tablet-like controller that features a 6-inch touchscreen smack dab in the middle of it.
Where the old Wii's big sell was motion control, it looks like the Wii U will leverage augmented reality gaming — something Nintendo is already playing around with on the 3DS — and have the controller play a very active role (more so than just swinging it around).
The controller will be able to be used as a secondary screen for the Wii U in a number of ways. You'll be able to use it as a scope on a rifle, for example, or put it on the ground to show where your golf ball is. You can also use it for supplementary materials such as maps or inventory screens. For less graphically intensive games, you'll be able to play a full game right on the controller or on the TV; your choice.
You won't be able to cart it around as a standalone portable, however. The Wii U console pushes video to the controller wirelessly, meaning it depends on the console to function.
It appears that all Wii controllers and peripherals will work with the Wii U, allowing you to play with all sorts of different configurations. Also, your drawer full of controllers will be even more cluttered.
There's no word on pricing, but expect the Wii U to drop sometime next year.
Via Nintendo
Kevin Hall contributed to this report.
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Your new Wii U logo. Go ahead and start staring at it now to get used to that whopper of a name.
Here's a closeup of the screen-equipped controller.
The controller with a sketch of Link on it (more on that in this gallery).
One last glamor shot of the controller playing a cutscene from Zelda pushed to it from the console.
You'll be able to make calls on the Wii U controller.
A video call, from the other direction. This will most likely be Wii U to Wii U, much the same way video calls can be made between Kinect users.
Augmented reality interaction also seems to be a huge push. Seen here: using a Wii gun attachment and the Wii U controller to snipe a Mii.
Another AR example: holding the controller up to the screen for some skeet shooting.
More AR: Sliding your fingers across the tablet-like controller will have you throwing shuriken at the screen.
An interesting application: set the Wii U controller on the ground as your tee'd ball, and use the Wiimote to golf like you're used to.
You can also draw on the Wii U controller much like the DS before it, though it looks far more robust.
A closeup of the drawing functionality. This sketch was then pushed to the TV.
In fact, there's a lot you can push to your TV. Seen here: watching a video of a bird. And, with one swipe... (continued in the next image)
...What you're watching on the Wii U controller can be shared with everyone.
You can play on the Wii U controller continuously as a portable unit or on your TV. It's not a true portable, however, as the image is generated by the console (meaning you can't take it on the bus).
You could sort of browse the Web on the Wii, but it was pretty unwieldy. With the Wii U, it looks like the controller will give the system some much-needed functionality.
Seen here: tablet-like gesture controls enhance the TV Web browsing experience.
Setting the Wii U controller down between you and a friend could allow you both to play a game on one controller.
Nintendo's old Wii peripherals may all be compatible with Wii U. Seen here: using the new controller to push vitals to you while using Wii Fit.
The Wii U controller could also display different information while playing a game, like the second screen of a DS. Seen here: Link's inventory in Zelda.
A diagram of the Wii U controller. Looks like it'll have an accelerometer and a gyroscope.
Several peripherals from the Wii will carry over to the Wii U.
While you can walk around with the new Wii U controller, you won't be able to take it out and about like, say, a 3DS. The new console unit pushes video to it wirelessly.
