At its E3 2011 Press Conference, Nintendo finally revealed some details on their forthcoming HD console. The Wii U and its accompanying tablet-like controller will launch sometime after March 31, 2012, but we’ve got the first details right now.
Nintendo’s presentation spent very little time covering the Wii U hardware itself (which, in fact, was only displayed sitting next to a TV in one on the promotional videos), focusing instead on the system’s revolutionary controller. It remains difficult, for now, to describe the controller as anything other than iPad-like, though it certainly packs a generous amount of tech into it’s admittedly large frame.
The standout feature is obviously the 6.2 inch screen. Though it will be different from game to game, Wii U can play some games exclusively on the controller’s screen — indeed, a video demo showed a child who moved the game he was playing from the family TV to the Wii U controller. Other games may use the controller as a secondary screen, say for inventory items or maps, or even as a virtual window on the action occurring on TV.
The controller features a full compliment of buttons in addition to its touch screen and stylus, including dual analog joysticks, a digital pad, the traditional Nintendo face buttons, two shoulder buttons and two triggers. But that’s not all. The unit also includes a front facing camera, built-in speakers, and an accelerometer that allows for some interesting augmented reality possibilities.
Nintendo promises that the Wii U will be fully backward compatible with all Wii games and accessories, and to that end they showed Wii U trailers that included the Wii Remote, Wii Balance Board, and Wii Zapper. Perhaps the most striking combination was a golf demo in which the Wii U controller sat on the floor, showing the golf ball. A player took a swing with a Wii Remote and the ball went sailing off the controller screen into the TV. Very, very cool.
A number of games were announced as being in development for Wii U, including Lego City Stories (an exclusive), Darksiders 2, Tekken, Batman: Arkham City, Ghost Recon Online, Assassin’s Creed, Dirt, Metro Last Light, Ninja Gaiden 3, and Super Smash Bros., which is concurrently in development for the 3DS. Based on the footage shown, games looked more or less identical to their current Xbox 360 and PS3 iterations. A tech demo of a bird flying among blooming cherry blossoms was certainly pretty, but perhaps not the display of devastating graphical technology that many Nintendo fans were hoping for.
Nintendo has stated that at E3 2011, they are focusing on the 3DS and on the Wii U controller. We will, apparently, have to wait a bit longer to learn much of anything concrete about the actual Wii U system. Though that choice may well have been forced on Nintendo due to the state of software in development for the Wii U, the fact remains that the controller offers some exciting prospects for future games, and it is certainly the “hook” for the Wii U just as the original Wii Remote was for the Wii.
Though issues of ergonomics (how does it feel to hold that thing?) and price (those controllers don’t look cheap) have yet to come to the fore, Nintendo has got to be pleased by the reception to the Wii U controller. Whether the public and the industry, in the short term, come around to the name Wii U may be another matter.
Ranters, what do you think of your first look at the Wii U? Is it what you expected? What do you think of the controller? The name? Sound off in the comments below.
Stay tuned to Game Rant for more news and updates as E3 2011 continues through the week.
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pretty good, as it takes away the much of the UI from your TV and shows on your controller while playing games but the main question is its ergonomics and pricing. As with the games i dont see any promising title yet but as soon as they show the real power of Wii U in terms of its hardware i think ill be sold on it
I am certainly intrigued. But the ergonomics are a concern to me. I will be watching this system with much more interest in the days to come
This press release does nothing to assuage my fears for this Nintendo. Once again the controller is the focal point.
Oh and Jeff the reason the videos looked like PS3 & XBOX360 is because they are PS3 & XBOX360 videos. LOL
The videos they showed at E3 are from the PS3, XBOX360, & PC versions of these games to showcase games that will EVENTUALLY be ported to the Pii U. Figured you should know, maybe make a correction to the article.
Fair point, Dante, though I’d counter that right now, many people are making judgements about the power of the Wii U based on those videos – and Nintendo knew that they would. If Nintendo is comfortable representing the Wii U with those trailers, I think that speaks to the ultimate visual fidelity of the system.
That is very true and I assume calculated on Nintendo’s part but it begs the question, does Wii U really only have graphics on par with current generation systems?
If the system ultimately only has graphics on par with PS3 or 360 then it comes with a finite shelf life right off the bat. PS4 & 720 haven’t been announced as yet but we all know announcements breed announcements, and I would bet these next gen systems will steal quite a bit of Nintendo’s thunder – relegating them to **gasp** Dreamcast status.
Well the system right away would be cheaper then the 720/PS4. plus Nintendo has a long agreement period with ATI (Now AMD) which will further help reduce price.
Even if what you say is true about it being weaker (graphically) then the other systems, did it matter for the original or the PS2 or maybe the DS Vs PSP. my point being that at this point Games look amazing on every system provided the Developer puts the time into it.
I hope Nintendo learned with the 3DS that price is very important to the Hardcore and Casual alike.
What would be nice is if the controller had a removable screen to help cut the costs of replacing the controller for people who game hard and wear those sticks out. I know I do quite a bit.
I see you all ran a story that confirms my little comment, would Sony or Microsoft use Nintendo videos to sell their consoles?
I wish they had been more clear about the system in the press conference. I actually thought the Wii U was supposed to be an add-on to the Wii because they barely mentioned the console at all.
I haven’t heard anyone talk about the possibility of MMO’s on this controller. It will be perfect. Probably even more effective than keyboard and mouse. The hardware will be more powerful than current generation and developers have said they are unable to develop games to push current tech. Right now hardware is far ahead of software no need for a super powerful piece of hardware. Wii definitely changed gaming but Wii U will make gaming better for everyone not just casual or hardcore.
ITS TOO BIG!!!!!!
Best name ever!
Pii U
Wii on U
Just another couple of names I figured Nintendo ought to think of using.