One of the most anticipated announcements from the gaming showcase known as E3 saw Nintendo reveal details of its forthcoming console, due for a release in 2012. Dubbed Wii U, the successor to Nintendo’s popular motion-sensitive console will include a 6.2-inch controller only a bit smaller than a tablet PC. Digital Journal’s Holly Goodwin previously reported on this now-confirmed rumour.
Let’s say someone wants to watch TV while you’re playing a Wii U game. You can continue playing the game on the controller, which can moonlight as a handheld unit. You can also do play calls and see stats for sports games on the controller, freeing up screen space for the action on the TV screen.
In racing games, you can see front and rear-facing views at the same time. Prior to Wii U, gamers had to manually switch to different views and could rarely see both views at the same time, on different screens.
You’re supposed to grip the controller in front of you with hands on the left and right edges.
The device includes motion control, a microphone, a camera, and axis sensors. Games are displayed in full 1080p high definition video, a feature lacking in the original Wii.
The Wii U console will be backwards-compatible with all available Wii games.
Specific pricing has not been announced and Nintendo hinted the new console will be available sometime in 2012. Wii U was previously labelled Project Cafe prior to today’s event.
