Nintendo has introduced the world to the Wii’s touchy new big brother: the Wii U.
The Japanese gaming giant on Tuesday unveiled the Wii video game console’s successor, which will broadcast high-definition video and feature a touchscreen controller that can detect motion and interact with what appears on a television display.
“Up until now, home console games had to occupy the TV screen in order to be played,” Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said. “The new controller for Wii U, with its 6.2-inch [15.7cm] screen built in, means you won’t need to give up your gameplay when someone else comes in the room and wants to watch a TV program.”
Photo: Reuters
The white touchscreen controller, reminiscent of Apple Inc’s iPad and other tablet computers, can broadcast standard-definition video, but also features a directional pad, microphone, dual analog sticks, speakers, two pairs of shoulder buttons and a front-facing camera, which can be used to make video calls.
The console itself will use proprietary high-definition optical discs, 1080p HDMI output and internal memory that can be upgraded with USB and SD technology. No other technical specifications were provided.
The prototype controller was demonstrated during the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the gaming industry’s annual convention, in several ways: displaying a player’s inventory in a Legend of Zelda game; offering an alternative way to play a chasing game; and being used as a shield from incoming attacks in a first-person shooter game.
The controller was also shown being used to browse the Internet both on a TV and the controller. Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America president, said the touchscreen controller is not meant to be a portable gaming device and that the system is dubbed the Wii U because it’s “unique, unifying and maybe even utopian.”
Nintendo said the Wii U will be released between April and December next year and will be backward-compatible with Wii games and controllers, but the price for Wii U was not revealed.
The unveiling of the Wii U comes after two years of slumping sales for Nintendo’s Wii, which remains the overall top-selling home video game console against Microsoft Corp’s Xbox 360 and Sony Corp’s PlayStation 3.
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