Nintendo E3 2011 Presser: Wii U, The Tablet-Controller Successor
The Wii U, a Wii with more powerful (and 1080p HD) graphics and a New Controller which looks a lot like a fancy tablet computer. The controller is the thing, and Nintendo are hoping it makes their new console more personal, for you… U… get it?
The console is due out next year some time, and there’s nothing other than tech demos that Nintendo are showing at E3 or up on stage. There was a lot of talking about how we should think about the possibilities though. And there are plenty of those. This new controller has a bucket-load of features: Duel analogue circle-pads, a D-pad, rumble, microphone, camera, a 6.2″ touch screen and motion control.
They showed video of several quite nice uses, namely that you can have the console-unit stream its output to either a TV or to the controller. So if you’re playing a game on the TV and somebody wants to watch Talladega Nights, you can move your playing over to the little screen on the controller. They also showed video of somebody finding a video of a parrot on the tablet-like controller, then effortlessly putting it up to the main TV for the whole family to enjoy.
Other things we saw:
- A live orchestra playing Zelda tunes to celebrate Zelda’s 25th anniversary.
- There’s a bunch of Zelda games coming out to celebrate, including a 4-player Co-Op game called Zelda Four Swords which will be a download-only title.
- The new 3DS games coming out this year: Mario Kart 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, Super Mario 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising (which includes 3v3 multiplayer battles) and Luigi’s Mansion 2.
- Games in development for the 3DS: two Resident Evil games, Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Ace Combat 3D, Tetris, Cave Story 3D, Driver: Renegade, PAC-MAN & GALAGA Dimensions, Tekken 3D and Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D.
- There’s another free download-only title: A Virtual Pokedex. Exactly what it sounds like.
Over all not all that much to say. But Nintendo didn’t need to say a lot when they’re bringing brand new hardware. More details of which I’m sure will become known in the near future.
The Guardian and The New York Times both had hands-on with a unit a few days ago.
Although Nintendo blue balled us by not showing the system itself I think they made up for it by announcing all of the AAA 3rd party games coming out for the system. The ones they did show looked at least on par with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. What remains to be seen is how it will hold up Sony and Microsofts next generation systems when those come out. Also how will games like Batman Arkham City and Darksiders II look when compared to their ps3/360 counterparts?
Lots of questions that still need to be answered but I for one was impressed with the presentation. I like the controller even. Need to know how much all of this will cost too but this system is clearly still a ways off.
The name is awful, but this looks damn cool. I can play Arkham City on the telly then swap it to the controller when I go for a poop. What more could a person want!
Alright, so they kill off the DS with this. And it’s called the ‘U’. And I’m thinking it’ll cost $500 at least.
But how friggin awesome is this???
Jajayal is a brilliant person.
Needs moar Pikmin.
Four Swords was a GBA title, no?
Still not convinced Nintendo wants my money as a hardcore gamer, but let’s see. Ever the optimist
THERE WERE DUDES GETTING SHOT AT THE NINTENDO PRESSER!
@Adushan Govender:
1.) They’re not killing off the DS. Not the 3DS, anyway.
2.) Nintendo would never release a console for anywhere near $500. $350 max.
I liked the show. It certainly had me thinking, but Nintendo really needed to show footage of a real HD game from Nintendo proper. The fact that they are around a year from shipping this thing, and only had little proof of concept demos, and the New Super Mario game, makes me fearful of that console’s launch line up.
So they’ve given up on the whole motion control stuff?
Also, how much?
The Wiimote will still work on this new console. No price has been mentioned yet. It’s still over a year to go before it comes out.