Nintendo’s Wii U Detailed: Supports HD, Play Games On TV Or Controller

By Ishaan . June 7, 2011 . 10:36am

Want to know about Nintendo’s new Wii U console and controller? Here’s a few quick facts to clear up any confusion before we move on to the big specifications sheet:

The controller sports a 6.2” touchscreen.

Yes, you can play games on both a TV or on the controller.

It will be compatible with all Wii controllers, including Wii Remotes, Nunchuks, Balance Boards, and Classic Controllers.

The console will include internal flash memory for storage, but you’ll also be able to plug in an external hard drive.

Launches: 2012

Size: Approximately 1.8 inches tall, 6.8 inches wide and 10.5 inches long.

New Controller: The new controller incorporates a 6.2-inch, 16:9 touch screen and traditional button controls, including two analog Circle Pads. This combination removes the traditional barriers between games, players and the TV by creating a second window into the video game world. The rechargeable controller includes a Power button, Home button, +Control Pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons and ZL/ZR buttons. It includes a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope, rumble feature, camera, a microphone, stereo speakers, a sensor strip and a stylus.

Other Controls: Up to four Wii Remote™ (or Wii Remote Plus) controllers can be connected at once. The new console supports all Wii™ controllers and input devices, including the Nunchuk™ controller, Classic Controller™, Classic Controller Pro™ and Wii Balance Board.

Media: A single self-loading media bay will play 12-centimeter proprietary high-density optical discs for the new console, as well as 12-centimeter Wii optical discs.

Video Output: Supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i. Compatible cables include HDMI, component, S-video and composite.

Audio Output: Uses AV Multi Out connector. Six-channel PCM linear output through HDMI.

Storage: The console will have internal flash memory, as well as the option to expand its memory using either an SD memory card or an external USB hard disk drive.

CPU: IBM Power®-based multi-core microprocessor.

Other: Four USB 2.0 connector slots are included. The new console is backward compatible with Wii games and Wii accessories.

Read more stories about E3 2011 & Wii U on Siliconera.

http://www.youtube.com/user/xxHiryuuxx Hiryuu

IGN and Dtoid have pics of the console up.

I can’t say I’m sold at all on it but I’m sure Smash Bros. and the plethora of other remakes will sell plenty of people.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Aunna-Terrell/100001267508146 Aunna Terrell

Now how about that price range and how badly getting an extra new controller is gonna cost people.. /think
shy_mel

Yay for backwards compatibility!
- Day2Day
  
  The thing that I’m a little apprehensive about is that there were no mentions of Gamecube backwards compatibility, for the games or the controllers, and that’s something that I, for one, would really miss…
  - daizyujin
    
    Agreed. Especially since I actually liked using GC controllers for many Wii games.
- Zero_Destiny
  
  I’m very ecstatic about this and hope it means since the Wii can play GameCube games that the WiiU will be able to as well. ^_^
http://twitter.com/ChestnutBowl Chestnut Bowl

Underwhelming.
To show off their new console, they display games that are also on the 360 and PS3? By the time this is released next year, why would anyone purchase this over a PS3 or 360 if the only real addition is a first-party library?

Since I’m not a huge fan of Nintendo’s first-party games, there’s absolutely nothing that would make me want to purchase the Wii U.
- http://www.youtube.com/user/xxHiryuuxx Hiryuu
  
  I’d have to agree.
  
  However, if this touch-centric thing is supposed to be in direct competition to Apple, then perhaps we’re looking at this in the wrong angle. Nintendo has said countless times that it thinks Apple to be a competitor far more than the other two that were at E3.
  
  To be fair, at least they performed better than MS did.
  - http://twitter.com/ChestnutBowl Chestnut Bowl
    
    MS was rather boring this year, but they made sense. They were just building on what they’ve recently released. Nothing amazing, but respectable nonetheless.
    
    Nintendo could be competing with Apple, but Apple’s dominance lies in portable hardware only. If it wanted to compete with Apple, Nintendo would’ve built a meatier 3DS. The Wii U’s tablet-like controller seems like it won’t be useful on its own, too far from the console. In addition, all of the third-party games shown on the Wii U’s demo reel are or will be available on the PS3 and 360 — possibly months before the Wii U is even available to the public.
    - http://www.youtube.com/user/xxHiryuuxx Hiryuu
      
      Not sure if they would’ve gone the meatier route though anyways. Recently, Nintendo’s been the weakest in terms of that. It’s not like they’ve ALWAYS been this way, but it has been a thing they’ve been doing for a while, focusing mostly on casuals more than they have the core gamer crowd that they lost with the introduction of the Wii.
      
      And now they’re trying to possibly get the back with the Wii-U.
      
      Pray for a miracle, I suppose. That price mark is going to say a whole lot for the console and the controller itself. I can’t imagine either being cheap.
      - theworldofnoboundries
        
        400$ is the cheapest price i bet. That controller itself is like crazy expensive.
http://twitter.com/mangeezer jerry

wow this will change the way we play games forever
http://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=2704923 Buntar0

Backward compatibility is nice.
And I can play traditional and tilt based Wii games in bed or on the toilet.
- daizyujin
  
  If it had GameCube support and the ability to move your purchased games over to the WiiU you could use your Wii itself for the toilet.
AnimeRemix

Already sadly knew It wouldn’t be able to play gamecube games on the new console… Still debating if I want to actually buy this system…=/
Samken

the controller looks so BIG jesus, i have large hands but this is ridiculous.
http://www.facebook.com/jstack Jon Stachewicz

no Gamecube, huh? How much you think they’re gonna charge for GCN titles on Virtual Console?
Crimson_Cloud

We you! :)
Anyway, this looks pretty cool. For me, Sony and Nintendo both share the first place this year.
- evilkaz
  
  eh, sony was kinda weak. They showed some uncharted(of course), some ote exclusives, but nothing too impressive besides uncharted. Ps vista although a neat toy is doomed to fall behind the 3DS (that thing has mariokart!!). Nintendo’s conference wasnt that impressive either, i think that all the 3DS games they showed won me over more than the Wii U. We can all agree that microsoft was vastly underwhelming.
  - daizyujin
    
    I disagree if only because Nintendo really only had one new 3DS game to show off, Luigi’s Mansion 2. Everything else we had already seen before or at least had been announced such as Mario Kart, Super Mario 3DS, Starfox, Kid Icarus.
    
    The better lineup is a judgement call, the most exciting though between 3DS and Vita goes to Vita hands down IMHO.
  - http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
    
    Come on…writing off the PS Vita because it offers solid launch titles and not the same ole same ole mario kart? Gamecube had Mario Kart and that system sold 3 times less than PSP,,,
  - Joanna
    
    I said this to all the people claiming doom and gloom for Nintendo: it’s too early to tell either way. 3DS certainly has some nice third party support: Level 5 (Professor Layton, that time travel game, plus their collaboration with Capcom and Brownie Brown for Layton vs. Phoenix and Fantasy Life), SquareEnix (Kingdom Hearts), Konami (Beyond the Labyrinth), Sega (Sonic, Crush3D), Capcom (MegaMan Legends 3) and Vita doesn’t have as many but this is just the beginning. We didn’t start hearing about 3DS games till some time after the E3 announcement last year. And most likely NIS will be making games for Vita (L5 equivalent for Sony as I see them making lots of exclusives), Falcom also seem on board with a confirmation of a game being in production. I wouldn’t be surprised if the other big hitters also make games for it as most big companies don’t play favourites; it’s only the little ones that profit from that due to establishing a particular kind of niche fan base on one brand.
    - http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
      
      Since this is a post for the USA…none of the titles you list are “big hitters”. MML3, isnt that a downloadable title, prototype that isnt even guaranteed to release? Kingdom Hearts is MIA, Brownie Brown is funded and owned by Nintendo, the US is still behind in those titles, and hasnt JPN had an issue with each successive entry selling less and less? I imagine the same fate is in the US. Sonic Generations, could come to Vita…I could see Mario & Sonic at the Olympics 2012 being a better choice for you to mention, but cant imagine core gamers are interested in that. Ultimately, the third party offering on 3DS isnt all that exciting for this year, beyond maybe that MGS port but enthusiasm has faded since the superior version will be offered in a only 10 or so more dollar HD collection of 2,3, and Peace Walker on two HD consoles. This year 1, I do not see any third party big hitters for 3DS since it just seems to be a year of ports and cant share your enthusiasm sorry. Slow hardware sales for several months now, what are we going to be doing if this continues for the next few months, still say “its too early to tell”, a year from now? (“its too early to tell”) 2 years from now (“its too early to tell”). They will be faced with doom and gloom cries until they lower the price of the unit, offer a revision, and get third partys to stop porting ps2/psp games.
      
      Based on definitive software and shocking low hardware prices, valuable region free, definitive powerful STRONG FIRST PARTY launch support (ignoring personal preference, its difficult to say that they are not starting Vita off strong with the most celebrated franchises appearing on the device at launch) and not to mention numerous other features for the glorious device, Vita will clearly have the better launch year, compared to Ninty, Ninty is doomed.
BelmontHeir

It’s sad that people had to read online that this was a new piece of hardware. The way Nintendo debuted the WiiU onstage, it felt like it was just a new controller for the Wii.
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Aunna-Terrell/100001267508146 Aunna Terrell
  
  I wonder how Nintendo’s gonna make this new controller idiot proof. I don’t think a wrist strap is gonna be enough.
  - http://twitter.com/ChestnutBowl Chestnut Bowl
    
    That’s why there’s TWO places for wrist straps on the Wii U’s controller.
    - http://www.facebook.com/people/Aunna-Terrell/100001267508146 Aunna Terrell
      
      No special plastic coverings needed? XD
    - Guest
      
      And ankle straps
- tr1gun1212
  
  Completely agree. I was confused until I read an article somewhere and saw a picture of it.
  
  The only explanation I can think of is to make it easy for Wii-people to transition, which would explain the WiiU name as well. Don’t scare them away – make it seem like just another accessory for the Wii, and they might buy it as they have the others.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YOP44GXWRUH3JLAQ7DXVUATUCI Solfate

Seeing this doesnt make it sound so bad. At least its getting some good games.
- Advent_Andaryu
  
  Like what? NSMB Mii? No thanks. And don’t say Darksiders because that’s not even funny.
  - ninjaonizuka
    
    ninja gaiden? ssb4!!!! tekken? but just tink of all the games that will or may be for this console really it didnt even come out yet but still i think it loooks great :D
XypherCode

cool you can plug in a hard drive! if you ask me the controller is fine…and the name….not so much :P

but they’re not showing off the console itself that much :(
- daizyujin
  
  I do really like the idea of being able to plug in a regular HDD. It is very open from a format perspective and it allows a user to buy the base system without forking out extra for a HDD if they don’t want it. Given the low internet connected base of the Wii this is likely to be a large percentage of Wii U buyers. I just hope you can use a standard USB powered laptop HDD. I have those out the ears right now. I am not sure if it will require a 7200 rpm drive or not but given that both the 360 and PS3 just use standard 5400 rpm SATA HDDs it seems likely.
  - XypherCode
    
    yeah i agree. and you’re right at least the cost of getting a Wii U will be lower because there’s no internal HDD. so we can use what we have lying around the house. i’m sure a standard 2.5″ laptop HDD would work on whatever speeds ’cause i think it will only use them for DLCs, downloads, and saves. but external HDDs with software already built-in like password encryption wouldn’t work on the new console.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CA2UGKXZ4J5VHTG2FHL4OHKSXA Jaden

You all say what you will, I’m quite impressed with its titles (Especially third party!), tech, storage, and all I’m sold.^_^
- daizyujin
  
  Every one of those 3rd party games though will be out on the other two consoles by the time WiiU releases.
  - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CA2UGKXZ4J5VHTG2FHL4OHKSXA Jaden
    
    True but the fact that 3rd Party developers aren’t “dicking” the Wii U in general in terms of content is still VERY impressive.^_^
http://twitter.com/tommyt74 tommy

Interesting.
I wonder why it need 4 USB slots.
- daizyujin
  
  The reason is simple, 2 is not enough. If you want Ethernet there goes one port, you want to use a portable harddrive as they suggested, there goes port two, and you want to charge the controller, assuming you can, there goes port three so I am already down to one.
eilegz

current graphics on a new controller, by the time it get released its going to be a dated lets see how they price it…
http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada

Surprised its not using Blu-Ray…then again.

That zelda image wont never get old.
- http://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=2704923 Buntar0
  
  Sony earns money through BluRay rights, I think that’s why they went with a custom format. The next Microsoft console might also not use BluRay for that reason.
  - malek86
    
    Don’t see why not, they had no problems using normal DVDs on the Xbox and 360.
    
    Nintendo on the other hand has always used custom formats.
    - daizyujin
      
      GameCube and Wii both used variations of standard DVD. This why pirates can just use DVD discs in both systems.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Carmona/100000347329518 Christopher Carmona

WHY would you put both analog sticks up there? Ugh.
http://thrust-the-sky.deviantart.com/ WildArms

Umm, so it’s like a big DS version… well it’s not a bad idea per se… lets se how it does
kroufonz

i am seriously confused and don’t know what to think about this new console yet!
http://profiles.google.com/rothion Rothion ~

ZZzzz…

Nintendo is the master of overreaction. Plus, they’re late into the party – HD consoles are nothing new.

Oh well, the casual folk will buy it anyway.
- http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
  
  It almost seemed like with they way they were broadcasting this at the conference that HD and DLC support is a new innovation.
  - daizyujin
    
    Nintendo always acts that way. They wait until a technology is being used by their competitors for the 2nd or even 3rd time before using it and then act like it is some grand day because “they” are doing it so it now matters. After all, they made a big deal out of the GameCube using optical media in 2001 when NEC and Hudson had been using it for almost a decade by that point and don’t get me started on their network infrastructure (or lack there of.)
    
    It just comes off as extremely arrogant.
anxiousheart

Oh man, I can already tell that the controller is going to cost half the price of the console. -__-
- daizyujin
  
  No about a third. I did a little comparison with tablets and devices that have comparable features and it looks like we are looking at a ~$99.99 price on controllers. Don’t expect this console for less than $299.99.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Genis-Sage/1058727510 Genis Sage

…<_< not really impressive
only if they made the controller like 3DS and small… then i might buy it… waiting for 3RD party controllers
Guest

Is that the actual console pictured by the TV??
- SoulEater98
  
  Yes, it is.
http://myanimelist.net/profile/Kuronoa Kuronoa

Now the big question is, how much is this going to cost me?
oh and maybe they will have a slim model of the controller down the line. lol
- daizyujin
  
  $299.99.
  
  I am placing my bet now.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Genis-Sage/1058727510 Genis Sage

after thinking … this will be fun
i realized that it will be like the IPad
LastFootnote

I like the fact that it’s compatible with Wii controllers and discs. I guess I’ll still be keeping my Wii around in case I want to play GameCube games or Wii games with a GameCube controller.

Oh, and you’d better set up actual player accounts, Nintendo. This ‘transfer your purchases from DSi to 3DS’ scheme is not going to cut it long-term and I don’t want to see that same crap for the WiiU.
- daizyujin
  
  Unlikely. They didn’t do it for the 3DS.
Code

rar, I feel really mixed on this; I mean I understand, and like, the notion of a DS-styled console. The pictures that depicted it being used as a tablet, or using it similar to DS applications such as in Zelda having your items on your controller screen looked nice, and I like this idea.

My initial problem though was when they first introduced it, by simply moving what was on TV to the controller screen; this basically nulls the application of the screen itself entirely, since it’d have to be free for you to move it to the controller in the first place. This isn’t a feature that can work with DS-inspired games, and it just really twists my stomach because here we have a controller with a screen in it; and they are pushing it as simply an alternative screen for when someone wants to watch a baseball game on your TV xpx? It’s like they were trying to solve a non-problem.

The other problem is; why even bother having a console to begin with at this point, it just seems like an extra expense, when the technology could just be packed the controller, it certainly looks big enough >w<'' Generally it strikes me as a really early reveal though. I'm hoping it'll have more shape down the line. But I guess I'm just torn because it feels like it's trying to fulfill several very specific niches, but it doesn't quiet appear to be fulfilling any of them to what it potentially could be xpx;

Also seriously, a SSB4 trailer better show up soon; because otherwise it feels like Nintendo basically slid SSB4 in as a footnote omo; This never cut it during highschool when I said I had my project done; and it was just at home omo and it doesn’t work now.
- daizyujin
  
  I also agree, I never even thought of this a problem and I still don’t. The only way I see this making any sense is in a house with one tv and even then, if you don’t have a TV to play on, buy a Vita. It will likely have comparable power along with a better network and plenty of great titles.
  
  The whole thing is just confusing.
http://nisemonokami.deviantart.com/ NiseKami

Who comes up with these names?
- Chow
  
  I’m sure it’s just a codename, just like almost everything else in recent memory. :)
- http://twitter.com/ChestnutBowl Chestnut Bowl
  
  Infants.
puchinri

Ahhh. So no GC backwards compatibility? That’s sad. ;u;
But it does pretty nice. I’m curious about what more is to come.
http://www.facebook.com/strawberry.kurosaki William Hsia

wait i though this was just a new controller….
http://www.youtube.com/B4ULoveShine Tim_at_where

I expect #WiiU games to be US$60, as a typical Wii game costs US$50, first release.
Advent_Andaryu

I’m very disappointed, no internal hard drive, no mention of online, no 1st party games? NSMB is getting old, I can’t stand this anymore Nintendo.

The Zelda tech demo looks nice but that’s all it is, a tech demo. It will probably never amount to anything, the best they can do is a port of Twilight Princess or something. I’m slowing moving away from Nintendo, Sony seems to know where the industry is going.
- http://www.siliconera.com/ Ishaan
  
  That’s why they’ve spent their last few years losing money, right? We don’t take sides on Siliconera, and I do wish readers like you wouldn’t do it either with nonsensical comments like some of the others you’ve posted.
  - daizyujin
    
    You know people are allowed to have an opinion right?
    - Advent_Andaryu
      
      Apparently not… -_-
      
      What’s the point of a comment system if we can’t express our thoughts on the article? I’m not saying Sony is perfect but at least they know what fans want. They are doing their best to make their systems affordable and appeal to the loyal, hardcore gamer.
      - Joanna
        
        Not really, they don’t care about the fans, if they could they would have gladly sold the PS3 at 600$ to this day. The only reason their systems are affordable now is because they were burnt so bad at the start of this generation with their higher price point. I do applaud them for not making the same mistake twice though.
        
        Also have you considered some of us actually want what Nintendo’s games offer? Man I know it’s hard to warp your head around it but there are fans that appreciate what Nintendo does too (I am certainly one of them. Love Nintendo games). Not like Sony has the exclusive rights to that. >.>
    - http://www.siliconera.com/ Ishaan
      
      Sure, when their opinion doesn’t disregard 80% of the facts.
http://twitter.com/madaraki Prof Madaraki

Someone better find a way to make us controllers without that atrocious screen. I have a feeling it’s not very ergonomical to hold that thing for an extended amount of time.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001081180639 James Plus Rachel
  
  The controller is actually quite light, and it’ll be lying in your lap anyway for most games, quite confortably.
SoulEater98

People were complaining that the Wii’s not HD or the graphics were not good enough. And now that Nintendo provided what you guys wanted (1080p and updated graphics), you’re all like “these graphics are outdated” and “Way too go nintendo, you’re only a generation late” and all this BS. Makes me wonder what do you want from Nintendo?
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1446063390 Zichri Lui
  
  Yeah I don’t understand why people are so hostile towards it. I feel as if it were the most exciting thing at E3. I mean, its graphics are probably better than any current generation system, so those guys are completely wrong at that. Then, the fact that they’re first in the home console race for the next gen gives them an excuse for having weaker graphics down the road whenever Sony releases a PS4 or when Microsoft releases another Xbox. Plus, strong 3rd party support and lots of potential makes me really pumped.
  So whoever is dissing the Wii U should only be dissing on the name, because honestly, that’s really the only thing they can diss on.
  - http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
    
    When Im buying a next gen console in 2015, Im quite sure I wont be thinking, “I will choose Wii U, even though its graphics pale in comparison because it launched first…it still looks decent compared to the powerful games on the newer consoles”. Reggie said its comparable to PS3 and 360, so where did you get its graphics are better than those consoles?
- daizyujin
  
  A controller that doesn’t look like it is the result of a threesome from a Gamecube controller, an iPad, and an Etch-A-Sketch would be a good start for me.
  
  1080p is just a resolution and HD is a very broad term. Saying you have HD graphics means nothing anymore. The fact it took Nintendo 5 years to figure that out is a joke in itself. The fact is that saying it is coming in 2012 with what appears to be 360 level graphics is laughable, as that system will be seven years old when this releases.
  
  So what do “I” want? A better designed controller for start. A machine that has any purpose with a 360 and PS3 (and Wii) already on my shelf would be the other.
  - Testsubject909
    
    Long story short:
    
    Don’t play catchup. Push forward and be the lead rather then the follower.
    Lengthening the story again:
    
    Playing the game from your TV to a handheld? PS3 and PSV
    HD graphics on your console? PS3, 360.
    Touch screen and motion control? PSV
    
    It’s not very obvious how much further you can go, but pushing the boundaries and really releasing something new before your competition thinks it up is what people are waiting for from Nintendo. An evolution.
    - http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
      
      With the way that is listed, it almost seems like the Wii U is just doing stuff that others can do…
      
      I wish the major selling point they had for the device went beyond it being able to stream stuff to allow people to use the tv to watch shows…With more and more people using consoles for their movie watching and and x360 getting live tv, and people cutting cable…streaming will be under utilized as people will be using the console to watch stuff and they didnt say playing games simultaneously while using the console for other stuff :(.
    - SoulEater98
      
      Nintendo had Touch Screen on the DS before PSV(which means Sony’s the one playing “catchup” with Nintendo) and Wii had Motion Control WAY before PSV sir.
      - http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
        
        Well Sony had AR before Ninty. Sony had disc based media before Ninty. Did Sony have rumble before Ninty too? PSP had internet browser before DS…Technically Sony Corp had touch screen before Ninty…it was in their remote controls :D
      - Joanna
        
        So the moral of the story is: everyone plays catch up and fanboys are silly. :)
  - thebanditking
    
    I agree, its going to be tough for me to justify this console if it costs more (which is most likely will) then a PS3 in 2012 with tech that won’t hold up with the next console cycle. They had better be using a blu-ray drive for this thing otherwise I have to question why they even bothered, DVD was outdated in 2006.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001081180639 James Plus Rachel
      
      They are using 25gb high density discs, so it’s not dvd, and about the tech, it is supposed to be better than 360 and ps3, so maybe it will hold it’s own against the next gen consoles from sony and microsoft? Who knows, all I see, is an interesting console, trying different things, so I’ll be getting one.
  - SoulEater98
    
    Nintendo said that the Games they showed were actually game footage from 360 and PS3 version of the games (due to the games not yet being worked on for the system). And FYI, the developers have reported that Wii U is indeed more powerfull than the 360 AND PS3(which means it’s not on the same “level” as the 360 or PS3).Nintendo never really cared for HD graphics, they released the Wii knowing full well that the 360 and PS3 would be in HD (1080p). They just now added 1080p into the new console because almost everyone has an HDTV nowadays and also because of people complaining about the Wii not supporting 1080p and such.
    But I do agree with you about the controller though, they could have done a better job with that.
    - http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
      
      I think developers dont know, Ubisoft in their roundtable discussion with a demo of their games, and when asked about the Wii U compared to 360 and PS3 said they didnt know how it compared. Which developers with working games are you referring to that definitively said its beyond 360 PS3 level?
      - SoulEater98
        
        Vigil Games’s Vigil technical director Colin Bonstead when asked if if he thought it was possible that the Wii U version of Darksiders II would be
        the best version of the game, he said:
        
        “Yeah, just because the hardware is more powerful and it will have some extra
        features that I think will actually be useful to people playing the game. With
        it’s controller, [the Wii U version of Darksiders II] might be the best version
        of the game.”
        
        Even though that doesn’t say much, it’s pretty much confirmed that the Wii U is more powerfull than PS3/360
        
        http://www.systemwars.com/forums/showthread.php?98477-Wii-U-Confirmed-Stronger-than-PS3-360
      - http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
        
        I dont know, then why would Ubisoft not say that it is more powerful when asked directly?
      - Joanna
        
        @tristtrist:disqus Because it’s bad business to say X is better than Y when you are making products for Y.
Covnam

Going by photos of it, the controller also has a headphone jack (on the top, I think it would be better on the bottom personally) and an AC jack (also on top….).

I wonder if it is multi-touch? I’m guessing it isn’t or they would have mentioned it, but it’s a bit disappointing if it isn’t.

A “sensor strip”? So does it have IR lights in the controller to use wii-motes with it or is that just referring to the ir camera on the top?

There’s no mention of gamecube compatibility, so I guess that was cut.

With two screens (one being touch) available, I hope a DS Player is made for this system.
HistorysGreatestMonster

Vastly underwhelmed. Nintendo’s mission this year should have been to tell someone who owns a PS3 or a 360 why they should buy this too. They didn’t do that.
- http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
  
  Yeah they didnt really accomplish that…especially with the megaton wii u exclusive game announced…lego…
evilkaz

so if i wanna play multiplayer games(locally), i have to buy TWO OF THESE!!!!?????
daizyujin

The Good:

1. Finally HD
2. 4 USB ports
3. Use of Wii Controllers

The Bad:

1. Controller is just a mess from what I can tell, from button placement and design to just the size it is busy and has too much of a kitchen sink approach. It doesn’t seem to really appeal to any one audience which may be the point but at the same time it doesn’t seem to do anything overly well either.
2. No built in Ethernet from what I can tell. (Yes this REALLY pissed me off on Wii with it only have 2 USB ports and having to waste one on my lan adapter)
3. Axing of GameCube support. This seems silly if it is using Wii hardware for backwards compatibility as the Wii chips are just GC with a kick. Plus I have actually enjoyed using GC controllers on several Wii games. (I know I am weird.)
4. The name. I know most say that Wii grew on them, but it didn’t with me and frankly while it was at least tolerable, this just sounds stupid. Nintendo Beam would have been better. I understand Stream was pretty much out of the question as the first letter they would receive would be a trademark infringement suit from Valve but honestly, this is the best they could come up with?
5. Lack of power. Sure the system may look on par with Xbox 360 but that system is almost six years old. That is not really an accomplishment.
6. Price. This system will be expensive. Nintendo always has to make a day one profit and this tech won’t come cheap. If the Wii Remocons are any indication, expect a single U controller to cost ~$99.99.
7. Resistive Screen – This is 2011 Nintendo, get with the program. You obviously want to go for Apple’s throat, the design speaks loudly to this yet Apple would never dream of putting a resistive screen in a dog turd scanner, let alone its flagship product. The mandate of a stylus means that using the face buttons and screen in tandem is pretty much out completely.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Danette-Sheron/100001563158266 Danette Sheron

Damn, I keep coming across so many Nintendo haters. I like how Nintendo comes with new creative ideas to keep up with both the casual and hardcore gamers….wait I didn’t I post something like this at another site? Gah, I give up, people just won’t be happy no matter what Nintendo does.
- Joanna
  
  I think so too, but I think Silliconera community has always been more Pro-Sony so no surprise really (there is also quite a bit of xbox/microsoft hate from time to time). What did surprise me was the general positive reception to 3DS before it was announced to be region locked.
SetzerGabbiani

I didn’t realize so many people on Siliconera were so down on Nintendo. Personally, I like the direction Nintendo is going with the Wii U. One has to have an open mind about these things.

The largest criticism seems to be with the controller, which various media outlets have said is very ergonomically sound despite its appearance, and a nice piece of hardware.

Let’s wait until we find out more before we crucify.
- http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
  
  The only positive response from people have been, cant wait to play [insert first party title] HD. The third party support is of questionable quality, since by now there are more HD consoles than Wii combined so a large percentage of gamers, have consoles that are capable of playing all of the games in that reel Ninty showed, except for that Ninja Gaiden 3 game that may or may not be exclusive.
  
  Its hard to have an open mind when the Wii U just feels like a me too late to the party system and a man on the forefront of the conference advertising it like HD and DLC support are new innovations in the industry. Being able to play Battlefield 3 on this system in mid-late 2012 is really that exciting?
  - SetzerGabbiani
    
    You’re very critical of many things, so I’m not at all surprised at your response.
    
    Personally, I own a PS3, a Wii, a PSP, a DS Lite and a 3DS; all are great systems for different reasons. I will likely purchase a Vita and the Wii U. The Wii U is still exciting to me even if I do own a PS3. Of course I want the first party games, but if the console itself is as feature rich as the sizzle reel made it seem, then Nintendo will again dominate a certain demographic space until the other companies emulate them again, which will undoubtedly happen.
    
    Honestly, I know some just want Nintendo to fail and leave the market completely, which won’t happen because the company itself is fundamentally sound business wise. The sheer animosity and knee-jerk negative reactions to everything the company does seems unwarranted. Their business model provides a necessary balance to Sony and Microsoft’s.
    
    Not saying that your points don’t have some validity, but you have to think that Nintendo has a grip on their strengths and weaknesses. They’ve been in the console business longer than anyone at this point; people seem to forget that.
    
    Anyway, the bottom line is we still don’t know everything about the new system. It’s a waiting game now.
    - http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
      
      That implies that experience in the business leads to success, which as we see with companies such as say major america car ocmpanies, that was not the case. I do not think Nintendo has a grip on the core gamer audience as you make it seem or to an extent many gamers who use their system as the center of their media. For media, apart from streaming, and if Wii U has no blu-ray support nor compatibility with movies people buy over iTunes, Amazon Video, and the content provider stream services with Sony and/or Microsoft…their Wii U is at a disadvantage, which appears to be a weakness Ninty has not addressed. Im only critical because who in the world announces a new electronic device but shows no tangible games with intent to release? Compare and contrast the NGP reveal and the Wii U reveal…we had software with intent to release and connectivity and multimedia features shown.
      
      People are automatically assuming things, Nintendo will automatically dominate a certain demographic?! How so? Thats the same as saying that Nintendo 3DS will dominate the PS Vita…
blah blah

That makes me think of transfarring.
Kai2591

To me, the games are what REALLY matters. If console A has a more attractive range of games for me, then I’ll buy that one (if I have the money).
thebanditking

The controller looks very uncomfortable and is likely going to cost a fortune. Also I hear that the controllers screen in sub HD in resolution so I doubt many are going to be playing a full game on it. I can’t decide how I feel about this system, Nintendo finally making a current gen console with up to date hardware is great but the controller and other unknown factors are putting me off, also the name is horrible, when I heard it the first thing I though of was P U and strangely Sweet Escape from Gwen Stefani (which I also don’t like) lol.
PrinceHeir

backward compatible with Wii games ^^

guess i’ll keep my Wii for my gamecube games :P
http://www.ige.com cheap wow gold

This looks very promising, but what will be the price of this? I hope it’s not too expensive. Anyway, thanks for sharing details of this new controller. :)

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