Nintendo Unveils New "Wii U" Console, New Controller

7 Jun 2011
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Wii U "New Controller"Continuing with the E3 unveilings,  Nintendo has finally shown off what people have referred to as the “Wii 2”- the Wii U. The new console builds upon its predecessor, using both Wii Remotes and a brand new “New Controller” (As Nintendo has been referring to it). The new console, together with the New Controller, appears to be aiming to combine the best that its previous Wii console had to offer with the best of the same from the Nintendo DS.

The rechargable New Controller features a touch screen and camera, gyroscope, a “sensor strip” as well as the full compliment of buttons found on the Classic Controller Pro. Demonstrations of the new system have shown innovative ways of playing multiplayer games in the living room. Using games such as Chase Mii, as well as improving single player games in what appears to be a new Zelda title, were among the examples given. As mentioned earlier, the system also uses Wii Remotes, and can use these and the New Controller in tandem to “break down the traditional barriers between players, games and the TV,” in Nintendo’s words.

The Wii U is backward compatable with all Wii titles. It is unclear at the moment, but Gamecube compatibility has likely been dropped. The Wii U is slated to launch in 2012, but no specific quarter or date has been given.

Technical details and more after the jump!

Wii U

  • 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 ControllerTM, Classic Controller ProTM 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.