Nintendo enjoyed wide adoption with the Wii console as casual gamers that don't fit the core gaming profile picked up and played games using the Wii Remote and Motion Controller. With its new system, the Wii U, the console manufacturer expects to capture an even larger audience. Nintendo revealed details of its upcoming video game console at an E3 press conference this morning. The new console will be released in 2012. The focus of the announcement was on the controller and games in development with limited mention of the actual console or its system specifications.
As it did with the Wii system, Nintendo's Wii U controller will break new ground. The controller is tablet-like with a 6.2-inch touchscreen, and can play games and browse the web independently of the television. While it's not a portable system and remains tethered to the household, the controller can seamlessly switch from gaming on an HDTV to gaming on the controller, which make it possible for family members of the family to switch to a TV program with minimal interruption to a game in-progress.
The new controller does more than carry games from screen-to-screen. A camera is used for activities such as video chat, but also as part of the game. The camera turns the controller into an augmented reality device and allows players to aim at targets on the screen and works its way into gameplay in other inventive ways. The controller also has some of the same elements as Nintendo's Wii Remote and DS portable game systems. It has a touch-screen; analog and digital buttons as well as left and right rudders; a gyroscope and motion-sensing abilities and rumble feedback. The controller is backwards compatible with games and peripherals. For instance, the Wii's nunchuck plugs into the touchscreen device for added movement in games. While using the Wii Fit game, participants can weigh in and conduct other activities without turning on the television.
Wii U already has a number of games in development both from Nintendo as first party titles and third party games from other publishers such as Electronic Arts, THQ, Capcom and other high-profile developers. Game franchises currently in development include Smash Bros; Super Mario Bros; Lego City Stories; Darksiders II, Batman: Arkam City; Assassins Creed, Dirt; Aliens Colonial Marines; Metro Last Light; Tekken; Ninja Gaidan and a number of games from EA Sports.
What is missing from the forthcoming Nintendo console is 3D support. The WiiU is an HD platform but it lacks support for 3D gaming on the big screen.
Nintendo is pushing 3D only on its portable platform with the 3DS handheld system released earlier this year. The 3DS offers 3D graphics without the need for glasses. As a new system Nintendo is throwing a great deal of emphasis on the platform with several titles in development. By holiday Nintendo plans to release titles including Mario Kart; Starfox 3D; Super Mario 3D; Kid Icarus; and Luigi's Mansin 2. Additional titles from third party developers include Capcom's Resident Evil; Namco's Ace Combat 3D; Cave Story from NIS America; Driver Renegade from Ubisoft; Metal Gear Solid from Konami; and an online version of Tetris.
Nintendo is also releasing several new titles for its Legend of Zelda franchise, which will appear across all of its current platforms. The franchise celebrates its 25th year in 2011 and will be celebrated with performances from a symphony orchestra with dates worldwide begining in the fall. Nintendo opened the press conference with a symphony orchestra performing just a taste of the promised concerts.
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