The system is expected to be released in 2012 and was unveiled at Nintendo’s Press Conference at E3 2011 on June 7, 2011. It features a new controller which can continue gameplay even when the TV is off. It will be compatible with all Wii games and will also feature motion control, along with video chat. Internet browsing is also promised.
The controller is about the size of a hardcover book, with a 6.2″ LCD touch screen at the center. On the borders of the screen there’s a traditional direction pad, buttons, and two control sticks. On the back, there’s two trigger buttons, and a ridge that makes the whole thing easier to keep in your hands. You’re meant to grip it in front of you with hands on the left and right edges.
That color touch screen is the key to everything that’s different and cool about the Wii U. On the most basic level, it allows the system to convey more information to the player; something complementary to what’s on the main monitor, like maps, inventory information, or different camera angles.
The Wii U controller gets even more interesting when that screen is used to provide a new point of view, not just static details like a map.
You could watch out the front window of the car, a normal point of view familiar to anyone who has ever played a driving game. That was a cool way to interact with a driving game. But then the second screen on did something even cooler. The Wii U controller contains the same motion tracking hardware as a Nintendo Wiimote, which means the system can track its relative position at all times, and update the controller screen depending on its orientation.
Here are the Main Details and Specs Of The Nintendo 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 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.
