- Nov 11, 2004
- 36,041
- 472
- 126
Looks like Nintendo didn't want to wait for its proper E3 press conference to spill some Wii U details early -- it just used its preview event to show the finished version of the Wii U controller, called the Gamepad, as well as a TV remote app. The Gamepad is decidedly wider than what we saw a year ago, with comfort clearly the top priority in other areas: the analog sticks have been moved further outwards, and the back grip has been tweaked in the process. There's also no doubt as to where to interact with NFC gadgets, either, as a dedicated spot below the directional pad will take all your device-to-device taps. As for the remote, it looks to be a straightforward number pad navigator with a programming guide. Between this and the Wii U Pro Controller, though, it's clear Nintendo hasn't been sitting still in the past year, and has some home theater ambitions in the process. We're curious as to what Nintendo is saving up for its bigger gala on Tuesday.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/03/nintendo-shows-final-wii-u-gamepad-tv-remote-app/
Aside from officially detailing tweaks to its Wii U Gamepad today, Nintendo has announced a secondary controller for those who'd prefer a more traditional control method. Dubbed as the Pro Controller, the wireless peripheral has a remarkably similar shape and button layout to what comes standard with the Xbox 360 -- albeit with a duo a of joysticks. You'll also notice that it's the first Wii U accessory to be colored black, rather the the white we've become accustomed to. It doesn't stop there either. While showing more video of how the Gamepad functions, it and the Wii U were also shown in the murdered-out hue for the first time -- eye pleasing to say the least. There's not word on pricing for the Pro Controller or whether the system will be released in both black and white just yet, but we'll be sure to bring you more details from the show floor at E3 when we have them.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/03/nintendo-teases-wii-u-pro-controller/
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata announced Miiverse today, a "Mii universe" for Wii U, during the company's Nintendo Direct pre-E3 livestream. Miiverse is an online system planned for the company's upcoming system that displays a Mii plaza on the Wii U GamePad – it's looking like a much expanded version of the Wii's Mii Plaza feature.
The plaza will show Mii characters gathering around game icons and feature a messaging system for players to connect with players they both do and do not know, as well as a variety of other asynchronous functionality.
Miiverse will also inhabit the 3DS and mobile devices (Android, iOS) in the future, though it will not be available immediately at launch.
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/miiverse-announced-for-wii-u/
One of the biggest open questions in Nintendo's Wii U strategy has been its online component. The company has wasted no time in outlining some key aspects of its connected feature set in a pre-E3 presentation, including a community messaging system and a (presumably HTML5-powered) web app. A pre-recorded video demonstration centered around a player struggling to progress through a game. He turned to his Wii U Gamepad and took to a community section of the console's network to ask for assistance (if anyone saw the Super Guide feature in New Super Mario Bros Wii, this looks very similar.) A mobile web app that integrates with the Wii U was also briefly revealed.
The preview also highlighted the console's ability to throw web content from the Gamepad to a TV screen, and users will be able to take advantage of a virtual "curtain" enabling them to make a dramatic reveal to friends. Yes, really.
Miis are set to offer expanded functionality in Nintendo's next-generation hardware, with the company collectively referring to players creations as the "Miiverse." There's additionally a social networking component when you turn on the Wii U and see a huge gathering of Miis — something that CEO Satoru Iwata said the developers have taken to call "Mii Wara Wara," from the Japanese word "warawara" (loosely translated to mean the general noise created by such a crowd). It's admittedly not all clear at this point, but Nintendo still has its official press conference scheduled for Tuesday morning, just before the doors open for E3 — we should have more information as the week continues.
Update: We originally reported that the network would be able to be accessed through an iOS app, but it looks like it will be a platform-agnostic webapp.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/3/3061382/nintendo-wii-u-online-gaming-ios-app-community-messaging
Well I guess we'll have to wait until E3 to see some games. I'm very meh about this but if the games at E3 look great then that could sway me. I sold my Wii because after I initially got it when it came out, good games were far and few between and I got sick of the motion gaming after a while.
Last edited: