[Update: Nintendo has since clarified a few of the Wii U details, including the tablet's battery, that were unclear at press time; check out the hardware information here.]
The rumors of Nintendo's new console were true, including the crazy talk about its wild tablet-like controller. Way to keep that one under wraps, Big N.
It's called the Wii U, and while Nintendo's being tight-lipped about a lot of the specifics, it did let me get hands-on with the controller across a few nifty tech demos for the upcoming console.
How does it feel?
First off, the thing is as big as it looks in pictures. That is to say, it's simply massive. While Nintendo hasn't released the official specs, we do know that the screen is 6.2 inches wide, which is smaller than an iPad but noticeably larger than the screen on the PS Vita. Add an inch or so to either side of it, and you get a good idea of how far apart your hands will be while playing.
With that said, it's shaped in such a way that gripping it doesn't feel as uncomfortable as it looks. If anyone is used to gaming with an iPad (in experiences where you have to hold the device horizontally, in "landscape" mode), you'll feel right at home. Your fingers fall firmly into place onto the right and left triggers, and it's easy to quickly move your fingers to the left and right "bumpers," respectively.
Despite the large size of the controller, the buttons on the front -- including the D-pad and the two analog pads -- are surprisingly small. While they're not tiny to the point of being uncomfortable, the analog pads are short and close to the controller itself. They range of motion on them didn't feel quite as wide as the analog sticks on the Nunchuk or traditional controllers, either. While I only played a few games that made use of them, I did find my fingers slipping off more easily than I would have like when moving a character around in a 3D space.
The screen
6.2 inches is big, but size is only half the story. I'm happy to report that the massive screen is vibrant, and was easily able to push what appeared to be high-definition visuals. (Nintendo's not yet willing to share what the resolution is, so the term "high-definition" is used lightly here.) What I can say is that I didn't notice any loss in fidelity when looking at Nintendo's Legend of Zelda tech demo (which they're calling the "HD Experience") on the controller versus the high-definition televisions they had set up.
What else is on this thing?
Nintendo was pretty forthcoming with top-level details like the fact that it would have a variety of buttons, a touch screen, and such. But I also noticed a headphone jack on the top of the unit, which will come in handy when trying to play Super Mario Bros. while your significant other is trying to watch Grey's Anatomy.
I also noticed an AC adapter plug on the controller. Is it rechargeable? Nintendo won't say.
On the bottom was a big port that looked like it could be an HDMI-out jack. Is it? Here it comes: Nintendo wouldn't tell me. But consider the possibilities if it is -- take your game to another TV by moving just the Wii U controller and outputting your game to a big screen.
Right now, Nintendo's only ready to speak about high-level concepts, about the "experience" and possibilities of the system and its unique controller. Based just on that, it's difficult for me not to be impressed. Yet I'm not entirely sold on wanting to use this controller, with its bulk and smaller analog sticks, versus a more traditional controller. But if third parties can find ways to utilize the screen in interesting ways, it may be hard to resist.
Contest:
1:40 PM on 06.07.2011 | 
You can only have one tablet in use at once, so it's not necessary for multiplayer games - right? Which could mean it might not be necessary for single player games...?
I definitely don't want a new console to play tilt-based mobile-app mini games. Why is Nintendo so opposed to a normal analog stick and some buttons???
First off... they basically invented the controller as we know it today, so I don't know where you get the idea that they are opposed to analog sticks and buttons... Second, they have TWO variations of the Classic Controller for the Wii that will be compatible with WiiU... you have plenty of choices here.
All I really want is a price. I'm not totally sold like most people but I'm certainly willing to be sold. I think next years E3 will be what the hype let this years E3 seem like it would be for Nintendo.
It's a neat unveil but it was no 3DS. Which I'm totally cool with. Still has a ways to go. The inevitable trickling of information until TGS or E3 2012 is gonna be unbearable.
I don't know if I'm making much sense but it's 5:09 am in the morning here in Australia & I'm still in bed half asleep. I mean what's the U controller got for nintendo that Vita doesn't have already as a supplementary Ps3 controller., again, at least the Vita looks cool & is also already a portable system. Good-morning! I'm going back to bed... zzzzzzzzz
let's start wagering... i'm guessing the system is $249 and the controller is $129. $349 bundle.
Although I'm slightly worried developers will overuse the tablet screen and effectively remove the TV from the equation. If games use too much touch, then I'll be staring at the tablet almost exclusively, and then I just have a really expensive handheld. And I already have a 3DS for that.
- The new controller will not support legacy Wii games. You will not be able to use it, even as a classic controller
- The new controller will not even have its screen on, when playing Wii games. So much for turning off your TV and continuing to play.
- The controller has no rear facing camera, and the videos that make it out as though it has AR are really showing us VR.
- Games will not be required to mirror the TV screen on the controller, and some third party games will have limited or no support for it.
- The video data is not streamed, and is in fact rendered in the unit, limiting its capabilities and discouraging third party developers from going through the trouble of enabling it.
Hopefully I'm wrong on all counts :D
Was it heavy? Looks like it weighs a ton!
Does it appear to be functional and sound? Yes.
Does it look like something that already has a market? Yes.
Are any of those good enough for me to buy a handheld masquerading as a console controller? No.
http://www.destructoid.com/e3-nintendo-s-new-console-is-the-wii-u-updated--203141.phtml
The Wii U has plenty of possibilities. The whole idea of having a wide variety of uses for a console is impressive. It can work like a tablet, only in tandem with a wide variety of apparels, like the balance board. The fact that you can keep your Wii controllers(classic Pro, I'm looking at you) makes it so that the thing offers pretty much every input method I'd ever consider.
The fact that it kind of overlaps Xbox360 and iPad and the very own Wii markets is kind of worrysome though.
That movement (I'm making it now with my thumb) is not only unintuitive, it's actually a little painful to do quickly.
Several people have compared this to the Vita. Wouldn't it be interesting if Vita could be used in teh same way, so that games could be developed for both sony and Nintendo systems by 3rd parties, making it far more likely that they will develop games using the new tech?
The Wii struggeld to get 3rd party support because it was isolated by the new tech.
lol
It looks like competition for 3DS really. I could see people on commute playing it more than people in their living rooms.
Yeah, and how much support will that have? We're still being forced to use waggle in DKCR while we have a perfectly good controller that we'd rather use.
But then I'm sure some people enjoy that stuff, and hell maybe Nintendo will prove me wrong! And I welcome them to try, a price point of <$50 and an ergonomic design would be a step in the right direction.
Yeah..
Thank god it's an optional peripheral, I just hope dev's have the good sense to offer the off switch and don't sink too much of their resources into what could potentially pose a multiplat third party budget problem. (I say third party because I know Nintendo will shove this down our throats like bad medicine)
Besides the only Nintendo games I really like are Zelda and Smash Bros, and those havnt changed since the N64.