Nintendo on Tuesday unveiled the Wii U, a new gaming platform that adds a small screen to a controller that can interact with the larger TV screen or be used as a standalone handheld device.
The white Wii U controller features a built-in, 6.2-inch screen, as well as the usual control and circle pads and buttons. It also includes a microphone, speakers, an accelerometer, gyroscope, and front-facing camera.
Much of the focus at the E3 press event today was on that controller rather than the console. In demo videos, the console appeared in the background and wasn't much larger than the Wii U controller.
The Wii U will make its debut in 2012; Nintendo did not discuss pricing.
In addition to usual Wii gaming, however, the Wii U adds casual games, video chat, a Web browser, drawing app, motion controls, and other tablet-esque features. If you're playing a game and someone wants to watch something on TV, for example, you can switch your game to the Wii U controller. Satoru Iwata, Nintendo's global president, however, stressed that the Wii U "was not designed to be a portable video game machine."
Even though you can operate the Wii U like handheld device, it won't function without the console. "The images displayed are generated only by Wii U [and are] wirelessly transmitted without latency issues," Iwata said. "We decided on this new structure because we want to create a strong bond between games, your TV and the Internet."
Still, the Wii U will be compatible with all existing Wii games, controllers, and other offerings, like Wii Fit. To weigh yourself, for example, you don't need to turn on the TV; just use the Wii U controller's screen.
"It's a new structure for home entertainment. But to be sure, the most important part for gamers is how this new structure can be incorporated into game play," Iwata said.
Nintendo America president Reggie Fils-Aime described the Wii U as "a system we will all enjoy together, but also one that's tailor-made for you."
Nintendo did not discuss specific specs for the device, but stay tuned for more details.