1st Impression: Nintendo Wii U

After months of speculation Nintendo unveiled their new console to the anxious E3 crowd and the rest of the world. In watching Nintendo’s presentation I felt that were playing it remarkably safe with their game offerings. They promoted characters and minor updates to titles we’d seen in some form or another. The 3DS obviously got a huge shot in the arm with the amount of games announced which are properties we all know and love. The Wii U unveiling was shocking because Nintendo utilized a completely new UI to give players an experience they never seen before. I think the possibilities with this console are endless but will mean nothing if Nintendo doesn’t improve their software offerings. Can anyone honestly say they play their Wii daily? I feel that Nintendo takes great risks with hardware but drops the ball in offering “hardcore” and “casual” gamers a diverse third-party selection which leaves huge release gaps and lowers and hype needed to make people buy a new console. I truly want Nintendo to succeed but if they use the same strategy on the Wii U they used on the Wii you can expect people to be really upset.  With that said here are pictures and videos of Nintendo’s revolutionary console.

Here is the console

[Image Sources: Nintendo ]

Here is the controller

Here is the controller with a stylus for drawing capabilities.

Here is the Wii U announcement trailer that showcases some of the many creative uses for the controller.

[Video Source: Joysitq]

Here is the full spec list for the Wii U straight from Nintendo

• 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.

How do you guys feel about Nintendo’s newest console offering  and will you be buying one? Sound off in the comments or via our Facebook Fanpage.