Nintendo Wii U Officially Announced

Nintendo just announced its new system, and it will be called the Nintendo Wii U. The Wii U will come with an entirely new controller that features a touch-screen as well as regular controls. It's mini tablet and a controller all in one, and comes with gyroscopic, augmented reality interfacing with your TV, and Nintendo devices like the WiiFit.

The concept behind the Wii U is to allow gamers to play "free from TV."

Additionally, the device is equipped with a camera for internet video conferencing. It can also beam what's on your Wii U to connected TVs, much like Apple's AirPlay feature.

A single game was teased on the new Nintendo Wii U: an unnamed Legend of Zelda HD title.

The device is backwards compatible, and can support Wii controllers, the Wii steering, the Wii Fit, the balance controller and a variety of other Nintendo peripherals.

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Specifics

The device carries a 6.2" monitor, with a plus pad, two circle pads, and the addition of L and R buttons. The Wii U also includes a touch screen, a microphone, speakers, accelerometers, a gyroscope, and inward facing camera.

Just as with the Nintendo 3DS, the device was created to support the widest variety of games from hardcore gamers to casual users.

The Wii U isn't designed as a portable device, and is instead meant to be used as a home entertainment system with a full screen TV. The device can be used for web browsing, sharing videos and photos, enjoying video chat on the controller, and is described as a "new structure for home entertainment."

The Wii U will have to remain within distance of a stationary console attached to your TV.

Official Specs

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.

Note: Details are subject to change.