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Not to be confused with Workers' International Industrial Union.
Wii U
Wii U
File:Wii U console and controller.jpg
The Wii U GamePad (left) and the Wii U console (right)
DeveloperNintendo
TypeVideo game console
GenerationEighth generation
Release dateHoliday 2012 [1]
Media12 cm Wii U optical disc[1]
12 cm Wii optical disc[1]
CPUIBM Power-based multicore processor[1]
StorageInternal flash memory
SD card, SDHC Card
USB storage device
Display
Video output formats
[1]
GraphicsAMD Radeon-based HD GPU[1]
Sound
Audio output formats
  • A/V-Multi
    • Analog stereo
    HDMI
[1]
Controller inputWii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Remote (and Wii MotionPlus / Wii Remote Plus), Nunchuk, Classic Controller (Pro), Wii Balance Board
Connectivity4 × USB 2.0[2]
Bluetooth[3]
Wireless IEEE 802.11b/g/n[1]
Online servicesNintendo Network[4]
Backward
compatibility		Wii
PredecessorWii

The Wii U (/[invalid input: 'icon']ˌwiː ˈjuː/) (ウィー ユー) is an upcoming video game console by Nintendo, and will be the successor to the Wii.[5] The system was unveiled during Nintendo's press conference at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2011 on June 7, 2011, and is expected to be released during the fourth quarter of 2012 in North America, Europe, Australia, and Japan.[6] It will be the first entry in the eighth generation of video game consoles.[7][8][9][10]

The Wii U is Nintendo's sixth home console. The Wii U also features a new controller, called the GamePad, with an embedded touchscreen. The controller allows a player to continue playing certain games by displaying the game even when the television is off. At the E3 2012 expo, a second controller, called the Pro Controller, was unveiled, which is a more traditional gamepad. It features two analog sticks.[11]

The system will be backwards compatible with Wii, and Wii U games can support compatibility with Wii peripherals, such as the Wii Remote Plus and the Nunchuk. However, unlike the Wii, the Wii U will not be backwards compatible with Nintendo GameCube media or peripherals.[12]

History

The console was first conceived in 2008,[13] after Nintendo recognized several limitations and challenges with the Wii, such as the general public perception that the system catered primarily for a "casual" audience.[14] With Wii U, Nintendo explicitly wishes to lure "core" gamers back.[15] Game designer Shigeru Miyamoto admitted that the lack of HD and limited network infrastructure for the Wii also contributed to the system being regarded in a separate class to its competitors' systems, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.[16] It was decided that a new console would have to be made to accommodate significant structural changes.

Within the company, there was much debate over the idea for the new console, and the project was scrapped and restarted several times.[17] The concept of a touchscreen embedded within the controller was originally inspired by the blue light on the Wii that illuminates to indicate new messages.[18] Miyamoto and his team wanted to include a small screen to provide game feedback and status messages to players (in similar vein to the VMU for Sega's Dreamcast). Much later in development, this was expanded to a full screen that could display the game being played in its entirety, a concept which was suggested but not financially viable earlier in the project.[13]

Pre-announcement

Initial beliefs about the Wii's successor were that the new console would be an "enhanced version" named the "Wii HD". Many journalists claimed that it would have a high-definition video output along with a Blu-ray Disc drive built in with a release sometime in 2011.[19][20] However, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata later stated that he saw "no significant reason" to include HD into the Wii and that such an addition would be better suited for a successor.[21] Shigeru Miyamoto also expressed Nintendo's interest in working with HD graphics but clarified that the company is primarily focused on the gameplay experience.[22] In October 2009, Miyamoto said that they had no concrete plans about a successor yet, but knew that the successor would possibly still feature motion controls and they expected its interface to be "more compact" and cheaper.[23] Iwata also mentioned that the Wii's successor might be 3D-compatible but concluded that the adoption rates of 3D televisions should increase to at least 30% first.[24]

In 2010, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime commented that he felt "confident the Wii home entertainment console has a very long life in front of it" and declared that a successor would not be launched in the near future.[25] At the E3 2010 presentation, Iwata revealed to the BBC that they would begin announcing a new console once Nintendo ran "out of ideas with the current hardware and cannot give users any more meaningful surprises with the technology [they had]".[26] Later, at an investor's meeting, he disclosed that they were "of course studying and developing the next console to Wii", but they were simultaneously keeping its concepts secret because it was "really important for [his] business to positively surprise people."[27] Reggie Fils-Aime commented in a CNN article and claimed that Nintendo's next home console would not likely feature stereoscopic 3D, based on the 3D technology Nintendo had experimented with.[28]

In April 2011, an uncredited source indicated that Nintendo was planning on unveiling the successor to the Wii during E3 2011, codenamed Project Café,[5] that would be capable of gameplay in HD resolutions[29][30] and will be backward compatible with Wii software.[31] It was also rumored that the console would feature an all new controller with a built in high-resolution screen.[32] The origin of the rumor for the codename (and many other details) was French technology publication 01net.[33] 01net had previously revealed the technical specifications of Sony's PlayStation Vita before it was announced.[34] Claims have been made that the new machine is significantly more powerful than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[31][35]

Many claims focused on the new controller, which would feature dual analog sticks, a standard D-pad, two bumpers, two triggers and "possibly more".[32][36] IGN compared the functionality of the new controller to a Nintendo GameCube controller.[5] 01net claimed the controller would be "a touch tablet controller, with moderate graphic output," comparing the controller to an iPad with buttons. They also added that there would be a front-facing camera on the controller.[37] Supposedly, the controller would also feature six-axis motion controls that outperform a PlayStation Move motion controller (in terms of fidelity),[38] as well as a built-in sensor bar.[37] The new controller features a 6.2-inch touchscreen.[39] 01net took the rumor a step further and claimed that the touchscreen would be single-touch.[37] Sources from CVG claimed that the controller featured a high-resolution screen.[32] IGN claimed that the controller would allow players to stream entire games to the controller from the console,[5] and that the console itself "is likely to resemble a modernized version of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)."[40]

According to Edge, THQ president Brian Farrell allegedly told investors: "We don't expect new hardware any time soon from either Microsoft or Sony. It's different on Nintendo – we'll let them announce their new hardware".[38]

Post-announcement

The Wii U shown at E3 2011, demonstrating the various options of the controller.

On April 25, 2011, Nintendo released a statement officially announcing a system to succeed the Wii. They simultaneously announced that it would be released during 2012, and that playable console units would be present at E3 2011 (June 7–9).[41] Speaking at an investor's conference, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata stated the Wii successor "will offer something new for home game systems."[42] Iwata also confirmed that the successor to Wii will not launch in the fiscal year of 2012, meaning that it will release after April 2012.[43]

On May 4, 2011, Kotaku reported that Project Café would have 8 GB of flash-based memory on-board, with the assumed purpose of storing game saves. The game discs used by the console were said to be of a proprietary format, and to hold up to 25 GB of data, which is similar to the capacity of a single-layer Blu-ray Disc.[44] In early June, Nikkei issued a report confirming earlier rumors that the new console will feature a controller with a 6 inch touchscreen that will give tablet-like controls to games, as well as a rechargeable battery and a camera. Nikkei says the system will be released in mid-2012.[45]

A prototype version of Wii U was showcased at E3 2011. The design of the console and controller were not definitive versions.[46] The controller demonstrated a touch screen over 6 inches wide and contained a built-in microphone, speakers, gyroscope, accelerometer, rumble and camera.[47] All processing is done on the console itself, the output of which can be displayed either on a TV, the controller, or both simultaneously; however, the screen only supports single touch, not multitouch, going against a popular trend across the technology industry,[47] and, at the time of unveiling, the system only supported output to one tablet controller at a time, though Nintendo is reportedly looking into allowing for such functionality in the final version of the hardware.[48] Games that were confirmed were New Super Mario Bros. U and the movement from Wii to Wii U of the long-in-development Pikmin 3.[49] A list of third party titles was also announced to be available at release, and were on show with video clips taken from PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions.[50][51]

Shares of Nintendo fell almost 10 percent in the two days following unveiling of Wii U to levels not seen since 2006.[52] Some analysts expressed skepticism of Nintendo's addition of a touch screen to the controller, expressing concern that the controller would be less affordable and less innovative than the original Wii Remote.[53]

On July 5, 2011, when asked about whether or not the Wii U was going to support 3D, Iwata told Mercury News, "If you are going to connect Wii U with a home TV capable of displaying 3-D images, technologically, yes, it is going to be possible, but that's not the area we are focusing on".[54]

On October 27, 2011, Iwata stated during an investors meeting that the Wii U will be released after March 2012, and its final specification and form will be revealed at E3 2012.[55]

Nintendo presented the Wii U at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (January 10–13).[56]

On January 26, 2012, Iwata told investors that the Wii U will be launched by the 2012 year end shopping season in all major regions.[57] Furthermore, Iwata stated that the console will feature a unified online system known as Nintendo Network, which will feature user account support as opposed to the use of friend codes. Nintendo Network will also provide the framework for online multiplayer interactions, add-on content sales, as well as digital distribution of applications and video games.[58] Moreover, Iwata mentioned that the Wii U controller will support NFC, which will allow the system to wirelessly interact with figurines and cards created by developers. It will also allow for microtransactions to take place wirelessly using credit cards that have NFC support.[57]

Hardware

Controllers

Wii U GamePad

A Wii U GamePad (White)
Main article: Wii U GamePad

The Wii U GamePad is the main controller for the Wii U. It features a built-in touchscreen, which can either supplement or replicate the gameplay shown on the main display, even functioning as a standalone screen without the use of a television. The controller also features an accelerometer, gyroscope, camera, dual analog sticks, as well as a built-in microphone, and support for Near field communications. (which can be used for, among other uses, figurines that can interact with the console, wireless credit card payments with compatible cards).[59] The console will also be compatible with the Wii Remote, Wii Nunchuk and Wii Balance Board, as well as a Wii U Pro Controller for more traditional controls.[60] Two GamePads are supported per console.[61]

Shigeru Miyamoto promoted the idea of the GamePad because he supports being able to use a secondary screen while someone else is watching the television. Wii U is said to offer asymmetric competition, where the player using the GamePad has one experience and wins in a certain way, while competing players have different ways to play and win.

Wii U Pro Controller

File:Wii U Pro white black.jpg
The Wii U Pro Controller (Black and White)

The console will also feature a second controller available separately, called the Wii U Pro Controller. It features the standard control sticks, button and triggers of most regular controllers. It is unknown if it will be compatible with all Wii U titles due to its lack of the touch screen.

CPU

POWER, PowerPC, and Power ISA architectures
NXP (formerly Freescale and Motorola)
IBM
IBM/Nintendo
Other
Related links
Cancelled in gray, historic in italic

The Wii U CPU is designed by IBM. It is described by IBM as an "all-new, Power-based microprocessor",[62] the processor is a multi-core design manufactured at 45 nm with an eDRAM cache. Although neither Nintendo nor IBM has revealed detailed specifications, such as the number of cores, clock rate, or cache sizes, references to the chip containing "a lot" of eDRAM and "the same processor technology found in Watson"[63] indicate that the processor shares some characteristics with IBM's POWER7 processor, which powers the Watson computer system and incorporates a large L3 eDRAM cache.

The Wii U CPU will be produced by IBM at their 300 mm semiconductor manufacturing facility in East Fishkill, New York.[62]

Technical specifications

Nintendo released technical specifications of the Wii U hardware, subject to change,[1][2]

Software

System software

Main article: Wii U system software

The Miiverse is the main screen for Wii U. It is a tile-based interface that features Miis of the console owner and people around the world; it shows both the console owner's tastes and global trends.

Eventually, the Miiverse will be accessible from any Web-enabled mobile device.

Games

Main article: List of Wii U games

Nintendo had pointed out that they are ensuring greater support for third-party games on the Wii U; during E3 2011 a handful of third-party titles were confirmed to be in development for the Wii U. Satoru Iwata also mentioned the next Super Smash Bros. title, which has started development according to Masahiro Sakurai.[67]

Reggie Fils-Aime announced a new Mario title known as New Super Mario Bros. U.

Applications

Nintendo is said to be designing an app store for the Wii U along with an e-book platform, which would allow the company to offer such materials as game guides, digital magazines, and more.[68]

At Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012, Nintendo announced that Wii U would support applications including YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Instant Video as a part of its entertainment features.

Features

Near Field Communication

Camera

Backward compatibility

Currently, the Wii U is known to be compatible with any previous Wii game, including titles purchased through the Wii Shop Channel. However, GameCube games will not be playable through disk, but be available through the updated Wii Shop that will sell GameCube games through the Virtual Console for download.

Nintendo 3DS connectivity

Connection between the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U will be available using the Miiverse application or also Nintendo Network for cross gaming in compatible games.

Smartphones connectivity

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b "Wii U technical specification revealed". Gamepur.com. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ Lowe, Scott (7 June 2011). "E3 2011: Hands-on with the Nintendo Wii U Hardware". IGN. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
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  6. ^ Wii U confirmed for Europe this year
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  15. ^ "Iwata Asks: E3 2011 Special Edition". p. 7. Retrieved 2011-06-09. Iwata: On the other hand, I certainly do not think that Wii was able to cater to every gamer's needs, so that's also something I wanted to resolve. [...] The keyword for our presentation at this year's E3 is "Deeper and Wider". With Wii U, I would like to offer this proposal with that concept.
  16. ^ "Iwata Asks: E3 2011 Special Edition". p. 7. Retrieved 2011-06-09. Miyamoto: But one of the key reasons that such things as the core and the casuals exist today is that we decided not to adopt HD on the Wii console. Of course, besides that there are things like issues with the controller and the challenges that it brings, network functionalities and many other things, but I think HD was the biggest factor that everyone was able to clearly understand the difference.
  17. ^ "Iwata Asks: E3 2011 Special Edition". p. 1. Retrieved 2011-06-09. Iwata: We actually debated quite a bit until we settled on the way it is now. There was a lot of back and forth before reaching where we are now. Miyamoto: Right, we did. We started from scratch many times.
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  62. ^ a b IBM (2011). "IBM Microprocessors to Power the New Wii U System from Nintendo". Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  63. ^ Gorman, Michael (2011). "IBM puts Watson's brains in Nintendo Wii U". Engadget. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
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  66. ^ Wong, Raymond. "Nintendo's Reggie says Wii U can actually support two tablet controllers". UberGizmo. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  67. ^ Phillips, Joshua (2012-02-21). "News: Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS Development Begins". n-europe. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  68. ^ Davies, Christ. "Nintendo prepping Wii U eBook store and courting iOS devs says source". Slashgear.

Media related to Wii U at Wikimedia Commons http://wii-u.com - Official site

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