Wii U

Wii U
File:Wii U Unit.jpg File:Wii U Logo.png
Manufacturer	Nintendo
Type	Video game console
Generation	Eighth generation era
First available	November 18, 2012 November 30, 2012 November 30, 2012 December 8, 2012
CPU	IBM POWER7-based multi-core processor
GPU	AMD Radeon HD
Media	12 cm Wii U Optical Disc, 12 cm Wii Optical Disc
System storage	Internal flash memory, SD card, SDHC Card, USB storage device
Controller input	Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Remote, Nunchuk, Classic Controller
Connectivity	Wi-Fi Bluetooth USB 2.0 x2 LAN Adapter (via USB)
Online service	Nintendo Network
Backward compatibility	Wii
Predecessor	Wii
Article on Nintendo Wiki	Wii U

The Wii U is the sixth home video game console released by Nintendo. The console is the direct successor to the Wii. It is the only home console currently revealed that will compete in the eighth generation of video game systems thus far.

The Wii U GamePad.

The console is capable of 1080p graphics, but its main distinguishing feature is its controller, the Wii U GamePad featuring a 6-inch touchscreen capable of streaming gameplay seen on the TV screen, serving an original purpose to the intended game, or play the whole game altogether. The controller also features a camera. The Wii U is backwards-compatible with the Wii, and as such also utilizes Wii Remotes, Nunchuks, and the Wii U Pro Controller; it does not however have any GameCube functionality.

The Wii U Pro Controller.

Nintendo first spoke of the console at the 2011 E3 press conference, before revealing new details at a Nintendo Direct conference one day before E3 2012.

The release dates for the Wii U are November 18, 2012 for North America, November 30, 2012 for Europe and Australia, and December 8, 2012 for Japan.

In the Super Smash Bros. series

The currently in-development Super Smash Bros. 4 is said to be released for the Wii U system, as well as the Nintendo 3DS. As the Wii U is backwards-compatible with Wii games and the Wii Virtual Console, the console can also run Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros.; the addition of GameCube games to the Virtual Console is not currently planned, but members of Nintendo such as Reggie Fils-Aime have expressed interest in adding GameCube games to the Virtual Console. If true, the Wii U would allow one to play all four games in the series on the Wii U.

Trivia

• This is the first Nintendo home console since the SNES to share a portion of its name with its predecessor.
• According to Yoshiaki Koizumi, the Wii U was never shown to Nintendo's software development team prior to its unveiling at E3 2011.

External links

• Official channel on YouTube