Black Color Wii U, Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, Miiverse. Pre-E3 2012 Nintendo Direct Roundup

3 June 2012

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Posted by:Ferry Groenendijk

A Pre-E3 2012 Nintendo Direct broadcast hosted by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata today, has revealed brand new information about Nintendo’s Wii U console. This is ahead of Nintendo’s E3 2012 keynote conference on Tuesday, June 5th that starts at 9:00AM PDT / 00:00PM EDT / 5:00PM GMT.

Get ready for some Wii U peripherals and online service talk…

Here’s the Pre-E3 2012 Nintendo Direct broadcast video:

Nintendo Direct Pre-E3 2012 Roundup:

• Wii U controller is now officially named the “Wii U GamePad“. Is a Social Window links player to player, living room to living room.
• The Wii U and its peripherals were shown in an all-black color, instead of just the white color shown the past year. Hopefully (unlike with the Wii) the two colors will be available once the Wii U gets released.
• The Wii U GamePad has a NFC Reader / Writer on its left side to place cards or items on to add items to the game you’re playing.
• TV button at the middle-bottom of the Wii U GamePad can control your TV as a remote without even turning on Wii U.
• Asymetric diversity means the Wii U GamePad touch-screen displays different actions than the big TV screen does, and can work together.
• Gyro controls will make gameplay easier for casual gamers as they move the controller naturally.



• Wii U Pro Controller is lighter and more attractive alternative for the Wii U GamePad for more intense gaming sessions. It looks like a black Xbox 360 controller. And remember that Wii U is backwards compatible with all Wii controllers (from the Wiimote, Nunchuck to Wii Balance Board).
• Miiverse (short for: Mii Universe) are crowds of your and other local & online friends Mii’s and users’ Mii’s from your country that are shown at the Wii U’s startup. Like the 3DS’ Mii Plaza. On Wii U it shows what other people are currently playing and recommends new games for you. This video game network is different because:
  - It allows text messaging & drawn messages between Miis,
  - You can post Wii U in-game gameplay screenshots,
  - You can post by you created in-game content for others to download,
  - A browser-based setup will be available after launch via PC & any web-enabled Mobile device.
• New Super Mario Bros. Mii was shown as a game that uses the Miiverse to exchange words with fellow players, no matter when or where they are playing.
• Nintendo Network is compatible with Wii U, 3DS, and other future Nintendo systems.
• Browsing interview on the Wii U GamePad can be hidden with a closed curtain on the TV until you are ready to show on TV to others in the room.
• “A great idea solves multiple problems at the same time”. -Shigeru Miyamoto
• Nintendo president Satoru Iwata says Wii U is best described with the tagline “Together, Better”. Even with no one else in the room, you won’t be alone, as you’re always connected with fellow Wii U owners.

If you want to hear more thoughts from Mr. Iwata, via Twitter hashtag #IwataSays he will give his show impressions during E3 2012 all of the next week.

Is your Wii U excitement growing?