Nintendo’s upcoming Wii U console features controller with 15,7cm screen

LOS ANGELES, June 7, 2011 – At the E3 Expo, Nintendo introduced a new paradigm for video games and home entertainment: Wii U™, a new console that includes a controller with a 15,7cm (6.2-inch) screen. Adding a second screen to the living room creates a multitude of new video game experiences while offering families a variety of options to customise their entertainment.

Previously, video games played on a home console have been confined to the TV and offered identical viewpoints to each player in a multiplayer environment. Furthermore, watching TV and playing console games have been completely separate experiences. The new controller removes these boundaries, creating a more dynamic and fluid gaming and entertainment experience. Visitors to the E3 Expo will see first hand the type of gaming experiences made possible by Wii U and the new controller such as:

In single-player games:

• The new controller can display information on its screen that does not appear on the TV.
• The information and viewpoint can also change in the new controller based on the orientation of its gyroscope.

In multiplayer games:

• The player using the new controller can have a different experience than those looking at the TV. This will offer a wide variety of competitive and cooperative opportunities.

In addition to the 15,7cm screen, the new controller also features an accelerometer and a gyroscope, a rumble feature, an inward-facing camera, a microphone and speakers. Adding these features to the Classic Controller™ button scheme – two analogue Circle Pads, +Control Pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons and ZL/ZR buttons – will enable a breadth of gameplay experiences while appealing to both casual and dedicated video game players.

Wii U combines motion-sensing gameplay with the ability to support full HD graphics. Each Wii U console will be partnered with a new controller and can also use up to four additional Wii Remote™ or Wii Remote Plus controllers. The system is also backwards compatible and can play all Wii games and use all Wii accessories. The Wii console has sold more than 86 million units globally and greatly expanded the overall audience for video games. Wii U aims to expand that audience even further. Developers worldwide are already working on new games and experiences for the console.

“Wii U redefines the structure of home entertainment by fundamentally changing how the TV, the game console and the Internet function and interact together,” said Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. “The experience enabled by Wii U and the new controller takes players deeper into their games, while reaching out wider than ever before to be inviting to all kinds of gamers.”

Nintendo 3DS™, which lets users see 3D images without the need for special glasses, launched in South Africa and Europe on March 25 and continues to evolve. Owners will find that their Nintendo 3DS experience is different every time they pick up the system, thanks to new content and updates delivered by Nintendo, by third parties and exchanged between users.

A new system update is now available for the Nintendo 3DS system. Users can connect to a wireless broadband Internet connection and install the system update from today.

Users can browse original 3D software, 3D Classics (select classic video games remastered in 3D), classic Game Boy™ and Game Boy Color games, and more than 350 games and applications currently offered for the Nintendo DSiWare™ service. Visitors can also see videos and screenshots for games, plus see how other players rank games.

The system update provides Nintendo 3DS owners access to free items, including an Internet browser that can show 3D images on websites specifically designed to show 3D images.

Nintendo also announced a huge line-up of upcoming new and fan-favourite franchise games, many of which are playable on the E3 Expo show floor.

Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario™, Luigi’s Mansion™ 2, Mario Kart™, Kid Icarus™: Uprising, The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™ 3D, Star Fox 64™ 3D, Animal Crossing™, Paper Mario™, Picture Lives!, The Rolling Western™.

Wii
The Legend of Zelda™: Skyward Sword, Kirby™Wii, Wii Play™: Motion, Mystery Case Files™: The Malgrave Incident™, Mario Party™ 9, Rhythm Heaven™ and Fortune Street™.

Nintendo DS™
Kirby™ Mass Attack, Professor Layton and the Last Specter™, Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker™ 2 and Super Fossil Fighters™.

Nintendo kicked off its E3 Expo Presentation by announcing a number of initiatives to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of The Legend of Zelda. A remastered 3D version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches for Nintendo 3DS on June 17, while Wii owners will see the arrival of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword later in 2011. Additionally, Nintendo announced a tour of orchestral concerts featuring music from the beloved franchise. Additional commemorative activities will be announced at a later date.

For the duration of the E3 Expo, Nintendo will provide fans with exclusive videos and Nintendo content on the Nintendo Network. People can visit http://e3.nintendo.com to watch developer interviews, get all the information about new games and see coverage coming directly from the show floor.

Please note that this is a US press release. Game titles and releases in South Africa may vary.