The next generation starts here. Wii U arrives on November 30th with a touch-screen controller, a new take on online gaming and multiple SKUs. James Batchelor provides everything you need to know about Nintendo’s new console and its innovative GamePad
PUKKA PAD The GamePad is central to Wii U’s offering: a tablet-style controller with a touch-screen, motion sensors, full range of buttons and more. Here’s ten reasons to be excited about its arrival:
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It has a 6.2-inch touch-screen, which can be used to control in-game actions, access items, browse menus, mark map waypoints and more.
If someone is using the TV, a press of a button puts the gameplay on the GamePad screen. Never again will X Factorstand between you and that perfect score.
The front-facing camera can be used for video chat and various games. For example, Tank! Tank! Tank!puts your face above your vehicle or on the head of a giant robot.
A built-in microphone is situated just below the screen, which can be used for in-game chat.
The GamePad has its own set of stereo speakers. The volume can be adjusted via the slider on the back, or users can plug in a pair of headphones.
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Motion-controlled games can be played thanks to the built-in three-axis accelerometer, a three- axis gyroscope and a geomagnetic sensor.
Amongst all those motion sensors, there is also a rumble motor.
The GamePad connects to the Wii U wirelessly and even supports near field communication, the technology behind titles like Skylanders.
Core gamers will be pleased to know there is a full complement of face buttons, triggers and shoulder buttons, as well as two clickable analogue sticks.
Wii U will support up to two GamePads.
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THE TECHY BIT For those who understand such things, the Wii U console houses:
IBM Power Architecture-based multi-core processor
AMD Radeon High Definition GPU
2GB of RAM: 1GB for games, and another for system software
8GB (Basic) or 32GB (Premium) internal flash memory
Slot-loading optical disc drive, which takes Wii games and Wii U’s proprietary high- density optical discs