Nintendo Starts The New Age of Gaming Consoles With The Wii U

The age of Xbox 360, PS3, and the Wii may be coming to an end; Nintendo will be will be trying to end it sooner than later with the release of their new console, the Wii U. This new system is trying to revolutionize the way we play video games, like most nintendo games (ie. Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Gameboy, Wii), and like always, they are ahead of their time with all of the features and additions that put this console in a class of it’s own. The Wii U will be released in the U.S. on November 18th, just in time for the holiday season, right before black friday.

The Wii U is the first home gaming console to be manufactured since the original Wii and the PS3 that were released in 2006 (excluding re-releases). As such, it is expected to have major new features and be able to do things no other console can do, and that is exactly what it does. From the first look you can see this is no ordinary game, in fact you may think it is two separate games, as the main controller of the Wii U is basically a 6.2 inch touchscreen tablet with the basic Nintendo controls attached. This is the Wii U “GamePad” and as Nintendo states “The Wii U GamePad™ controller removes the traditional barriers between you, your games, and your TV by creating a second window into the video game world.”. The GamePad also includes motion control, a front-facing camera, a microphone, stereo speakers, rumble features, a sensor bar, and a stylus. This GamePad is basically the control center for the Wii U and does more things for you than any other game controller out there.

When people think Nintendo and Wii, they think great gameplay but sub par graphics. Also, Nintendo has been missing out on games like Call of Duty, FIFA, and Madden because of its inability to run programs as fast as the Xbox and PS3, and forget about an online multiplayer, but that is now a thing of the past. The Wii U will be offering HD graphics to all of it’s games, essentially leveling the playing field, if not surpassing the gaming experience of other consoles. The games mentioned before will be added to the Wii U game list, with other big names like Assassin’s Creed III, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Mass Effect 3, Batman Arkham City, and NBA 2K13. There are many more games with innovative new styles of playing that you can check out here: http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu/games/

What sets the Wii U apart is how games will incorporate the GamePad. The GamePad can be used as it’s own personal screen or as a secondary screen to the tv where you can control extra features. Needless to say, you will have a unique experience unlike any other. The Wii U will also have it’s own online community called the Miiverse, which is almost like a cross between online gaming and social networking

The Wii U will also incorporate some of the staples of our lives in the digital age, such as Netflix, OnDemand, and Youtube. The Wii U team unveiled Nintendo TVii. This allows you to use Netflix and such but it also has a new way to use your game and tv. These features include being able to watch tv channels live or DVR’ed, while watching you can browse on the GamePad for other shows or share your experience on the Miiverse or other social network sites. From the family side, everyone will have their own account so each time you use the Wii U, it will be personally tailored for you no matter what you’re doing. The console will also include internet browsing like its predecessor, but you will be able to pause a game, browse for tips or just web surf online , and return without missing anything.

Like the Wii, I am sure that this console will be well ahead of it’s time, and if it doesn’t become the new way to play video games, it will definitely inspire Microsoft and Sony to step their games up to the next level. As mentioned before, the Wii U will be available in the U.S. on November 18th. There will be an 8gb white Wii U priced at $299, and a 32gb black version at $349. If you’re thinking about Christmas gifts, you can get this for the whole family, and have fun with it too; That’s what I will be doing this year.

*Images taken from Nintendo and Google*