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Wii U Famicom skin dresses your WiiPad in red and gold
Datel Japan will start selling the aluminum WiiPad Famicom faceplate pictured above at the end of July for ¥1,980, roughly $20. If you're looking to play some old NES games while your WiiPad looks the part, Nintendo officially launched the Virtual Console on Wii U at the end of April. The initial launch list is pretty slim, but Ape Inc. and HAL Laboratory's beloved SNES RPG, Earthbound, is on the way.
The Cave on Wii U uses GamePad for camera and character switching
The Cave will be Double Fine's first foray on a Nintendo system, believe it or not. At a demo event last week, I spoke with Double Fine's Chris Remo and got our first glimpse at The Cave on Wii U.Above, you can see how the WiiPad plays into the game. It's essentially a glorified character selector and camera controller – by tapping on a character, you'll jump to them; by tapping on a character twice, you can switch the camera focus to them. In The Cave, characters cannot move independently off-screen."So other than that, it pretty much plays like all the other versions," Double Fine's Remo told me. "We did work really hard to ensure that visually everything you're seeing is identical to the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, so there's no downscaling, there's nothing going on that is not up to par with the other next-gen systems. There's nothing super wacky going on, but it's a completely full-featured version of the game."The Cave launches on Wii U next year.
FIFA 13 Wii U walks onto the pitch with an instructional video
FIFA 13 Wii U uses the WiiPad for touch-based passing, kicking and tackling, plus real-time manager options like substituting players and changing positions. Also if you take off your shirt and run around screaming after you score a goal, EA sends you a nice email – okay, we made that last one up.
A glut of Wii U guts and specs revealed
Anand Lal Shimpi is a much braver person than we could ever hope to be, tearing open Nintendo's new Wii U console for a detailed look at its innards. The tear down reveals the Wii U is powered by a multi-chip module – a PowerPC-based CPU – built using IBM's 45-nanometer manufacturing method; the GPU is comparable to AMD's RV7xx series of cards and shares 2GB of DDR3 RAM with the CPU.As for power consumption, the Wii U doesn't take much, drawing 32.8 watts of power when booting up the console's dashboard. In testing New Super Mario Bros. U, Shimpi discovered the console draws only 33 watts of power during gameplay; less required energy than any other home video game console on the market right now. Now maybe Green Peace will ease up a little on Mario's masters?
Wii U GamePad: Console gaming with no TV required
The hallmark feature of the Wii U is its tablet controller, the GamePad. It promises to foster some interesting, asymmetrical gameplay innovations, but one of its best features is a bit more obvious. The GamePad's screen is a perfect gaming display, and many Wii U games can be played directly on tablet itself, no television required.Handheld gaming is certainly nothing new, but the ability to play full-fledged console games without hogging the TV is a surprisingly delightful feature we've become addicted to. Once you try it, you may begin to wonder how you lived without it. See a round-up of our own experiences with the feature after break.
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed trailer gets a grip on the Wii U GamePad
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed may have dropped the "Sega" from the title and added Wreck-It Ralph to the racing roster, but the game's Wii U features are the all-stars of this trailer.The video above shows off the game's different functions on the Wii U GamePad, with the inclusion of a mini-map, motion control and game pad-only play being the noteworthy additions. One thing the Wii U version will not support is voice chat, however. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will launch with the Wii U system on November 18, also hitting PS3 and Xbox 360 at that time. A 3DS and Vita version will land on December 11.
Wii U's Darksiders 2 features off-screen play, included DLC
Darksiders 2's Wii U release, which will be out on the console's November 18 launch day, supports the full range of control options. You can play on your TV with the GamePad used to access your inventory and special abilities; you can play directly on the GamePad's screen, leaving the TV free for things that don't have skull faces; or you can use the Pro Controller and get an experience similar to that on other consoles.Other perks of the Wii U version include built-in DLC, including Argul's Tomb, and the "Death Rides," "Angel of Death & Shadow of Death," and "Deadly Despair" packs, which bestow extra quests, items, armor, and ... horse speed.%Gallery-166856%
Touchscreen controls coming to Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition
One of many Wii U port inevitabilities will be coming to the new console's version of Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Touchscreen controls. Specifically, the WiiPad's screen can be used to map out custom shortcuts to specific abilities, which can then be tapped in succession to perform combos.Series producer Katsuhiro Harada demonstrated the feature during a pre-Tokyo Game Show event at Namco Bandai's headquarters in Shinagawa, Tokyo, wherein banks of on-screen buttons were pressed to activate moves that would normally require directional inputs and/or simultaneous button presses.If this sounds at all familiar, its because a similar system was implemented in Dead or Alive Dimensions on the 3DS, though from everything we saw it did not appear as though TTT2's shortcuts can be used to perform entire combos with one button press, as is possible in DOAD.We asked Harada if WiiPad shortcuts will be available for use while fighting online, and he said that he wants that to be the case. He made it a point to mention, however, that some moves (such as the Electric Wind Godfist) will not be executable as shortcuts, and that a classically-skilled player will still have the advantage.
Nintendo Wii U gamepad not for sale separately in US until games support multiple controllers
Nintendo's Wii U gamepad may be the star of the Wii U show, but it won't be available as a standalone at launch. It will, however, be available when games that function with more than one WiiPad become available, according to Nintendo America CEO and prez Reggie Fils-Aime. "Through the launch window, there are no games that leverage a second controller. And so, during the launch window here in NOA [Nintendo of America] territories, we will not be selling at retail a second gamepad," he told investors during a Q&A this afternoon. "But certainly, when the games come out, we'll be making that accessory available," he added. As for when games will take advantage of a second WiiPad is another question altogether, and one that Nintendo isn't willing to answer just yet. Initially, the Wii U only supported one WiiPad per game, with additional control handled via the Pro controller or Wii remotes. Nintendo changed its tune, though, following public outcry for multiple WiiPad support.
Wii U WiiPads won't be sold separately at launch in US, will be later on
We've known the Wii U can support the simultaneous usage of two WiiPads for as long as we've known that no launch titles will support such madness. Japanese Wii U owners will eventually be able to purchase extra WiiPads for ¥13,440 ($173), while Americans have not been given a price or separate release date yet."Through the launch window, there are no games that leverage a second controller," Nintendo of America CEO Reggie Fils-Aime told Engadget. "And so, during the launch window here in NOA territories, we will not be selling at retail a second gamepad. But certainly, when the games come out, we'll be making that accessory available."We suppose that wanting to future-proof your living room against the inevitable games that will support two WiiPads could be a valid reason for buying one right now, but a more likely scenario is one involving children, permanent markers and that stylus-driven touchscreen. Anyone looking to replace a damaged or otherwise undesirable WiiPad will need to contact Nintendo customer support when the times comes.
Last Story designer: Wii U controller will enhance JRPG strategizing
The Last Story lead designer Takuya Matsumoto believes the Wii U has potential for role-playing games, partly for organizational reasons. "I feel that the Wii U's interface, as with other tablet devices, works best for browsing and arranging information," he told Siliconera.All right, maybe "browsing and arranging information" isn't the most exciting-sounding use of the WiiPad, but it sounds much more interesting in RPG-specific terms. "One merit is the ability to use a touch screen to directly manipulate information, such as looking up a monster's weak point or, like with a car's GPS, as a tool to understand battlefield conditions on a sub screen," Matsumoto explained. "This special feature will likely bring about opportunities for deep research into JRPG strategy."Matsumoto envisions JRPGs using other Wii U features as well, beyond the touchscreen. "Also, I think that things like saving information gathered during gameplay, adding to your own character's memories and experiences, and sharing with other players via Wi-Fi and the Miiverse will become an experience typical to the Wii U," Matsumoto said. Sharing memories of virtual experiences isn't exactly the first thing we thought of when we saw Miiverse, but it's an interesting idea.
Let's look really closely at Nintendo's Wii U
Nintendo showed dozens of games during E3 2012, and gave attendees a second hands-on with near-final Wii U hardware. We covered the company extensively, but we couldn't resist an invitation to get a quiet, private demonstration of the console during a New York City event this week.What's more, Nintendo was showing off more than just the WiiPad (what we're calling the Wii U's tablet controller) – a Nintendo rep gave us a thorough look at the console itself. As she points out in the video, neither the Wii U console nor the WiiPad are final hardware, so if you see some funky looking metal sticking out from the back of the system, know that it won't be there when the units arrive at your local brick-and-mortar.We also got a chance to check out the Wii U Pro Controller (otherwise known as "the Nintendo-born child of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 controllers"), and to see how it works with the gorgeous Rayman Legends. Normally, one player mans the WiiPad while the other navigates with the Pro Controller, but somebody had to hold the microphone, so the rep was forced to do both himself. If it looks awkward, blame us, not the Wii U.Anyway, if you were looking for an opportunity to marvel at just how long the Wii U console is, here's your chance.
Wii U games won't support two WiiPads at launch
At Nintendo's E3 press conference last week, the house of Mario showed its upcoming Wii U console could support two WiiPads at once. However, that doesn't mean any launch titles will support the functionality at the console's launch. In fact, they won't."It's going to be well after launch for those game experiences to come to life," Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime told Gamasutra. He explained that developers would need to figure out how to use a second screen on the WiiPad before incorporating a third. If only there were an example from days of future's past to reference.Fils-Aime said the "next major step forward" is learning asymmetric gameplay for the Wii U, like active play was for the Wii. After that "there will be multiple experiences that have two" WiiPads.
Take a look at the Wii U's Netflix app in these leaked images
Wondering how Nintendo's Wii U will stack up when it comes to Netflix? Engadget's got these first images of the Netflix app prototype in action.The app seems to enable browsing of the movie queue from the handheld screen, and one screenshot shows a video playing on the WiiPad – which should leave the television free for a different input.If anything, it'll do wonders for uninterrupted viewings of Zen & Zack. Say goodbye, bathroom magazines! Take a look at the full gallery right here.
Take a virtual trip through ZombiU's WiiPad controls
You may think dealing with the hordes of undead is as simple as pointing and pulling a trigger. Well, you're wrong – at least, when it comes to ZombiU. Mobile meala for London's zombie population (hey, that's you!) must not only be a crack shot, but also very observant and adept at using multiple-input devices like the WiiPad.%Gallery-157199%
Wii U will support two different WiiPads
During Nintendo's E3 presentation, Reggie Fils-Aime revealed that the Wii U would not support just one WiiPad, but two per Wii U console. The WiiPad has gone through a transformation since we've seen it at last year's E3. For more information, check out our comparison of then and now.
Wii U patent shows off Wiimote-to-WiiPad pointing and dragging
A patent filed by Nintendo in October of last year has just surfaced online, suggesting a neat feature for the Wii U. The patent outlines a feature in which the player can use the Wiimote to grab things from the television and transport them over to the Wii U tablet.In the example provided, the player is under attack from a UFO and uses the Wiimote to move a character from the TV to the safety of the tablet. Sounds like an interesting feature, though we're not looking forward to taking a bath in radioactive liquid so we can grow that extra arm to use all this stuff.
Wii U getting Toki Tori 2 digitally, says Two Tribes
You may not have played Toki Tori on the Nintendo Wii when it helped launch the WiiWare digital distribution service back in 2008, but Two Tribes is hoping you'll give its sequel a shot when it arrives on Wii U. The studio announced intentions to bring the sequel to Nintendo's next console in a blog post this morning, citing the recent information dump on the Wii U's internet connectivity as its reason for signing on -- Two Tribes is dedicated to releasing Toki Tori 2 digitally, it would seem!"The 3DS eShop has been a big step in the right direction compared to the Wii and DSi online shops, and it would be strange if they did not at least match it's functionality on Wii U. Since Toki Tori 2 is designed to be a downloadable title, these things are vital to making the correct choice of which platforms to develop for," the post reads. And though Two Tribes has ideas for how best to use the WiiPad beyond its bevy of buttons and triggers, the concept sounds very early in the production stages (if even there).The company does promise to offer a WiiPad-only option for playing the game, should you be simply unable to stop playing during sojourns to the water closet. It also outlined hopes for a level editor. All of this is of course highly nebulous considering that the Wii U has yet to receive even a release date, so don't go getting your hopes too high just yet.
Skylanders-esque NFC tech built into Wii U's WiiPad
Adding onto the mounting pile of news coming from an investor's briefing with Nintendo president Satoru Iwata comes word that the Wii U's tablet-like controller will have "Near Field Communication" technology (NFC). In Nintendo's words, the tech will serve to "read and write data via noncontact NFC and to expand the new play format in the video game world." Owners can reportedly create their own cards and figurines for use with the WiiPad's NFC functionality.Confusing as that may be, Iwata means that the Wii U's WiiPad will come equipped with similar tech to that used in Skylanders alter its gameplay via real world objects (Skylanders uses RFID tech, which isn't exactly the same, but a similar concept). The tech could conceivably be used to make credit card payments as well, which Iwata specifically mentions in the last paragraph.We wish it was all announcements of new entries in classic franchises and promises of unified online systems, folks, but that's just how it goes. On the bright side, more Drobot?Update: This post originally stated that Near Field Communication tech is also used in the Skylanders game from Activision, which isn't accurate. Skylanders uses RFID technology, which is similar but not identical. Sorry about that, folks!
Wii U WiiPad controller patent reveals magnetometer, flash memory
The Wii U's tablet-esque controller may tout its touchscreen as its main selling point, but there's a lot more than meets the eye going into every one of Nintendo's resistive-screened revolutionaries. Patent diagrams for the WiiPad's schematics list off plenty of components you'd expect (touch panel, touch panel controller, camera, etc), however eagle-eyed patent trolls have pointed out a few less common additions to the hardware, namely a magnetic sensor and flash memory. The "magnetic sensor," more commonly referred to as a magnetometer, measures your proximity to Magneto disturbances in a device's magnetic field. Magnetometers have been used in smartphones to find true north for GPS and compass applications, however the technology can also lend itself to touch-less, camera-less gesture input. Flash memory, while mentioned, is not listed in any specific quantity, which makes inferring its purpose somewhat difficult. The memory is listed separately from the onboard CPU's internal memory, however, so its applications will likely be user-oriented rather than processor-oriented. For now, all we can do is wait, imagine, and dream. How many Miis will we be able to fit on this thing? All of them? The future is so bright.
