Wii U
 |
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| Developer | Nintendo |
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| Manufacturer | Nintendo, Foxconn, Mitsumi[1] |
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| Type | Video game console |
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| Generation | Eighth generation |
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| Release date |
- NA November 18, 2012
- PAL November 30, 2012
|
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| Introductory price | $299/¥26,250 (Basic Set) (Discontinued)
$349/¥31,500 (Deluxe/Premium Set) |
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| Units shipped | Worldwide: 3.61 million (as of June 30, 2013)[2] |
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| Media | 25 GB Wii U Optical Disc
4.7/8.54 GB Wii Optical Disc |
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| CPU | Tri-Core IBM PowerPC "Espresso" |
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| Storage capacity | 8 GB (Basic Set) / 32 GB (Deluxe Set)internal flash memory
SD/SDHC card
USB storage device |
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| Memory | 2 GB DDR3 @ 1600 MHz |
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| Display |
|
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| Graphics | AMD Radeon "Latte" |
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| Sound | 5.1 Linear PCM, analog stereo |
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| Controller input |
|
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| Connectivity | Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0[3]
4 × USB 2.0[4] |
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| Online services | Nintendo Network |
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| Best-selling game | Nintendo Land (pack-in) 2.60 million(as of December 31, 2012)
New Super Mario Bros. U 2.15 million (as of December 31, 2012)[5] |
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Backward
compatibility | Wii |
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| Predecessor | Wii |
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| Website | Official website |
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The Wii U is the first Nintendo console to support
high-definition graphics, capable of producing video output up to
1080p, and has 2
GB of
RAMwith half dedicated to the console's
operating system.
[12] The console was released in two versions:
[13] a "Basic" white-colored version with 8 GB of internal
Flash storage; and a "Deluxe"/"Premium" black-colored version with 32 GB of Flash storage. The Deluxe package additionally includes stands for the console and for the GamePad, a charging dock for the GamePad, and a
pack-in game. One
HDMI cable is included with both versions.
[8] The Wii U's primary
controller is the
Wii U GamePad, which features an embedded
touchscreen. The touchscreen is used to supplement the main gameplay shown on the
television or, with games supporting
Off-TV Play, can allow the player to continue playing games by displaying the main gameplay even when the television is off. In addition to the Wii U GamePad, a more traditional controller, called the
Wii U Pro Controller, may be used.
[14]
The system is
backward compatible with Wii, and Wii U games may support compatibility with Wii peripherals, such as the
Wii Remote and the
Nunchuk. While it is not backward compatible with
Nintendo GameCube discs or peripherals,
[15] Nintendo of America's director of entertainment and trend marketing indicated that select GameCube titles would become available for download,
[16][17] although Nintendo has since stated it has nothing to announce regarding this.
[18]
History[edit]
Development[edit]
The console was first conceived in 2008,
[19] after Nintendo recognized several limitations and challenges with the
Wii, such as the general public perception that the system catered primarily for a "
casual" audience.
[20] With Wii U, Nintendo explicitly wishes to bring "
core" gamers back.
[21] Game designer
Shigeru Miyamoto admitted that the lack of HD and limited network infrastructure for the Wii also contributed to the system being regarded in a separate class to its competitors' systems, the
Xbox 360 and
PlayStation 3.
[22] It was decided that a new console would have to be made to accommodate significant structural changes.
Within the company, there was much debate over the idea for the new console, and the project was scrapped and restarted several times.
[23] The concept of a touchscreen embedded within the controller was originally inspired by the blue light on the Wii that illuminates to indicate new messages.
[24] Miyamoto and his team wanted to include a small screen to provide game feedback and status messages to players (in similar vein to the
VMU for
Sega's
Dreamcast). Much later in development, this was expanded to a full screen that could display the game being played in its entirety, a concept which was suggested but not financially viable earlier in the project.
[25]
Pre-announcement[edit]
Initial beliefs about the Wii's successor were that the new console would be an "enhanced version" named the "Wii HD." Many journalists claimed that it would have a high-definition video output along with a
Blu-ray Disc drive built in with a release sometime in 2011.
[26][27] However, Nintendo President
Satoru Iwata later stated that he saw "no significant reason" to include HD into the Wii and that such an addition would be better suited for a successor.
[28] Shigeru Miyamoto also expressed Nintendo's interest in working with HD graphics but clarified that the company is primarily focused on the gameplay experience.
[29] In October 2009, Miyamoto said that they had no concrete plans about a successor yet, but knew that the successor would possibly still feature motion controls and they expected its interface to be "more compact" and cheaper.
[30] Iwata also mentioned that the Wii's successor might be 3D-compatible but concluded that the
adoption rates of
3D televisions should increase to at least 30% first.
[31]
In 2010, Nintendo of America President
Reggie Fils-Aime commented that he felt "confident the Wii home entertainment console has a very long life in front of it" and declared that a successor would not be launched in the near future.
[32] At the
E3 2010 presentation, Iwata revealed to the
BBC that they would begin announcing a new console once Nintendo ran "out of ideas with the current hardware and cannot give users any more meaningful surprises with the technology [they had]".
[33] Later, at an investor's meeting, he disclosed that they were "of course studying and developing the next console to Wii", but they were simultaneously keeping its concepts secret because it was "really important for [his] business to positively surprise people."
[34] Reggie Fils-Aime commented in a
CNN article and claimed that Nintendo's next home console would not likely feature
stereoscopic 3D, based on the 3D technology Nintendo had experimented with.
[35]
In April 2011, an uncredited source indicated that Nintendo was planning on unveiling the successor to the Wii during
E3 2011, codenamed
Project Café,
[6] that would be capable of gameplay in HD resolutions
[37] and will be backward compatible with Wii software.
[38] It was also rumored that the console would feature an all new controller with a built in high-resolution screen.
[39] The origin of the rumor for the codename (and many other details) was French technology publication 01net.
[40] 01net had previously revealed the technical specifications of
Sony's
PlayStation Vitabefore it was announced.
[41] The new machine was believed twice as powerful as the
PlayStation 3 and
Xbox 360.
[38][42]
Many claims focused on the new controller, which would feature dual analog sticks, a standard D-pad, two bumpers, two triggers and "possibly more".
[39][43] IGN compared the functionality of the new controller to a
Nintendo GameCube controller.
[6] 01net claimed the controller would be "a touch
tablet controller, with moderate graphic output," comparing the controller to an
iPad with buttons. They also added that there would be a front-facing camera on the controller.
[44] Supposedly, the controller would also feature six-axis motion controls that outperform a
PlayStation Movemotion controller (in terms of fidelity),
[45] as well as a built-in sensor bar.
[44] The new controller features a 6.2-inch
touchscreen.
[46] 01net took the rumor a step further and claimed that the touchscreen would be single-touch.
[44] Sources from
CVG claimed that the controller featured a high-resolution screen.
[39] IGN claimed that the controller would allow players to stream entire games to the controller from the console,
[6] and that the console itself "is likely to resemble a modernized version of the
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)."
[47]
According to
Edge,
THQ president Brian Farrell allegedly told investors: "We don't expect new hardware any time soon from either
Microsoft or
Sony. It's different on Nintendo – we'll let them announce their new hardware".
[45]
Announcement[edit]
The Wii U shown at
E3 2011, demonstrating the various uses of the GamePad controller.
On April 25, 2011, Nintendo released a statement officially announcing a system to succeed the Wii. They simultaneously announced that it would be released during 2012, and that playable console units would be present at
E3 2011 (June 7–9).
[48] Speaking at an investor's conference, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata stated the Wii successor would "offer something new for home game systems."
[49] Iwata also confirmed that the successor to Wii would not launch in the fiscal year of 2012, meaning that it would release after April 2012.
[50]
On May 4, 2011,
Kotaku reported that Project Café would have 8 GB of flash-based memory on board, with the assumed purpose of storing game saves. The game discs used by the console were said to be of a
proprietary format, and to hold up to 25 GB of data, which is similar to the capacity of a single-layer
Blu-ray Disc.
[51] In early June,
Nikkei issued a report confirming earlier rumors that the new console would feature a controller with a 6 inch touchscreen that would give tablet-like controls to games, as well as a rechargeable battery and a camera. Nikkei said the system would be released in mid-2012.
[52]
A prototype version of Wii U was showcased at E3 2011. The design of the console and controller were not definitive versions.
[53] The controller demonstrated a touch screen over 6 inches wide and contained a built-in microphone, speakers, gyroscope, accelerometer, rumble and camera.
[54]All processing is done on the console itself, the output of which can be displayed either on a TV, the controller, or both simultaneously; however, the screen only supports single touch, not multitouch, going against a popular trend across the technology industry,
[54] and, at the time of unveiling, the system only supported output to one tablet controller at a time, though Nintendo was reportedly looking into allowing for such functionality in the final version of the hardware.
[55] Games that were confirmed were
New Super Mario Bros. U and the change of console from the Wii to Wii U of the long-in-development
Pikmin 3.
[56] A list of third party titles was also announced to be available at release, and were on show with trailers from
PlayStation 3 and
Xbox 360 versions.
[57][citation needed]
Shares of Nintendo fell almost 10 percent in the two days following the unveiling of Wii U to levels not seen since 2006.
[58] Some analysts expressed skepticism in regards to the addition of a touch screen to the controller, expressing concern that the controller would be less affordable and less innovative than the original Wii Remote.
[59] When asked about whether or not the Wii U was going to support 3D, Iwata told
San Jose Mercury News, "If you are going to connect Wii U with a home TV capable of displaying 3-D images, technologically, yes, it is going to be possible, but that's not the area we are focusing on."
[60]
On January 26, 2012, Iwata told investors that the Wii U would be launched by the 2012 year end shopping season in all major regions, and that its final specifications and form factor would be revealed at E3 2012.
[61] Furthermore, Iwata stated that the console would feature a unified online system known as
Nintendo Network, which would feature user account support as opposed to the use of friend codes. Nintendo Network would also provide the framework for online multiplayer interactions, add-on content sales, as well as online distribution of applications and video games.
[62]Moreover, Iwata mentioned that the Wii U controller would support
NFC, which would allow the system to wirelessly interact with figurines and cards created by developers. It would also allow for
microtransactions to take place wirelessly using credit cards that have NFC support.
[61]
On September 13, 2012, during a Japanese
Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo announced that launch date was set to December 8, 2012 in Japan.
[63] Later that day, Nintendo announced that the North American launch date would be November 18, 2012.
[64] The Wii U was made available in two bundles: the Basic Set ($299.99 in US) and the Deluxe Set ($349.99 in US). Nintendo of Europe and
Nintendo Australia also announced that the Wii U would be released in both regions simultaneously on November 30, 2012. It would also launch with the Basic Pack ($349.95 AUD) and Deluxe Pack ($429.95 AUD) bundles, with European prices being set by individual retailers.
[65] The Basic bundle contains a Wii U with 8 GB of on-storage, the
Wii U GamePad and stylus and an HDMI cable, while the Deluxe bundle adds on a
Nintendo Network Premium subscription, 32 GB of on-storage, a sensor bar, the
Nintendo Land game (all regions except Japan), as well as stands for the console and controller.
[66][67]
On July 13, 2013, Nintendo released a white version of the Premium Pack in Japan, as well as was as an official battery pack and charger dock for the Wii Remote capable of lasting 13 hours of gameplay before needing to be recharged, retailing at ¥4,200. Additionally, on July 25, the company also released an improved battery pack for the Gamepad controller. The standard 1500mAh battery is bundled with the console, while the new 2550mAh battery pack will increase its longevity between five and eight hours before needing to be recharged, retailing at ¥3,150.
[68]
On August 28, 2013, Nintendo announced the Deluxe/Premium 32 GB Model would get a price drop from $349.99 to $299.99, in the United States and Europe. It was also announced that the current $299 Basic 8GB Wii U Model would stop production. This price drop would take effect starting on September 20, 2013.
[69]
Hardware[edit]
During a Nintendo Direct on September 13, 2012, Nintendo revealed that the Wii U would be available in two colors at launch, black and white. The white version is called the Basic Set in North America and the Basic Pack in the
PAL regions and Japan and come with 8 GB of internal
flash memory. The black version is called the Deluxe Set in North America and the Premium Pack in Europe and Australia and comes with 32 GB of internal flash memory. In Japan a white version of the Premium Pack was released on July 13, 2013.
[70]
Console[edit]
An illustration of the Wii U MCM without heat spreader. The smaller chip, lower right, is the "
Espresso" CPU made by IBM. The other chips are the "
Latte" GPGPU (large chip) from AMD and an
EEPROM chip (tiny) from Renesas.
The Wii U contains 2
GB of
DDR3 system memory consisting of four 512 MB (4 Gb) DDR3-1600
DRAM chips with a maximum bandwidth of 12.8 GB/s, in which 1 GB reserved for the operating system and unavailable to games. This is 20 times the amount found in the original
Wii.
[75] The GPU also features a 35 MB
eDRAM cache memory. The memory architecture allows the CPU and GPU to access both the main DDR3 memory pool and the eDRAM cache memory pool, removing the need for separate, dedicated memory pools.
[76]
The read-only
optical disc drive will read proprietary
high-density Wii U Optical Discs (25 GB per layer) at 5x
CAV, similar to
Blu-ray Discs,
[77][78] for a maximum read speed of 22.5 MB/s, and will also support
Wii Optical Discs at 6x CAV for backwards compatibility with the Wii. To further enhance optical drive performance, the Wii U will also feature
Zlib decompression like its predecessor, allowing for greater real-term bandwidth. It is unknown whether the disc drive will support dual-layer 50 GB discs. The console includes either an 8 GB (Basic) or 32 GB (Deluxe
(NA)/Premium
(EU)) internal
flash memory, expandable via
SD memory cards up to 32 GB and
USB hard disk drives up to 2 TB, as well as external hard drives.
[79][80]
The Wii U features
802.11 b/g/n wireless network connectivity and
Fast Ethernet (requires an attachment),
Bluetooth 4.0, four
USB 2.0 ports
(two at the rear and two at the front of the console) and an
SD memory card slot
(supports up to SDHC cards). An additional power port is also included to power the
Wii Sensor Bar, an auxiliary infrared emitter first introduced on the Wii. Video output options include
1080p,
1080i,
720p,
576i,
480p and
480i, through
HDMI 1.4 and
component video (YPBPR and D-Terminal) or 576i, 480i (standard 4:3 and 16:9
anamorphic widescreen) through
composite video (S-Video, RGB SCART and D-Terminal). Audio output options include six-channel
5.1 linear PCM surround sound and
analog stereo. The console also supports
stereoscopic 3D images and video.
[60][72]
^[a] Neither Nintendo, IBM nor AMD has revealed detailed specifications, such as the number of cores, clock rate, or cache sizes. References have been made to the chip containing "a lot" of eDRAM and "the same processor technology found in Watson".[81]
Controllers[edit]
Wii U GamePad[edit]
Main article:
Wii U GamePad
An illustration of the Wii U GamePad (White)
The
Wii U GamePad is the Wii U's primary controller and comes bundled with the console. It features a built-in 6.2 inch (15.7 cm)
16:9 resistive touchscreen, which can either supplement or replicate the gameplay shown on the television display. It also features a built-in front-facing
camera and
sensor strip, a built-in
microphone,
stereo speakers, and supports
NFC.
[84] The Wii U GamePad supports nine-axis motion detection via a three-axis
accelerometer, three-axis
gyroscope and a three-axis
magnetometer, and also comes equipped with a rumble feature.
[85] It includes a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery capable of storing 1500 mAh and lasting 3–5 hours. The controllers weighs 1.1 lbs (500 g), has dimensions of 130 × 23 × 260 mm (5.3 × 0.9 × 10.2 in), and has etched plastic grips in its rear in order to increase its grip. The Wii U GamePad's wireless communication with the Wii U console is based on
IEEE 802.11n operating at ~5.2 GHz and technically supports
repeaters,
[86] while using a proprietary transfer protocol and software co-developed by
Broadcom and
Nintendo.
[87] The Wii U GamePad, however, is not compatible with the original
Wii.
The controller also features the following buttons: HOME button, TV CONTROL button, START (+) and SELECT (-) button, dual clickable
analog sticks, a
D-pad, a four face buttons (A, B, X, Y), bumper buttons (R/L) and trigger buttons (Z
L/Z
R), and a POWER button. The START and SELECT buttons are represented by "+" and "-" signs respectively. The analogue sticks are not restricted to 8-axis movement, a departure from previous Nintendo console controllers with analogue sticks.
[citation needed] A TV CONTROL button opens an interface on the Wii U GamePad that acts as a television remote control, allowing the user to change the volume and switch channels or video input. This feature is also implemented in
Nintendo TVii. The Wii U GamePad also features a dedicated volume slider, which controls the controller's speakers' volume. The controller comes with a
stylus for interacting with the touch screen.
The Wii U GamePad features several output connectors. Its stereo jack (3.5 mm connector) will support the connection of a headset to allow a user to speak and hear audio simultaneously. The controller features an
infrared transceiver, part of the "TV CONTROL" feature. It will also be able to communicate with future accessories. A power port, a "Multi-Purpose External Extension Connector" (power and data transmission for possible future additional accessories), two metal contacts for charging cradle power connectors (at the bottom around external extension connector), and
stereo speakers are included. The controller is charged via a proprietary cable and a dedicated charging cradle.
The Wii U GamePad has built-in
near field communication, which according to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, can be used for, among other uses, figurines that can interact with the console and wireless credit card payments with compatible cards.
[84] The Wii U GamePad also allows for
asymmetric gameplay, where the player using the controller has one gameplay experience, while competing players using a
Wii Remote or a Wii U Pro Controller have different experiences. When using the "
Off TV Play" function, the controller can also function as a standalone screen without the use of a television screen.
Wii U Pro Controller[edit]
The
Wii U Pro Controller is the second controller released for the console, available separately. Like more traditional controllers, it features standard control sticks, buttons, and triggers. Nintendo unveiled the Pro Controller at
E3 2012 with the aim of attracting more "
hardcore" gamers to make the Wii U more competitive with
Sony and
Microsoft's offerings.
[88] Many video game journalists have noted the similarity between the controller and
Microsoft's
Xbox 360 Controller.
[89][90] Nintendo claims that the design of the Pro Controller is an “enhanced version” of the
Classic Controller and "offers a richer experience."
[91] Certain games with flexible control schemes, such as
Call of Duty: Black Ops II and
Trine 2: Director's Cut, are also compatible with the Classic Controller. The Wii U Pro Controller can last up to 80 hours before needing to be recharged.
[92]
The Wii U Pro Controller is not compatible with previous-generation Wii games.
[93]
Wii Remote[edit]
The
Wii Remote, also known
colloquially as the
Wiimote, and
Wii Remote Plus, which come with a built-in
Wii MotionPlus sensor, are also compatible with the Wii U. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its
motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via
gesture recognition and
pointing through the use of
accelerometer and
optical sensor technology. Another feature is its expand-ability through the use of attachments. The
Nunchuk, which complements the Wii Remote provides functions similar to those in the Wii U GamePad. Some other attachments include the
Classic Controller, which offers more traditional controls, similar to the Wii U Pro Controller, the
Wii Zapper, which is mainly used for
first person shooter games, and the
Wii Wheel, originally used for
Mario Kart Wii and now also compatible with
Mario Kart 8 among other Wii U racing games.
On July 13, 2013, Nintendo released an official battery pack and charger dock for the Wii Remote capable of lasting 13 hours of gameplay before needing to be recharged.
[94]
Near field communication (NFC)[edit]
The Wii U's
near field communication chip is located on the Wii U GamePad. The NFC chip can be used to allow users to import content from supported devices. This is achieved by placing the device on the Wii U GamePad. The NFC chip also has the ability to write information on items which can be used as a means of transferring information.
[95] Moreover, the NFC chip can also be used to make wireless transaction using supported credit cards by simply placing the credit card on top of the Wii U GamePad.
[96]
User interface[edit]
The Wii U uses both the Wii U Menu and the
Wii Mode depending on which application it is going to launch. The Wii U Menu is used to access applications built specifically for the Wii U system. On the other hand, the
Wii Mode activates the system's
backward compatibility with the original
Wii and launches the
Wii Menu.
The Wii U Menu is the main dashboard of the system and is directly integrated with Miiverse and the
Nintendo Network. It is a
graphical user interfacesimilar to the Wii's "
Wii Menu" and
Nintendo 3DS'
HOME Menu. It allows launching software stored on
Wii U optical discs, applications installed in the internal memory or an external storage device, or
Wii titles through the system's
"Wii Mode". Like the original Wii, discs can also be hot-swapped while in the menu. The Wii U Menu also allows users to access system applications such as the
Miiverse, surf the internet using the
Internet Browser, watch movies and TV shows on
Nintendo TVii, download apps through the
Nintendo eShop, and check for notifications.
[97] System settings, parental controls and the activity log can also be launched through the menu.
When the Wii U powers on, the television screen will show the WaraWara Plaza in which trending user status and comments on Miiverse are shown. Each user is represented by their respective
Mii and is often associated with a Miiverse community.
[98] Users can save any Mii on the WaraWara Plaza to their personal library,
Yeah! their post, write a comment, and send a friend request. By default, on the TV screen, the WaraWara Plaza is displayed while on the GamePad screen, application icons are displayed. These however can be swapped any time between the television screen and the GamePad screen.
The Home Menu (stylized as HOME Menu) can be accessed during any game or application through the user pressing the Home Button on the
Wii U GamePad,
Wii U Pro Controller or
Wii Remote. The Home Menu allows the user to launch certain multitasking applications, such as Miiverse, Nintendo TVii, Nintendo eShop, Friend List and the Internet Browser while a game or application is running. It also displays various information such as date and time, the wireless signal status, number of friends online, controller battery life and controller settings. Current downloads can also be managed in the Download Manager, which downloads and installs games and applications and their respective updates, as well as downloading
system updates in the background.
Wii Mode[edit]
The
Wii Mode is a fully virtual Wii system inside of the Wii U, with all of the limitations and privileges therein. When a
Wii game disc is inserted into the Wii U, the system automatically launches the Wii Mode. The Wii Mode system memory is limited to 512 MB, just like the Wii system memory is. The
SD Card Menu is also available on the Wii U's Wii Menu, just like it is on Wii, which an up to 32 GB
SDHC card can be inserted into the system. There are a few slight differences, however. The Wii System Settings are not accessible, only the data management settings. Although the
Wii Shop Channel is fully available, not all of the content is; the Netflix, Hulu Plus, and YouTube applications available on the Wii Shop Channel cannot be used on the Wii U.
TV Control[edit]
The Wii U GamePad has a "TV Control" feature that allows it to function as an
infrared TV remote which allows the user conveniently change channels, adjust volume or browse a programming guide, even when the system is not powered on. It is compatible with most cable and satellite providers' set-top boxes and most TV brands. Functionality may vary by country.
[99]
Software and services[edit]
Nintendo eShop[edit]
Main article:
Nintendo eShop
Nintendo eShop is Wii U's online distribution store. The eShop provides download-only Wii U titles, retail titles,
Virtual Console titles, and various others applications and video. It also allows users to purchase
downloadable content (DLC) and automatically download
patches for both physical and downloadable games. All content obtained from the Wii U's eShop is attached to the system, and can be transferred to another Wii U system.
[100] Background downloading is possible via
SpotPass while the system is in
sleep mode. Ten downloads can be queued up at a time and their status can be checked on the Home Menu. If notifications are activated, a pop-up message will appear on the lower center of the top screen to notify the user that a download is finished.
[citation needed]
The eShop also supports simple user reviews of games, applications and other media. Users can submit a software review with "stars" ranging from one to five, representing its quality in a crescent order. It is also possible to categorize apps by age and gender and as suitable for hardcore or more casual players. However, user reviews can only be submitted after using the software for at least one hour.
[citation needed]
Miiverse[edit]
Miiverse, portmanteau of "
Mii" and "
Universe", is an integrated communication system or
social networking service, which allows players to interact and share their experiences through their own Miis. Miiverse allows users to seamlessly share accomplishments, comments hand written and game screenshots notes with other users. Select games are integrated with Miiverse, where social interactions can also occur within the game. Miiverse is moderated through software filtering as well as a
human resource team in order to ensure that the content shared by users is appropriate and that no
spoilers are shared. In order to facilitate this, it was stated that comments posted could take up to 30 minutes to appear on Miiverse.
[101]
On April 25, 2013, Miiverse also became available on every internet enabled
smartphone,
tablet and
PC devices. It will also become available on the Nintendo 3DS later in the year.
[102]
Internet Browser[edit]
The Wii U also contains an
internet browser which allows users to browse the web on the Wii U GamePad and/or the television screen. It functions as a multitasking app on the Wii U and can be used while another game or application is suspended in the background.
[103] The browser is primarily controlled using the Wii U GamePad's touchscreen, or with the
analog stick to scroll through web pages and the D-pad to cycle through links on the page, similar to using a keyboard. It can play
HTML 5 video and audio in websites such as
YouTube and various other social media.
[104]The user can choose to hide the browser's view on the TV screen for privacy, which contains presentation effects such as the opening of stage curtains.
[105] The user can also choose between the
Google and
Yahoo! search engines. There is a text wrap option to automatically wrap text to the width of the screen at different zoom levels. Users can also create
bookmarks, with each user having its own set of personal bookmarks. The browser also supports up to 6 tabs simultaneously.
[106] Up to 32 pages can be stored into the browser's history before the older items start being replaced.
Nintendo TVii[edit]
Main article:
Nintendo TVii
Nintendo TVii is a free television based service which allows users to find programs on
Netflix,
Hulu Plus,
Amazon Instant Video, and on their cable network. Nintendo TVii also allows users to control their
TiVo DVR through the Wii U.
[107] Users are then able to select the source of the program they wish to watch and watch it on their television or on the
Wii U GamePad.
[108] By default, the GamePad screen shows information on the show currently being watched. This information includes reviews, screenshots, cast lists, trailers, and other general information about the show provided by
Wikipedia,
IMDb,
Rotten Tomatoes, as well as other individual source services. Nintendo TVii also has a dedicated sports section where the user can view player positions and highlights of the match updated in real-time.
Each user has its own personalized settings on Nintendo TVii, such as their preferences, favorite shows and sports teams, personal
Mii and
social network account integration. Users can then interact with their friends and the community by sharing and commenting on reactions to live moments on the current show, on social networks such as
Miiverse,
Facebook, and
Twitter, through the GamePad while they watch their show on the television screen.
The service is currently only available in selected regions. Nintendo TVii was made available with the Wii U's release in Japan on December 8, 2012.
[109] It was released in North America on December 20, 2012
[110] and is scheduled to be released in Europe sometime in 2013.
[111]
Other services[edit]
Nintendo is also working with
YouTube,
LoveFilm (United Kingdom and Ireland only),
Nico Nico Douga and YNN!
(Japan only) to bring streaming movie and television content to the Wii U. Nintendo had initially delayed the deployment of some media capabilities for the Wii U as it delayed its online infrastructure. Late in the launch day, a firmware update deployed the Netflix app.
[112] Then, access to the Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, and YouTube apps gradually became active later in the launch week.
Wii U Chat[edit]
Wii U Chat is Nintendo's online
video chat solution, powered by the
Nintendo Network. The service allows the users to use the
Wii U GamePad's front-facing camera to video chat with registered friends. While video chatting, only the Wii U GamePad is essentially needed, since the application is compatible with
Off-TV Play. Users can also draw on the GamePad during a chat session.
[113] If there is a game or another application already running, the GamePad's HOME button ring will flash indicating that there is an incoming call.
Wii Street U[edit]
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Wii Karaoke U[edit]
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Network features[edit]
Nintendo Network[edit]
Nintendo Network is Nintendo's unified network infrastructure similar to the Sony's
PlayStation Network and Microsoft's
Xbox Live, and succeeds the previous
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. The Wii U is the second system to support Nintendo's new network infrastructure, alongside the Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo outlined that the
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection was created as a way for developers to experiment with their own network infrastructures and concepts, whereas the Nintendo Network is a fully unified network service. Nintendo Network provides the means for online multiplayer and other online interactions such as leaderboards and communication, as well as downloads and streaming media services.
The Wii U uses a user account system much like the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, called
Nintendo Network ID. One Wii U system can contain up to twelve user accounts.
[114] The user account system on the Wii U replaces the previous
friend code model that was used on the original Wii, but does not eliminate use of friend codes on Wii games using the
Wii Mode. The
Nintendo Network administration team also has administrators to remove inappropriate content from its services, such as
Miiverse.
[115]
Nintendo Network Premium/Deluxe Digital Promotion[edit]
Nintendo Network Premium or
Deluxe Digital Promotion in North America, is a loyalty program similar to
PlayStation Plus offered on
PlayStation Network. Consumers who purchase the Wii U Deluxe Pack
(North America) / Premium Pack
(Europe and Japan) will receive a free two-year subscription to this service which lets Wii U owners receive points for each download purchase. Members who buy games and apps through the Wii U Nintendo eShop will receive ten percent of the price back in the form of
Nintendo Points, which can subsequently be put towards future online purchases on both the Wii U's and Nintendo 3DS's eShop. The promotion is currently planned through December 2014.
[citation needed]
SpotPass[edit]
Similar to
Nintendo 3DS's more distinctly mobile
SpotPass functionality, the
Spotpass feature is an online utility which is built into the Wii U system. It allows the Wii U to automatically download available content via
Wi-Fi in the background even when the Wii U is already running an application, or powered off in
sleep mode. Content that can be downloaded via SpotPass include full game and application downloads,
firmware updates, patches, and specific in-game content. It can be customized to fit the user's preferences, including opting it out altogether for selected software. Content currently being downloaded can be viewed in the Download Manager, accessed via the Wii U's
Home Menu.
Trine 2: Director's Cut was a North American and European launch title on the eShop. This scene from the
Dwarven Caverns chapter is exclusive to the Wii U version.
The Wii U was launched with 29 games in North America on November 18, 26 games in Europe and 25 games in Australia on November 30, and 11 games in Japan on December 8, 2012. Download-only games via
Nintendo eShop were also available on launch day for the Wii U in North America, Europe, and Australia. Titles developed or published by Nintendo that were released alongside the Wii U's launch or early in its lifespan include
Nintendo Land,
New Super Mario Bros. U and
Lego City Undercover,
[116] Third-party "launch window titles" include
Darksiders II,
Assassin's Creed III,
Mass Effect 3,
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge,
Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition,
Just Dance 4,
Madden NFL 13, and
Scribblenauts Unlimited, as well as exclusives such as
ZombiU and
Rabbids Land.
Off-TV Play[edit]
Main article:
Off-TV Play
The
Off-TV Play feature lets the user play games only on the
Wii U GamePad controller using its embedded touchscreen, without the need for the television to be powered on. This feature is available on certain games only.
Asymmetric gameplay[edit]
Asymmetric gameplay is a form of
multiplayer in video games in which multiple players can play the same game simultaneously in different ways and rules. For example, one players is playing the same game with different gameplay mechanics and rules on the
Wii U GamePad's screen while the rest of the players are playing the same game with different gameplay mechanics and rules on the television screen.
[118] This feature is a major component of various Wii U games such as
Nintendo Land and
New Super Mario Bros. U.
Dual screen multiplayer mode is also a unique feature of Wii U. It functions similarly to a traditional
split screen multiplayer mode without the need for an actual split screen. The Wii U GamePad and the TV can function as two separate screens, offering each player a full screen experience. Compared to
Ad-hoc multiplayer, dual screen multiplayer is rendered on the same console and does not require two independent systems and multiple copies of the game.
Virtual Console[edit]
Backward compatibility[edit]
The Wii U is compatible with most
Wii games, both on disc and download. Wii accessories such as the
Wii Remote (
Plus),
Wii Nunchuk, and the
Wii Balance Board also remain compatible.
[121]It is also possible to move most downloaded software and save files from the Wii to the Wii U.
[80] While original Wii games are playable on the Wii U system, they cannot be played on the Wii U GamePad.
[122] However, the release of the fourth version of the system update allow players to see the Wii gameplay on the GamePad screen when playing.
Despite the Wii's general compatibility with
GameCube games, the Wii U is not compatible with GameCube discs or accessories, although Nintendo has stated that some GameCube games will be available as
Virtual Console titles through the
Nintendo eShop.
[16]
Reception[edit]
The Wii U received mixed reviews. John Teti of
The A.V. Club's Gameological Society considers the Wii U a compelling video game system which lacks focus, citing
Nintendo Land as "ideas act[ing] in service of the technology" simply to show off features of the console.
[123] Ben Gilbert of
Engadget states that Nintendo delivers on its promise of releasing "a modern HD gaming console," but notes that, "there are also some major missteps and half-baked ideas: a befuddling Friends List / Miiverse connection, a complete lack of many system-wide console standards (group chat, achievements, the ability to play non-game disc-based media) and a game controller that lasts only 3.5 hours," and stated that he could not give a complete assessment of the console with online components such as Nintendo TVii missing at launch time.
[124] Similarly,
TechRadar praised the system's GamePad functionality and HD graphics, but criticized the limited battery power for the GamePad, and that there was not much of a system selling game around its launch period.
[125] Some industry figures have claimed that the Wii U is not an 8th generation console,
[126][127][128] with many citing the hardware as the reason.
[129][130] Reggie Fils-Aime, COO of Nintendo of America, however, has noted that similar comments were made in 2006 when the Wii first launched.
[131]
By May 2013,
Electronic Arts announced that they were dialing back support for the console and had no games in development for it at the time,
[132] but they partially reconsidered this decision a few days later, with EA's CFO announcing that "We are building titles for the Nintendo console, but not anywhere near as many as we are for Playstation or Xbox".
[133] At
E3 2013, Ubisoft revealed that they were not going to make any more exclusives for the Wii U until sales of the console improved,
[134] though they stated shortly after that they are still "big supporters" of the Wii U, and plan to release as many Wii U games in 2013 as they did in 2012.
[135] Bethesda Softworks has announced that as of July 2013 they have no games in development for the Wii U, with Bethesda VP of PR and marketing Pete Hines explaining the decision: "It depends on the games that we are making and how we think it aligns with that console, and how the hardware aligns with the other stuff we are making".
[136] This explanation was later refined to being largely due to the hardware.
[137] Contrarily,
Activision has stated that they will "do everything they can" to support the system and would continue to develop games for it.
[138]Life-to-date number of units shipped, in millions
| Date | Japan | America | Other | Total | Increase |
|---|
| 2012-12-31[139] | 0.83 | 1.32 | 0.90 | 3.06 | N/A |
|---|
| 2013-03-31[140] | 0.92 | 1.52 | 1.01 | 3.45 | 12.7% |
|---|
| 2013-06-30[2] | 1.01 | 1.58 | 1.02 | 3.61 | 4.6% |
|---|
As of 30 June 2013, Nintendo reports 3.61 million units have been shipped worldwide.
[2]
During its first week of release in the United States, Nintendo sold its entire allotment of over 400,000 Wii U units
[141] and sold a total of 425,000 units for the month of November, according to the
NPD Group.
[142] It also sold over 40,000 consoles in the UK in its first weekend.
[143] In Japan, over 600,000 Wii U units were sold during December 2012.
[144] According to the NPD Group, nearly 890,000 Nintendo Wii U units were sold in the United States after 41 days on the market.
[141] In the three months leading up to June 2013 it sold 160,000 units, which was down 51% from the three months prior.
[145]
In January 2013, the Wii U sold 57,000 units in the US.
[146] By comparison, the original
Wii sold 435,000 in January 2007, also two months after launch.
[147] Initial sales numbers in the US and other territories were lower than expected, resulting in Nintendo cutting sales projections for
fiscal year 2013 by 17 percent, from 5.5 million to 4 million;
[148] the system actually ended up selling 3.5 million units.
[149] At the end of July 2013, Walmart subsidiary
Asda, the second-largest supermarket chain in the UK, confirmed that they had no plans to stock the Wii U, but would still stock games "on a title by title merit basis".
[150] Despite this, many specialist retailers continued to emphasize their support, with
GameCEO Martyn Gibbs saying "We fully support all Nintendo products, including Wii U."
[151]
See also[edit]
