Wii U

Wii U
File:Wii U Unit.jpg File:Wii U Logo.png
Manufacturer	Nintendo
Type	Video game console
Generation	Eighth generation era
First available	November 18, 2012 November 30, 2012 November 30, 2012 December 8, 2012
CPU	Tri-core PowerPC750-family "Espresso"
GPU	AMD Radeon HD series "Latte"
Media	12 cm Wii U Optical Disc, 12 cm Wii Optical Disc
System storage	Internal flash memory, SD card, SDHC Card, USB mass storage device
Controller input	Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Remote, Nunchuk, Classic Controller
Connectivity	Wi-Fi Bluetooth USB 2.0 x2 LAN Adapter (via USB)
Online service	Nintendo Network
Backward compatibility	Wii
Predecessor	Wii
Article on Nintendo Wiki	Wii U

The Wii U is the sixth home video game console released by Nintendo. The console is the direct successor to the Wii. It competes with Sony's PlayStation 4 and Microsoft's Xbox One console in the eighth generation of video game systems.

The console is capable of 1080p graphics, but its main distinguishing feature is its controller, the Wii U GamePad featuring a 6-inch touchscreen capable of streaming gameplay seen on the TV screen, serving an original purpose to the intended game, or play the whole game altogether. The controller also features a camera. The Wii U is backwards-compatible with the Wii, supporting up to four Wii Remotes and all such accessories. A more traditional controller called the Wii U Pro Controller is also available. Unlike the Wii, the Wii U is not directly backwards-compatible with GameCube discs and controllers. However, an adapter is in development to connect GameCube controllers to a Wii U, and it has been confirmed that Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will support GameCube controllers.

Nintendo first spoke of the console at the 2011 E3 press conference, before revealing new details at a Nintendo Direct conference one day before E3 2012.

In the Super Smash Bros. series

The currently in-development Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is said to be released for the Wii U in the holiday season of 2014, after the Nintendo 3DS version. As the Wii U is backwards-compatible with Wii games and the Wii Virtual Console, the console can also run Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros.; the addition of GameCube games to the Virtual Console is not currently planned, but members of Nintendo such as Reggie Fils-Aime have expressed interest in adding GameCube games to the Virtual Console. If true, the Wii U would allow one to play all four games in the series on the Wii U.

Gallery

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  The Wii U GamePad.

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  The Wii U Pro Controller.

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  The Wii U GameCube controller adapter.

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  An example of the Wii U GameCube controller adapter in use.

Trivia

• This is the first Nintendo home console since the SNES to share a portion of its name with its predecessor.
• According to Yoshiaki Koizumi, the Wii U was never shown to Nintendo's software development team prior to its unveiling at E3 2011.

External links

• Official channel on YouTube