| 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, GameCube controller (via an adapter) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi Bluetooth USB 2.0 x4 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 and 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. It features a 6-inch touchscreen capable of streaming gameplay seen on the TV screen, serving an original purpose to the intended game, or playing 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 by itself is not directly backwards-compatible with GameCube discs and controllers. However, an official adapter was made to connect GameCube controllers to a Wii U; the adapter, however, is designed to work only with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
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
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U was released for the Wii U on November 21st, 2014 in North America, in Europe on November 28, 2014, in Australia and New Zealand on November 29, 2014, and in Japan on December 6, 2014. 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. (on Virtual Console for Wii); there are no plans to add GameCube games to the Virtual Console, but members of Nintendo such as Reggie Fils-Aime have expressed interest in adding GameCube games to the Virtual Console. If so, the Wii U would allow one to play all four games in the series on the Wii U, aside from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Gallery
The Wii U GamePad.
The Wii U Pro Controller.
The Wii U GameCube controller adapter.
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
| Nintendo consoles | |
|---|---|
| Home consoles | Color TV-Game 15 · Nintendo Entertainment System · Super Nintendo Entertainment System · Virtual Boy · Nintendo 64 · Nintendo GameCube · Wii · Wii U |
| Handheld consoles | Game & Watch · Game Boy · Game Boy Color · Game Boy Advance · Nintendo DS · Nintendo 3DS |
| Hybrid consoles | Nintendo Switch |