Interest

Nintendo Previews More Wii U Features Before E3

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata presented an update on its upcoming Wii U home console during its "Nintendo Direct Pre E3 2012" web stream, two days before Nintendo's actual E3 press conference.

Wii U GamePad

• "GamePad" is the new name for the console's tablet-like controller, in homage to the name long given to controllers for Nintendo's previous consoles
• Compared to last year's prototypes, the GamePad now has dual sticks that can be pushed down like buttons
• The buttons have also been rearranged for better comfort
• The previously revealed NFC (near-field-communication) reader and writer allows the GamePad to interact with certain other items by simply bringing them close together
• A new TV button turns the GamePad into a touchscreen television remote control with infrared support
• Iwata presented a video to show that the GamePad's camera can be used for video chatting

Wii U Pro Controller

• Nintendo revealed an optional new Pro Controller that people can use for traditional game controls

Miiverse

• Miiverse is not only Wii U's worldwide social networking system for interacting with other players' Mii avatars, but also the main menu of the system when starting up
• All Wii U games will be Miiverse compatible, and the player can pull up the Miiverse screen at any time during gameplay

[Via Siliconera, Hachima Kikō]