Ahead of the Electronic Entertainment Expo or E3, Nintendo already unveiled details about their upcoming gaming console Wii U.  The company needs to make a huge comeback after disappointing sales for the DS3 and the 2006 Wii console.  They need to prove that they’re still in the game.

In a video released on their YouTube channel, Nintendo president Saturo Iwata discusses how their company is bringing something unique for gamers at E3 on Tuesday.

We can’t deny the fact that today’s technology is driving us away from each other as it keeps us together.  Confusing right?  Well, it’s not really.  If there’s a gathering or a get-together with your friends or family, you send them text messages or e-mails, call them or whatever in order to invite them.  But when you get there, people are too fixated on their gadgets that it doesn’t really feel like a proper gathering.

And that’s what Nintendo aims to solve with the Wii U and their new game controller called the Wii U GamePad.  Though the GamePad was revealed at last year’s E3, it was just a prototype which needed more tweaking.  The new GamePad now features two joysticks which allows for a 360 control which is quite useful for hardcore gamers.  But the cool thing about the joystick is that it can be pushed down giving you even more control.  They have also redesigned the look and feel of the GamePad in order to keep players comfortable even when used for a long period of time.

They’ve also added new features such as an NFC Reader/Writer, and a TV control button that lets you use the GamePad as your TV’s remote control or even as your cable remote even if the Wii U is turned off.  It lets you toggle between TV and Wii U functions effortlessly.  Also, the GamePad can connect you socially or just let you browse the web even if the console if turned off as it functions independently.

Gaming made real

The best thing about Wii U is that if you have a Wii, you can still use the games from your old console on your new one plus the controllers on the old one, such as the remote, nunchuk and balance board, are still compatible with the new Wii U so nothing would go to waste, well aside from the old Wii console, everything would still be usable.  But if you’re a harcore gamer who needs to have a proper gaming controller, Nintendo offers the Wii U Pro Controller.

The GamePad also brings new meaning to gaming as it turns into a second screen wherein it can serve as your golf ball when playing Golf.  It fosters assymetric diversity in gameplay wherein your TV screen and your GamePad screen shows different things making things more interesting and realistic.

More features

The GamePad features a touchscreen wherein users can either choose to use their hands or stylus that comes with the GamePad which would allow then to sketch things or control games easily.  The GamePad also feature Motion and Gyro sensors which helps gamers play better.

It wasn’t clear though how much the graphic quality of the Wii U improved compared to the original Wii.  That’s the main reason why it wasn’t that popular, the games are quite pixelated and it looks like the characters were created by kids or people with the affinity of creating characters with lots of edges.  Hopefully the Wii U solved this eyesore of a problem.

And since the GamePad functions independently from the Wii U console, gamers can continue playing on the GamePad even if people around you chose to watch TV. So it’s like getting two consoles when you buy a Wii U.

Aiming for disconnection?

Nintendo aims to bring people together with their Miiverse–a social networking platform created for Wii users.  But the thing that bothers me is the skit on their video regarding keeping people connected.  The dude playing the zombie game ditched his friend to go and listen to the advice of an unknown person.  So that’s just weird.  It keeps you connected with people you don’t know by giving you the option of ignoring people you actually know.  That’s just weird.