Nintendo finally launched Wii U, their next generation gaming console, that features the GamePad.  The GamePad is what sets the Wii U apart from other gaming consoles since it can act as a secondary gaming screen or a standalone screen so you never lose your progress.  But others are said to be in the process of creating a gaming tablet as well, so let’s look at what gaming has in store for us now and in the future.

As it’s Cyber Monday, and you might already have a Wii U, so perhaps you’re in the market for a mobile device to keep you company while out shopping or on the road. Here’s a short list of what you might like to get your hands on while prices are cheap.

GamePad

It features a 6.2-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio LCD touch screen, aside from the traditional button controls, front-facing camera and two analog sticks. Inputs include a +Control Pad, L/R sticks, L/R stick buttons, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons, ZL/ZR buttons, Power button, HOME button, -/SELECT button, +/START button, and TV CONTROL button.

The GamePad also includes motion control powered by an accelerometer, gyroscope and geomagnetic sensor, a front-facing camera, a microphone, stereo speakers, rumble features, a sensor bar, and comes with a stylus and support for Near Field Communication functionality.  It is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and weighs approximately 1.1 pounds (500 g).

PS Vita

A hand-held gaming system that features a 5” OLED multi-touch screen with a rear touch pad to give you greater control and free up the touchscreen, a six axis motion sensor for a much more engaging playing experience, front and rear cameras, and GPS, analog dual sticks.  It as Cross Play feature which enables players to start playing on the PlayStation 3 and continue their game on the PS Vita.  While using the PS Vita, you can also join other gamers who are playing on their PS 3.  This might not be a tablet but it offers the same experience as Wii U’s GamePad.

Xbox Surface

A 7-inch  gaming tablet that will sport a custom ARM processor and high-bandwidth RAM designed specifically for gaming.  The tablet will not have a full version of Windows but only a customized Windows kernel.  It will still have the basic functionalities of a tablet such as messaging but the focus is on gaming.  No news yet if it will compatible for use with the Xbox 360 or their next generation gaming console.  Microsoft has yet to confirm this rumor.

Wikipad

An Android tablet that features a 10.1-inch HD, Gorilla glass display, an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, twelve-core GPU, built in Gyroscope, Compass, and 3-Axis Accelerometer, and comes with a professional controller to make gaming on tablets easy and enjoyable.  It boasts of a smart game navigation via their virtual “carousel” which organizes your games depending on the market where you downloaded it or going to download it from.  You can choose from Google Play, Amazon App Store, NVidia Tegrazone and it’s one of the tablet certified for PlayStation Mobile so games such as OMG Zombies, Samurai Beatdown, and Super Crate Box will be available for download.  Wikipad was supposed to be available last October 31 but the release has been delayed.  No news yet as to when it will be available for purchase.  Retail shops such as Best Buy, Target and Walmart will carry Wikipad upon launch but gamers can also purchase the tablet on Amazon.com.

Not everything mentioned above is a gaming tablet but because of the touchscreen, they see like tablets.  As for who among them produced the best gaming product, that’s for gamers to decide.  Everyone has their own preference, I for one is in favor of the PS Vita since I’m more accustomed to playing on the PS 3.  While some would say Wii U is better.  AS for the Xbox Surface and the Wkipad, they haven’t came out yet, so no news yet if they are any better.