The big news from Nintendo is that a brand new Wii is coming, and it will use a new type of controller that features a 6 inch touchscreen.
Scheduled for a 2012 release date, Nintendo’s new “Wii U” console will be updated with high definition graphics and a new controller allowing gamers to not only see the action, but also effectively turn their TV and Wii gaming experience into a supersized Nintendo DSi console.
The new controller integrates a touchscreen, analog control pads, directional pad, buttons, accelerometer, gyroscope, rumble pack, camera, microphone, stereo speakers, sensor strip, and a stylus, making it one of Nintendo’s biggest combined technological devices.
What will all of this do? From what we’re seeing, gamers will be able to be a fifth gamer in multiplayer games with a screen only they can see, adopt a different style of gameplay more like that found on the Nintendo DSi consoles, and even play games on the Wii U when the TV is switched to something else (or off).
Interestingly, we’re hearing that the controller will only come with the new console when it’s released next year, forcing all other players to adopt the “traditional” Wiimote and Nunchuk controllers that have dominated the Wii landscape for the past few years.
The good news is that it will be backwards compatible, with Nintendo telling us that “the new console supports all Wii controllers and input devices” as well as “12-centimeter Wii optical discs”, although given its 2012 expected release date, we won’t expect Wii games to be discontinued anytime soon.
I think this is a fantastic conceptual idea however it will definitely be up to the developers to sell it. Flicking youtube videos onto a main screen ground or seeing a golf ball on the ground just isnt that appealing, and not enough to sell a system.
One way i can see this working is having the touch screen as some kind of inventory where you can quickly look down to see items or a map, giving more information to the player whilst decluttering the main screen in a single player game. From what i understand though it also seems limited to a single tablet per console which is a major shame, i can think of many opportunities that giving two or more players different information would be beneficial from things as simple as card games to more complex rpg or fps.
We will have to wait and see i guess but i think the screen being released by sony may show much more promise and enable players to interact whilst “hidding” information from each other may prove to be more multiplayer fun instead of only one player able to “hide” information from others.
Ill be first in line for this one!