REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Nintendo released a global Nintendo Direct video revealing new information about the upcoming Wii U game console, including details about the system’s touch-screen controller, the Wii U GamePad. In the video, which can be viewed online at http://www.youtube.com/nintendo, Nintendo Global President Satoru Iwata illustrates how Wii U will revolutionize how people connect with games, each other and entertainment through the system’s unique and integrated second-screen controller. The Nintendo Direct video included information about:

New ways to play: With the television and the Wii U GamePad working as two integrated screens, Wii U creates unique possibilities for gaming, allowing “asymmetric” game play where each player can have different goals, challenges and views within the same shared gaming experience.

Miiverse: Miiverse is a brand-new network communication system that lets gamers from around the world share experiences, discuss games and discover new content. Using their personalized Mii character, players enter Miiverse and see games, applications or entertainment content that either they have interacted with recently, expressed interest in learning more about or that their friends are using or discussing. From here they can challenge their friends to play together, ask a question about a difficult level or discover new elements of their favorite games they never knew existed. After a notable achievement or other share-worthy moment, players can pause their game or application and seamlessly post messages to the Miiverse community.

Wii U GamePad controls: In addition to the previously announced touch-screen and motion controls, the Wii U GamePad was redesigned and improved from its reveal in 2011. The new form factor offers players dual analog stick controls and can be used as a remote control for users’ TVs, even while the Wii U console is turned off. Nintendo also announced availability of the Wii U Pro Controller as a separate peripheral.

Wii compatibility: All game discs for the Wii system are compatible with Wii U, and the system will support controllers for the Wii system.

Additional information about Wii U will be revealed at the Nintendo All-Access Presentation @ E3 2012, beginning at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, June 5. To follow all of Nintendo’s news and announcements from the E3 Expo, visit http://e3.nintendo.com, and watch for updates on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

For more information about Nintendo, visit http://www.nintendo.com.

Source: Nintendo PR

Genius! Damn Ninty dropped the ball there (though at the end they were saying the Miiverse is intended to span the 3DS as well as their future consoles, the they may have been trying not to associate it with Wii U too much)

3DS will be at E3!!!

On the eShop news, they have updated with a new message. Here is what the message says:

"Throughout the week, visit the Nintendo eShop for information revealed at E3 about upcoming games for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U systems. For a limited time, you can also download trailers for select Nintendo 3DS games."

Also, you can now watch the entire Nintendo Direct conference on the eShop!

Great

I quite like it.

The only thing I found off-putting was that you would seem to be constantly connected to your "friends."
DO NOT WANT!

i hope nintendo comes correct with online, but i just wont believe it until i see it. they've improved with the 3ds, but its still no where near where it could be with online play. nintendo needs to desperately get their online act together, lets hope the miiverse is a serious step forward...

I'm sure the online status will be able to turn off is you don't want to be bother.T
he power of the Wii U will be unveil tomorrow at their press conference,
and gamers will a more sense of what Nintendo is going to offer over all.

I have one, VERY IMPORTANT question about this:

Can I turn it off?

I'm fine with it being included, and it seems like plenty of you love it, but I don't always want so much clutter in my games.

@noname2200 I believe so.

@noname2200, @Pokemonbrawlvg

LOL! Well, from what I understood from Pokemonbrawlvg's post in the other thread, there's a simplified system menu. It was not mentioned if it can be turned 'off' but it can apparently be switched back and forth between the TV and the Wii U gamepad.