Reggie Fils-Aime takes the stage, and tells us how much he feels like a purple Pikmin. Greeting the audience in the Nokia Theatre, Fils-Aime goes on to talk the usual marketing talk about the Wii U, describing how it changes gaming habits and interactions.
The Wii U is going to have access to several media services, such as Netflix and Hulu, before he gives way to the line-up of almost two dozen Nintendo games.
It’s all about how the Wii U can act as a social experience, says Fils-Aime. “Asymmetric Gameplay” teases Fils-Aime to the crowd, before he confirms that the Wii U will ship with two gamepads.
We’re then treated to more details on the controller itself, which has accelerometers, microphones, infrared, gyroscopes, stereo speakers and more, in this tech-heavy device.
Next, Fils-Aime shows us Mii-Verse, a massive hub of Nintendo Mii characters, that gather around individual Wii U titles and entertainment. They also communicate with each other, sharing social information.
Screenshots from games can also be shared, with facial expressions being a choosable option for networking. The Miiverse, says Fils-Aime, will also be accessible from the 3DS, and other PC devices, after launch.
The Wii U console may be a new generation of gaming for Nintendo, but the controller is going to be at the heart of that experience.
Last Updated: June 5, 2012