Take a Closer Look at the Wii U Console

Nerd porn. Console got back!

that orange port indicates that it'll have a sensor bar ;_______________;

_{FFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU}

@1 Haha, nice.

Didn't realise how long it was until seeing that side picture. Looks pretty similar to the Wii. It's not bad, but I was hoping for something maybe a little different.

@2 Yeah, but I guess it's because it's fully backwards compatible with Wii, and also it can use a combination of Wii U controller and Wiimotes for some multiplayer gaming. I don't think the Wii U controller itself will use sensor bar.

I wonder if there's a toslink out slot anywhere on the console? Maybe behind that cover on the front? This probably holds an SD card slot, but what else?

@4 I looks like it's pretty tiny judging by the disc drive. And that's awesome.

it's not the final version! IMHO
even remotely!!

golly, that new wii is long and skinny... WAIT, what did i just type?

LOL Double entendre in the second picture's caption.

@2 - that'll be because it's backwards compatible with the wii. Bit pointless NOT having a slot for a sensor bar.

The size of the Wii was grandious so it would be great if it stays that way. I just wish it will look different enough. So people won't just assume you have a "simple" Wii standing there. When they're looking from a distance.
I hope it comes with a stand again too. _{And i still think they should just call that thing "(Nintendo) U".}
A small problem for me will be to get a HDMI cable that hooks up to the TV and sound system. Adding in that the sound system i recently own only features optical cables anyway.
But we'll see about that if i someday get a Wii U.

Edit: Maybe a few more USB ports couldn't hurt too.

@5 The Wii U controller will use the sensor bar. Look at the videos of it in action (esp the shield one), they're clearly using the sensor bar to "zero" the gyros on the Wii U controller.

@11 - Nintendo's already confirmed it has four USB slots. The other two are probably at the front with the SD card slot.

Chances are this isn't the final version (design-wise yes, tech-wise probably not) - it wouldn't surprise me if this one includes only the ports it needed for its E3 showing.

I wonder if it will run any post-processing, antialiasing, or other smoothing on the output of original Wii games, in order to improve their appearance over HDMI. Here's hoping.

Looks pretty.

i want one, but in black please!!!

It's alot longer than I expected.
Still, not bad looking

Preeeettyyyy...

It's so slick. I like it.

@18 haha I think there's a 'thats what your mum said' joke in there somewhere.
@17 same as above lol

lmao it's already got a few fans. Keep up the good work james

@LTD I've got the same problem. I'd love to display the system in gorgeous 1080p on the 56" screen (via HDMI). I'd also like to connect it up to the surround-sound system which only accepts RCA sound (The Built-in speakers aren't even worth the space they take up.).

I'm also curious about what lies behind the system's looming front flap (and why'd they put the sync button out in the open?).

For me Wiiu now only need optic port for optic cable, or Nintendo should give some Audio Adapter cable(like with the old version of X360) because i really want this time Dolby 5.1 not only Dolby Pro Logic II, it's 2011 Nintendo should understand that Dolby Pro Logic II isn't the best choice for a real HD console...

@shinesprite Pretty sure that the SD card is under the flap. And the Sync button might have just been there due to E3, and the need to sync if issues arise.

Ooh, looks like Wii's sexy cousin!

Wii U, Y U NO LAN CABLE PORT?

Agree it could use an optical port (any chance HDMI video will work with red/white audio?, PS3 added auto switching with a firmware update last year). Needs LAN port, though all Wii accessories are supposed to work so maybe the USB LAN adapter?

I think the sync button is outside for the expected constant switching of Wiimotes between Wii and WiiU. Put the Wii in the kids room.

HEY LOOK points HDMI! I'm sold lol I love how thats like the only new thing on the back of the system, nice and simple and can still use everything else. Right on!!!

I hope it will use RCA because not all TVs have HDMI cords.

Its a lot longer then I thought it would be XD

The size is a huge factor for me, so I'm happy it's small. Sensor bar is a good thing, some people had said the IR LEDs would be situated on the WiiU controller, which would just be cumbersome, albeit wireless.

The shape is a little weird though.
Will it be able to stand vertically, like the Wii? I certainly hope so!

Here's hoping it will also be lighter and quieter than Wii.

....I wonder....does the slot still light up blue like the Wii does?
I love that, lol

Judging from the size my guess is we WILL get only 8 GB of flash memory as there's no space for a proper HDD inside that case. Since we can use external USB HDDs that won't be a huge problem as we won't be paying a huge premium price for a propietary HDD (right MS?).

@BellGoRiiing: It should light green so I can have a little light show between this and my Wii hehe.

It should allow to change the color this time, so I could change it to orange. xD (orange and blue, woohoo! xD)

Wow that design is hideous compared to the Wii.

smoooooth.... its like a pillow!

I dnt like the longness of it, the Wii even looked better than that.

Ehh, I'm not that concerned. As Reggie said in interviews, the console is "just a box." The interface and how we play the games, i.e., the controller, is what's important. Hence their focus on just that.

hmmm so its small so what, makes it better for me to place anywhere in my home entertainment setup. technology advances every 6 months i think, so its only understandable that they can pack a lot into a small case. so keep costs down ninty and push that power out..

I'm liking the look of it...

@JesusSaves: ...Are you serious? I honestly can't believe how many complaints I've seen about GC functionality not being offered anymore since the Wii U's announcement. This is on a different level, though. If you still want GC functionality that bad, keep your Wii or pick up a GameCube. Eventually the line must be drawn, you know...

@42 Yeah, I wish it had GameCube controller ports so I could use my GameCube controllers with games like Super Smash Bros. Brawl and the N64 Virtual Console games. Taking out GameCube compatability is one thing, but this negatively affects how we can play Wii games.

@Straw_Hat_Luffy

This.

@ BulbasaurusRex I agree with you! I find using the game cube controller for Super Mario 64 is easier than the N64's one and C.C!

So, where are the USB ports?

@39 yep that's what's wrong with it. I always liked the curved retro look though.

We need a Wii-specific GameCube controller that plugs into the remote.

It definitely needs an optical audio output. My receiver doesn't have HDMI inputs, so my only way of getting digital audio from my game systems is by using optical cables. I'll end up having to buy a new receiver if they don't fix this, which is an expense, that I'd rather not have right now.

I need the GameCube ports to play Dance Dance Revolution.

Guess no network port...man playing online with wifi will be kinda slow, unless if it's 802.11n.

@49 There actually is one called the Hori Classic Controller (including turbo settings and claiming partial GameCube game support), but it's an expensive import that's only been released in Japan. I've bought one, but I'd rather not spend the money on more.

I still think a big plus would be for Nintendo to allow for hardwiring into a home network directly from the console, &/or making, & allowing for internet transceivers to be plugged in via usb. Both options would be nice to have actually.

Likewise, I think Nintendo should allow the console to have a sensor built-in, & give the user the option of allowing the console's internal sensor to pick up controller activity(whether that be Wii, &/or WiiU controllers), or to utilize a sensor bar plugged into either a dedicated port for such an ext. on the back of the console(as pictured above, & like on Wii as well), or plugged into usb.

These would really make the system versatile into the options of where it can be placed, & how.

It reminds me of the external hard drives on my old amiga, which can only be a good thing.

I hope Nintendo or 3rd parties will provide a way to connect a GC controller to a wiimote at least. Then again, that would only make sense if there's GC game support via Virtual Console. Questions, questions, and the fate of backward compatibility for the GC... Guess we'll have to just be more patient for more details.

Awesome! Now if they will just get rid of the high gloss white I will buy one at launch. Otherwise I have no intention of ever picking one up.

@15: I'd rather have an option that allows the Wii U to switch it's resolution to 480p when playing a Wii game and then back to 1080p when back at the Wii U menu. It would be a nice alternative to those who don't like when a 480p image is stretched to 1080p and then has filters placed all over it. (I'm not sure which is better, but the 3DS has certainly scared me from stretching and filters on older games with lower resolution, though DS games used as much pixels as the screen had, which is not the case for HD TVs and Wiis....)

Me wants one

Well looks like a Nintendo Console. I would like it if at launch Nintendo made the Wii U available in Black. I waited until the Wii was available in Black to buy one. Same with the Gamecube.

Nintendo does like the apple white scheme. I hope that they make Wii U in black.