Wii U - Details Revealed

Finally, the details are in! The long awaited details of the upcoming Wii U have finally been revealed in a press release during this years E3 conference. 

Nintendo's successor to the Wii, is certainly a vast improvement on the gaming console and this time around Nintendo has packed some features into the new device which we all wished was available on the Wii. The Wii-U weighs in at approximately 3.5lbs, and is also smaller than it's predecessor with dimensions of 1.8 inches high, 10.5 inches deep, and 6.8 inches long. 

The CPU is an IBM PowerⓇ-based multi-core processor, and the unit also sports a AMD Radeon™-based High Definition GPU.  Storage wise the Wii U uses internal flash memory, supports SD cards as the original Wii did, however this time around the new Wii U also supports external USB storage... a very nice feature as flash drives are far more common place than SD cards. 

The Wii U is also backwards compatible, able to run both Wii & Wii U discs. Additionally nearly all the software and accessories you purchased for your Wii will also work with the new console! (A very nice feature indeed)

As with the previous version of this console, internet access is also available on the Wii U. Wireless access is built into the unit and should you prefer a hardline connection  4 USB ports on the device (2 in front, 2 in the rear) are able to support Wii LAN adapters. 

The Wii U now supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i video output, which is a substantial upgrade over the Wii.... all we need now is 1080p capable games.

Along with the hardware / software upgrades, the Wii U also hosts a bevy of features. These include Miiverse, TV remote control (your game pad controller may now function as an infrared TV remote), near field communication, Nintendo eshop, video entertainment (such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, and YouTube), video chat and a built in internet browser. 

All in all this seems to be a vast improvement upon the Nintendo Wii, and I am eagerly awaiting my chance to pick up one of the new Nintendo Wii U's scheduled to be released during the 2012 holiday season. For more information check out Nintendo's E3 webpage here.