07th, June

SG E3 2011: In Case You Were Confused about the WiiU (UPDATED)

Between finding something to eat and the show officially opening up in a few minutes, I’d like to touch really quickly (and oh so gently) on the recent Nintendo press conference. It had a very slow start, or it at least it felt that way for us in the liveblog, since it was concentrating more on Zelda orchestra music rather than actual game content. But then it got better with the announcement of games that the Nintendo 3DS should have launched with (Starfox 3D, Luigi’s Mansion 2, Mario Kart 3D, etc.). Then it was the time we were all waiting for: the new Nintendo system!

Or at least it’s companion: the WiiU.

UPDATE: The system is called the WiiU, the controller the WiiU controller. It doesn’t change anything about this article other than confirm the conference did cause some confusion for some of its audience. They never revealed details about the system itself, just the controller. 

The WiiU controller is basically a tablet that functions as a controller and non-portable device for the new Nintendo console. When it was being featured, the noun used to describe the WiiU was a “controller.” But then during Reggie’s speech and even the video talking about the third-party support (thanks for recognizing the hardcore market again Nintendo), the noun “console” and “system” were used interchangeably. By the end of the conference, I assumed the WiiU controller was just a controller. Others kept refuting that it was their new console, considering all the HD talk and the new games that will be playable on it: Metro: Last Light, Ghost Recon Online, Darksiders II, and others to come.

Thus, to make sense of that slighlty confusing press conference, the WiiU controller is just a controller – and a good one at that, until we see the price that is. The actual console, the WiiU, which was seen under the TV during the demo of the WiiU controller, was not talked about at all.

The WiiU controller has a 6.2-inch touchscreen, a microphone, a gyroscope, dual analog controls, two triggers, two shoulder buttons, a stylus, HD visuals… and probably takes away your virginity. The greatest aspect about it (besides finally making you a man/woman), is that it allows you to still play your games without having to be glued to a TV. You can now literally take Shepard to bed.

Not surprisingly, we have no price point for this new controller and its accompanying system. The fact that the Nintendo conference focused more on the controller rather than the actual console is understandable; I just wish they were more clear about what the WiiU actually was so I wouldn’t have to read other confused people’s tweets.

Now if Nintendo can launch their new system with a new IP, I’ll be a very happy girl and hand over my money. For now, I will do my very best to just get hands-on experience with the WiiU. If that’s not possible, I’ll take one for hands-on experience at home. The 5 girls the WiiU will most likely be attached to will be sent to MightyMutt to fulfill a personal staff request.

What did you think of the conference? Are you going to buy the WiiU on day one, regardless of the price?

Stay tuned to SarcasticGamer for more E3 coverage throughout the days to come!