Wii U console "not drastically different"

Nintendo has revealed that the Wii U console won't be "drastically different" - that's why the E3 announcement focused on the tablet controller.

But Nintendo top-dog Satoru Iwata admitted he "should have made more effort to explain how [Wii U] works".

"We haven't made any kind of blunder," Iwata told the Evening Standard, referencing a fallen Nintendo stock price and defending against allegations of a confusion-causing presentation.

"But I should have shown a single picture of the new console, then started talking about the controller."

"The console is not drastically different," he added, "and Wii U is about the controller. The console itself will be almost invisible."

Exactly what will be inside the console hasn't been specified. We know it's theoretically capable of matching PS3 and 360 output thanks to a show reel aired at the Nintendo E3 conference (albeit of actual PS3 and 360 code rather than Wii U). How far beyond the ageing PS3 and 360 tech Wii U can go, however, remains to be seen.

Iwata went on to echo what he said to Reuters, and told the Evening Standard that people can't properly appreciate Wii U until they play it.

"They cannot see how this can be a game changer," he said of people reading about but not experiencing Wii U.

"What Wii U will offer is very different," Iwata added. "But I believe we have the strong potential to change the entire format of video games and of entertainment."

Eurogamer has played Wii U, and we tallied with Iwata's argument by declaring that "as soon as you pick that controller up, you understand the genius of Nintendo's idea."

But how will Nintendo demo Wii U to every potential customer? That's what analysts are worried about. Wii, a runaway success, had one universally clear message: motion sensing.

Wii U details are gradually seeping out, however - and Eurogamer cobbled together a list of seven things you don't already know about Nintendo's new console (unless you've read the article already you cheat).