Project Cafe becomes Wii U
What is it?
Project Cafe will be released next year and be called Wii U.
It's a console and a snazzy controller, although Nintendo ignored the console unit during its E3 conference.
The console is white and looks a lot like Wii. The controller is also white with a beefy, six-inch touch-screen. It doesn't output in HD, but high definition is available when connected to an HDTV. The system allows players to choose between playing on a TV or "roaming", and playing on the controller.
A zero latency link is promised between the console and the controller, and developers can choose to adopt a dual-screen configuration - a Zelda demo was shown with the main action running on-screen and inventory selections on the controller.
The controller has two shoulder buttons, two thumbsticks, a built-in camera, motion sensors and the usual array of face buttons. The console is scheduled to release between 1 April and 31 December 2012.
Additionally, the console uses internal Flash memory, which can be upgraded via SD Card or USB. The system runs optical discs and is backwards compatible with Wii software.
Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime announced the name during the Nintendo E3 press conference.
"In thinking about a new Nintendo system we knew that prevailing thought would be this: yes the game would probably still be right for all of us but can it also be a perfect fit just for you?" he asked.
"The answer to that question is an emphatic absolutely. in fact we're so convinced of it we put that pronoun in the name."
Fils-Aime's comments follow what Satoru Iwata said earlier in the conference.
"As an industry, what we haven't achieved yet is a game platform that is equally satisfying for all players. Yet, this is exactly what we intend to create with our new home platform," he said.
"How might that happen? I will suggest two words: deeper and wider."
Nintendo's goal is to "serve every player" - both casual and core. "I believe our new platform will be a major step towards reaching that goal," Iwata pledged.
"It will let everyone see games in a different way."
