Wii U controller
Encyclopedia
The Wii U controller
prototype was first shown at E3 2011. The main feature of the controller is its built-in touchscreen, which either supplements or replicates the gameplay displayed at the television screen. The controller shares some characteristics of the Nintendo 3DS
, such as an accelerometer
, gyroscope
, camera, built-in microphone, and resistive touchscreen.
for Sega's Dreamcast). Much later in development, this was expanded to a full screen that could display the game being played in its entirety; a concept which was suggested but not financially viable earlier in the project.
later clarified that connecting multiple controllers was technically possible, but that it was not the company's primary concern due to the controller's price barrier. Shigeru Miyamoto
said players may be able to use their Nintendo 3DS as a controllers as well, stating "Our basic premise is that you can use one with a system...If we got to an idea of having multiple (controllers) it might be just more convenient for people to use their Nintendo 3DS and have a way to connect it...Nintendo are doing research about if someone brings their controller to their friend's house and they want to play together on Wii U whether or not something like that would be possible."
The Wii U will also support standard Wii Remote
s—up to 4 at once—as well as Wii Nunchuks, Wii Balance Board
and the Classic Controller
. The Wii U controller has two analog "Circle Pads"
and one D-pad
. In addition, the Wii U controller provides increased functionality over the standard Wii Remote—for instance, users can browse the Internet, draw sketches on the screen, play standalone games, view photos and participate in video chat with other Wii U users.
Game controller
A game controller is a device used with games or entertainment systems used to control a playable character or object, or otherwise provide input in a computer game. A controller is typically connected to a game console or computer by means of a wire, cord or nowadays, by means of wireless connection...
prototype was first shown at E3 2011. The main feature of the controller is its built-in touchscreen, which either supplements or replicates the gameplay displayed at the television screen. The controller shares some characteristics of the Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo 3DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or any additional accessories. The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software...
, such as an accelerometer
Accelerometer
An accelerometer is a device that measures proper acceleration, also called the four-acceleration. This is not necessarily the same as the coordinate acceleration , but is rather the type of acceleration associated with the phenomenon of weight experienced by a test mass that resides in the frame...
, gyroscope
Gyroscope
A gyroscope is a device for measuring or maintaining orientation, based on the principles of angular momentum. In essence, a mechanical gyroscope is a spinning wheel or disk whose axle is free to take any orientation...
, camera, built-in microphone, and resistive touchscreen.
History
Internally within the company, there was much debate over the idea for the new console, and the project was scrapped and restarted several times. The concept of a touchscreen embedded within the controller was originally inspired by the blue light on the Wii that illuminates to indicate new messages. Miyamoto and his team wanted to include a small screen to provide game feedback and status messages to players (in similar vein to the VMUVMU
The VMU, or Visual Memory Unit is a memory card peripheral for the Dreamcast. Its official name was changed by Sega for each of the three key regions:-* Japan = Visual Memory System * North America = Visual Memory Unit...
for Sega's Dreamcast). Much later in development, this was expanded to a full screen that could display the game being played in its entirety; a concept which was suggested but not financially viable earlier in the project.
Association with other controllers
At its E3 reveal, it was implied that only one Wii U controller could be used at a time on a console. Nintendo's President Satoru IwataSatoru Iwata
is the fourth president of Nintendo, succeeding the long-standing previous president of the company, Hiroshi Yamauchi in 2002. He was responsible in great part for defining Nintendo's strategy both before and during the release of its Nintendo GameCube video game console in 2001, a vision which...
later clarified that connecting multiple controllers was technically possible, but that it was not the company's primary concern due to the controller's price barrier. Shigeru Miyamoto
Shigeru Miyamoto
is a Japanese video game designer and producer. Miyamoto was born and raised in Kyoto Prefecture; the natural surroundings of Kyoto inspired much of Miyamoto's later work....
said players may be able to use their Nintendo 3DS as a controllers as well, stating "Our basic premise is that you can use one with a system...If we got to an idea of having multiple (controllers) it might be just more convenient for people to use their Nintendo 3DS and have a way to connect it...Nintendo are doing research about if someone brings their controller to their friend's house and they want to play together on Wii U whether or not something like that would be possible."
The Wii U will also support standard Wii Remote
Wii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
s—up to 4 at once—as well as Wii Nunchuks, Wii Balance Board
Wii Balance Board
The Wii Balance Board is a balance board accessory for the Nintendo Wii video game console. Along with Wii Fit, it was introduced on July 11, 2007 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo...
and the Classic Controller
Classic Controller
The is a video game controller produced by Nintendo. It is used to play games on the Nintendo Wii video game console.-Classic Controller:The Classic Controller is plugged into the Wii Remote in order to be used. It features two analog sticks, a D-pad, face buttons labeled "a", "b", "x" and "y",...
. The Wii U controller has two analog "Circle Pads"
Analog stick
An analog stick, sometimes called a control stick or thumbstick, is an input device for a controller that is used for two-dimensional input. An analog stick is a variation of a joystick, consisting of a protrusion from the controller; input is based on the position of this protrusion in relation...
and one D-pad
D-pad
A D-pad is a flat, usually thumb-operated directional control with one button on each point, found on nearly all modern video game console gamepads, game controllers, on the remote control units of some television and DVD players, and smart phones...
. In addition, the Wii U controller provides increased functionality over the standard Wii Remote—for instance, users can browse the Internet, draw sketches on the screen, play standalone games, view photos and participate in video chat with other Wii U users.
Technical specifications
- 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope
- Speakers
- Front-facing camera
- IR sensor strip
- Microphone
- 6.2 inch (15.7 cm) 854×480 16:916:916:9 is an aspect ratio with a width of 16 units and height of 9. Since 2009, it has become the most common aspect ratio for sold televisions and computer monitors and is also the international standard format of HDTV, Full HD, non-HD digital television and analog widescreen television ...
resistive touchscreen - Two Circle PadsAnalog stickAn analog stick, sometimes called a control stick or thumbstick, is an input device for a controller that is used for two-dimensional input. An analog stick is a variation of a joystick, consisting of a protrusion from the controller; input is based on the position of this protrusion in relation...
and one D-padD-padA D-pad is a flat, usually thumb-operated directional control with one button on each point, found on nearly all modern video game console gamepads, game controllers, on the remote control units of some television and DVD players, and smart phones... - StylusStylusA stylus is a writing utensil, or a small tool for some other form of marking or shaping, for example in pottery. The word is also used for a computer accessory . It usually refers to a narrow elongated staff, similar to a modern ballpoint pen. Many styli are heavily curved to be held more easily...
- Select, Start, Home, and Power buttons
- Headphone jack
- A/B/X/Y face buttons, L/R bumper buttons, and ZL/ZR trigger buttons
- Controller sync button
- Bluetooth
- Built-in rechargeable battery pack