Pre E3 2012 Nintendo Direct: Miiverse, Wii U Gamepad Final Design, Wii U Pro Controller, and More!

Mr. Iwata talked it up for a half hour, telling the world all about the Wii U (with a focus on the social elements!). Lots and lots of fantastic stuff. In case you don’t want to sit and watch the corniness, here is a recap of what went down from GoNintendo (because I really don’t feel like repeating them) and if you just want to watch the biggest news showcased in a cheesy skit, you can view the online action promo here.

• E3 presentation on Tuesday to focus on Wii U games.
• Nintendo began discussing what they should do with Wii U back in 2008
• Nintendo wants to unite people with Wii U rather than separate them
• controller is called the Wii U GamePad

• control sticks can be pushed down, button layout has been changed to maximize comfort – mystery square is the NFC reader/writer

• controller can act as a TV remote

• controller features motion and gyro sensors
• Wii U supports Wiimote, Nunchuk, Balance Board
• Wii U Pro Controller described by Iwata as a “more attractive for longer and more intensive forms of gaming”

• Wii U seen in black
• Wii U to have video chat

• Wii U menu system called Mii Wara Wara, a plaza full of Miis saying all sorts of things

• view your Mii, Miis on your system, your friend’s Miis and Miis in the same country having similar experiences
• The Miiverse lets you see what friends are doing, even if you don’t have the same games as them
• bring up the Miiverse during gameplay as well

 

• communication between Miis can happen via text messages, but can also be viewed/used via the Wii U GamePad

• hand-write notes or make doodles on the GamePad for the Miiverse

• Miiverse allows you to add facial expressions for your Mii

• post screenshots from gameplay, or content that you’ve created yourself
• Miiverse can be accessed by all games via home button
• Miiverse can be used with games that don’t feature online interactions
• these interactions are browser-based. After launch, you can access Miiverse on your PC, 3DS or any web-enabled mobile device
• Miiverse keeps future Nintendo devices in mind, whatever they may be- Wii U internet browser lets you share what’s on the Game Pad via your TV

• close a virtual curtain over a TV screen to keep what you’re browsing on the Game Pad a secret, reveal when you want to
• plenty of 3DS news coming during ‘other upcoming opportunities’

Pre-E3 Nintendo Direct Sunday at 3:00 PT! Focus on Wii U Concept!

And so it begins. Iwata, Reggie, and Miyamoto have arrived in LA for E3. But that’s not the big news here. The big news here is that Nintendo is holding another one of their direct-to-fan presentations tomorrow to talk Wii U before the big bang of their Tuesday conference and the ska-doosh of their Wednesday software showcase. They say it’s to talk the concept behind the Wii U and such. There is bound to be plenty of fun so be sure to tune in here at 3 pm PT.

Expect this to be the beginning of a spectacular array of E3 posts here as well as me trying my hand at live tweeting throughout E3 from my couch.

Is your body ready?