Nintendo’s Wii U Console Announced – 6.2″ Screen in Controller

Nintendo is continuing to uphold its status as an innovative console designer, today announcing some of the features we’ll see in its upcoming Wii U console. Of central interest: A 6.2″ screen built right into the controller, adding a visual interface to an accessory already bursting with features. Here’s the rundown, straight from the true rulers of the Mushroom Kingdom:

In addition to the 6.2-inch screen, the new controller also features an accelerometer and a gyroscope, a rumble feature, an inward-facing camera, a microphone and speakers. Adding these features to the Classic Controller^™ button scheme – two analog Circle Pads, +Control Pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons and ZL/ZR buttons – will enable a breadth of game-play experiences while appealing to both casual and dedicated video game players.

Considering what the Wii’s initially off-kilter controller did both for gaming and the console’s sales, it will be interesting to see just how Nintendo plans on making use of this feature. While having some kind of visual aspect to a console controller has been tried in less aggressive forms since at least the Dreamcast, a 6.2″ screen with color and good resolution should allow for far more creativity.