E3 2011: Playing the Wii U
     Nintendo's new console is here, and we've played it.
             June 7, 2011     June 7, 2011     June 7, 2011
                                     by  
Richard George              
                   
                                      EVENT COVERAGE
             
E3 2011                     
     
                                                                                     It's the dawn of a new Nintendo generation. After five years  of  pursuing a "blue ocean strategy," the Big N is shifting to a new   console, one that rivals (and potentially exceeds) consoles currently in   stores. After months of having IGN's Nintendo team tracking down   sources and bringing you a comprehensive picture of Wii's successor,   I've finally had the chance to use the new controller and play demos on   the system. 
In short, Nintendo's gamble works. The controller is the best of both   worlds, mixing traditional button inputs with the advantage of having  an  interface unlike anything we've seen from a home console. 
THE CONTROLLER BASICS
 
What we've been reporting and suspected is true. The primary  controller  for Nintendo's next console is tablet based, featuring a 6.2  inch touch  screen. This new device also features a very standard array  of buttons,  including a d-pad, four face buttons, four shoulder  triggers, a power  button and a camera.  
One of the more interesting alterations to conventional design is the   system features two analog sliders at the top of the controller rather   than traditional sticks. Don't make the mistake of thinking these   sliders are like the 3DS "circle pad." The texture and top shape of the   sliders are much more akin to Wii's nunchuk, meaning the grip and   precision of movement are much better. 
		
		
	
	
The tablet itself appears large, but is actually quite comfortable to   grip. The two sliders both being located at the top of the tablet make   holding it considerably easier. A staggered configuration would only   have worked with a much smaller design. Nintendo was also smart in   making the new controller extremely light for its size, resulting in   something that might look strange but is not as burdensome as it would   seem.  
The other major design element is a horizontal "grip" that runs   underneath the tablet. The grip, however, is mostly there to house two   of the system's triggers, with the remaining two being on the shoulder   of the main body of the device. 
More important is the fact that the new console is backwards compatible  with Wii controllers.  Nintendo's demos suggested it is very intent on  utilizing its current  generation remotes - without alteration -  alongside the new tablet. In  fact while the number of Wii remotes  changed between mini-games, I only  ever used one tablet controller. 
http://wii.ign.com/articles/117/1173582p1.html