All About the New Nintendo Wii U GamePad Controller

Gaming with the Wii U GamePad Controller

The all-new Nintendo Wii U GamePad controller was released on 18 November 2012 with cool new features. The Wii U combines the features of touch and button controls with two analog sticks to provide a new gaming experience.

Dual Screen Gaming Experience

The 6.2-inch LCD touch screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9 serves as a second window into the gaming world. The screen on the GamePad can be used to access menus, maps, and more while gaming on your TV, and it can also be used to play games directly on the controller.

Nintendo Wii U GamePad Controller

A rechargeable lithium-ion battery powers the GamePad controller. The two analog sticks on both top ends of the GamePad provide an extra degree of control required in complex games. These analog sticks also act as buttons themselves.

Controls and Connectivity

The ZL/ZR buttons on the back of the GamePad are accessible by the index finger when holding the controller. These buttons are used as triggers in shooting games. Between the L and R buttons, there is an infrared transceiver that can be used to control the TV or communicate with other devices.

Nintendo Wii U console

A built-in camera and microphone can also be used to voice and video chat with friends. Other input buttons include a +Control Pad, L/R sticks, L/R stick buttons, A/B/X/Y buttons, Power button, HOME button, -/SELECT button, +/START button, and TV CONTROL button.

Back view of the Nintendo Wii U console

WaraWara Plaza and Specifications

The Wii U console has built-in open-source software. Every time you turn on the Wii U console, Mii characters from all over the world greet you and update you with the Wii U community’s popular games in WaraWara Plaza.

The Nintendo Wii U has a price tag of $299.99 for the Basic Set and $349.99 for the Deluxe Set.

Specifications Details
CPU IBM Power®-based multi-core processor
Size Approximately 1.8 inches high, 10.6 inches deep, and 6.75 inches long.
Display 6.2-inch LCD touch screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9
GPU AMD Radeon™-based High Definition GPU.
Weight Approximately 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg)
Storage Internal flash memory (8 GB with the Basic Set; 32 GB with the Deluxe Set) for data storage. Supports external USB storage.
Media Wii U and Wii optical discs.
Network Wireless (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) connection. Four USB 2.0 connectors (two in the front & two in the rear) support Wii LAN Adapters.
Video Output 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i.
Compatible cables: HDMI™, Wii Component Video, Wii S-Video Stereo AV, & Wii AV.
Audio Output 6-channel PCM linear output via HDMI connector or analog output via the AV Multi Out connector.
Wii Compatibility Nearly all Wii software and accessories can be used with the Wii U.
Software Open-source software. A broadband connection is required to use most built-in software applications.

Source: Nintendo

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