Wii U Gamepad/Pro Controller Revealed At Nintendo Direct

Nintendo held its pre-E3 show yesterday, titled Nintendo Direct, and revealed the all newly updated Wii U Gamepad which you can see above. The new Wii U Gamepad looks considerably different and will include comfortable analog sticks on both sides of the controller.

The D-pad has been aligned just to the right of the analog stick and the four face buttons are aligned underneath and to the left of the right analog stick. It can also be used as a TV remote even while the Wii U is turned off.

With this announcement comes the Wii U Pro Controller which seems to be built for the hardcore gamers out there looking to escape the casual Gamepad.

Check out the image for that below. What controller does it seem to look eerily familiar too?

Source: Joystiq

Check out the press release below.

Wii U Console Details Revealed in Nintendo Direct Video

Nintendo released a global Nintendo Direct video revealing new information about the upcoming Wii U game console, including details about the system’s touch-screen controller, the Wii U GamePad. In the video, which can be viewed online at http://www.youtube.com/nintendo, Nintendo Global President Satoru Iwata illustrates how Wii U will revolutionize how people connect with games, each other and entertainment through the system’s unique and integrated second-screen controller. The Nintendo Direct video included information about:

New ways to play: With the television and the Wii U GamePad working as two integrated screens, Wii U creates unique possibilities for gaming, allowing “asymmetric” game play where each player can have different goals, challenges and views within the same shared gaming experience.

Miiverse: Miiverse is a brand-new network communication system that lets gamers from around the world share experiences, discuss games and discover new content. Using their personalized Mii character, players enter Miiverse and see games, applications or entertainment content that either they have interacted with recently, expressed interest in learning more about or that their friends are using or discussing. From here they can challenge their friends to play together, ask a question about a difficult level or discover new elements of their favorite games they never knew existed. After a notable achievement or other share-worthy moment, players can pause their game or application and seamlessly post messages to the Miiverse community.

Wii U GamePad controls: In addition to the previously announced touch-screen and motion controls, the Wii U GamePad was redesigned and improved from its reveal in 2011. The new form factor offers players dual analog stick controls and can be used as a remote control for users’ TVs, even while the Wii U console is turned off. Nintendo also announced availability of the Wii U Pro Controller as a separate peripheral.

Wii compatibility: All game discs for the Wii system are compatible with Wii U, and the system will support controllers for the Wii system.

Additional information about Wii U will be revealed at the Nintendo All-Access Presentation @ E3 2012, beginning at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, June 5. To follow all of Nintendo’s news and announcements from the E3 Expo, visit http://e3.nintendo.com, and watch for updates on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

For more information about Nintendo, visit www.nintendo.com