Nintendo Shows Off Controller, Social Functions of Wii U [PICS]

Nintendo gave sneak previews of its newest console in a pre-E3 presentation on its Facebook page Sunday afternoon.

In it, they showed off a fully completed Wii U controller that has a large tablet in the center. While the controller was made public at last year’s E3, Nintendo’s presentation demonstrated what seems to be a fully completed version. It will function as an extension for games through the touchscreen, but additionally will act as a tablet device that works as a companion for your television.

Some of the tablet’s features displayed during the video include the ability to use it as a full-featured universal remote. It can also function as a portal to Nintendo’s own social network, which will also be accesible online. There were video chat features demonstrated where players could call each other across Nintendo’s network.

In addition, Nintendo announced a full-featured Wii U Pro Controller, which looks similar to an Xbox 360 controller, for gamers who prefer that style of play.

There were no mention of new games for the Wii U during the 30-minute streaming presentation, which had about 87,000 concurrent viewers at its peak. It instead focused on the idea of “alone together” that Nintendo believes gamers face, and how the Wii U aims to bridge that gap. More information will probably be made available during Nintendo’s presentation on Tuesday morning at E3.

Check out some screenshots from the presentation below, and let us know what you think in the comments.