Wii U facts for kids
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| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Type | Video game console |
| Generation | Eighth Generation |
| Release date | November 18, 2012 |
| Media | Wii U disc Wii disc |
| Controller input | Wii U GamePad |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Backward compatibility |
Wii |
| Predecessor | Wii |
| Successor | Nintendo Switch |
The Wii U (wee-_-yoo) is a video game console made by Nintendo. It was released on November 18, 2012. This console was the next version after the popular Wii.
Nintendo first showed the Wii U at a big event called the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) on June 7, 2011. It then went on sale in North America on November 18, 2012. It came out in Europe and Australia on November 30, 2012, and in Japan on December 8, 2012. The Wii U is part of the eighth generation of video game consoles.
Contents
What Makes the Wii U Special?
The Wii U was Nintendo's sixth home video game console. It was also their first console to use 1080p high-definition graphics. This meant games looked much clearer and sharper.
The Wii U came with a new kind of controller. This controller had a touchscreen built into it. Players could use this screen to keep playing a game even if the TV was off. This was a cool feature for when someone else wanted to use the TV.
Playing Games on Wii U
The Wii U could play games made for the original Wii. You could also use many Wii controllers and accessories with the Wii U. These included the Wii Remote, Wii MotionPlus, Wii Balance Board, and the Classic Controller.
Nintendo also made a controller called the Wii U Pro Controller. This controller looked more like controllers for other consoles, such as the Xbox 360. It was designed for players who liked a more traditional gaming feel.
You could not play Nintendo GameCube games or use their controllers directly on the Wii U. There was a special adapter for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, but it only worked for that one game. Just like on the Wii and Nintendo 3DS, players could create their own cartoon characters called Miis.
Some of the most popular games for the Wii U were Mario Kart 8, New Super Mario Bros. U, and Nintendo Land.
The Wii U GamePad
The main controller for the Wii U was called the Wii U GamePad. This controller had a screen that was about 6.2 inches (16 cm) wide.
Players could use the GamePad in different ways. You could play games on a television using the GamePad like a normal controller. Or, you could play games directly on the GamePad's screen without needing the TV to be on at all.
Related Consoles and Companies
Images for kids
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The Wii U GamePad prototype shown at E3 2011. It was called the "New Controller" then.
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The black Wii U console, which had 32 GB of storage inside.
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The Wii U Pro Controller, a more traditional controller compared to the GamePad.
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See also
In Spanish: Wii U para niños
