Nintendo Wii U

Bottom line

The Nintendo Wii U and its innovative motion sensitive, touch-screen GamePad controller is packed with potential. For now, however, it's a waiting game to see if that potential is fully realized.

Gaming performance

It's not your kid's Wii anymore. Though immensely popular with kids and families, the original Nintendo Wii caught lots of flak from serious gamers for its low-resolution graphics and low-octane gaming chops. That won't happen this time around as reviewers report that the Nintendo Wii U can throw up gaming graphics every bit as detailed as its competition from Microsoft and Sony, and do so in full 1080p resolution (finally). Some reviewers complain, however, that the Wii U does not outperform the existing and notably older consoles in that regard, though that goes hand-in-hand with comments that games at launch often don't take full advantage of the capabilities of the Wii U and the GamePad controller. Some also note some operational hiccups, such as slow load times and occasional glitches during game play. We also spotted some comments complaining that the user interface is unsophisticated, and very much like the one on the original Wii.

The GamePad is the Wii U's "big thing," and most -- but not all -- reviewers are generally impressed with its usefulness and utility. The most obvious feature is the 6.2-inch touch screen. One disappointment is that the screen is resistive rather than capacitive. What that means is that multi-touch gestures are pretty much out, and that you'll need a little more pressure that what's typically required with a tablet computer -- though not so much more that it's still not usable even by kids. Like Nintendo's portable gaming systems, a stylus is included.

The screen can duplicate what's shown on the TV, provide a different perspective on game play, or be used to provide additional information and menus, depending on the design of the game and the resourcefulness of the game developer. Some games can be transferred to the controller altogether and be played without the need for a connected TV.

The GamePad is motion sensitive like the original Wiimote, but is decidedly un-Wiimote-like in its array of typical game controller buttons, joysticks and the like. This could sound like a nightmare on paper to those used to Wii gaming rather than gaming on a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360, but most reviews say that it all is remarkably intuitive and easy to master, though there might be a learning curve with some games. One oft-cited negative is that the battery life is very short for the GamePad. Others say that the build quality looks a little on the cheap side.

The success of the Wii U will largely hinge on how well and how quickly developers produce games that take full advantage of the console's and GamePad's hardware. For now, the line-up of games at launch is exceptionally thin, but that's to be expected. You'll find some decidedly un-kid-like titles such as ZombiU and Mass Effect 3, along with amped up versions of traditional Nintendo fare, such as Super Mario Bros. U. The Wii U is also backwards compatible with Nintendo Wii titles and with all existing Wii peripherals and controllers.

Media performace

Coming attractions. One of the big complaints regarding the Wii U was how many of its online and media features were missing at launch. That's led lots of early reviewers to give the console lower grades, or ones such as "incomplete." Some of the gaps were filled almost immediately via a day-one firmware upgrade, but others, such as access to streaming media providers, were delayed; while apps for Amazon Instant and Hulu Plus were pre-installed, the only streaming provider accessible at launch was Netflix.

The big thing missing at launch, however, was Nintendo's TVii feature. TVii creates a programming guide based on user preferences. It pulls content from live TV and streaming services, and turns the GamePad controller into an advanced TV remote. There's also compatibility with TiVo DVRs, as well as integration with social networks so you can share and comment on what you are watching via Nintendo's Miiverse as well as Twitter and Facebook.

Aesthetics

Smaller, neater … cheaper. Though it is about the same size as the original Wii video game console, the Nintendo Wii U console is notably smaller than other current consoles. Connectivity is good, and includes both component and composite video, along with an HDMI port. There's also an SD card slot and four USB ports.

As noted above, some reviewers grouse that the shiny plastic Wii GamePad looks cheap, almost toy-like thanks to its shiny black plastic casing. The console itself is similarly housed, and likewise gives rise to some less-than complimentary comments. Reviewers also say that the both the GamePad and the console attract lots of fingerprints. A few build quality issues are also noted: For example, ArsTechnica.com finds that the face buttons on the controller are a little loose, leading to a rattling sound when the GamePad is shaken.

Value

Not there yet. With any video gaming system, the value is in the gaming. As a brand new system, that ecosystem is limited for now. The fact that the Wii U is backward compatible with the Wii helps, but only a little. That leads lots of experts to say that those that buy the Wii U right now are doing so more on promise than what's currently in hand. "I'm going to buy the system, don't get me wrong -- it's a neat step forward and nicely, surprisingly, never felt gimmicky -- but it just feels like I'm doing it as an investment right now, covering my bases for when the Great Wii U Game--maybe Pikmin 3?--comes out," says Popular Science's Colin Lecher.

The Wii U is available in two bundles. The Wii U Basic Set (*Est. $300) comes with the console with 8 GB of storage, GamePad controller, AC adapters for the console and GamePad and an HDMI cable. Note that the 8 GB greatly limits what you can download -- even some individual game titles are too large to be accommodated. However, storage is user expandable by adding a USB flash drive or USB external hard disc drive.

Many recommend bypassing the Basic Set for the Nintendo Wii U Deluxe Set (*Est. $350). The $50 premium nets you everything in the Basic Set, plus a bump in internal storage to 32 GB, a charging cradle for the GamePad, stands for the controller and the console, a Nintendo Land game and a limited-time10 percent discount on games and products from the soon to launch Nintendo eShop.

Finally, supplies of the Wii U were tight right after its late November 2012 release. We saw vendors charging well above retail for units.