Feature | Nintendo Wii U Buyer's Guide Part 1: The Console, GamePad and Accessories

Contents

• 1) What is the difference between Wii U and Wii?
• 2) What is the Wii U GamePad?
• 3) What accessories are available?
• 4) Can I just use my old Wii Remotes?
• 5) What about the Wii U games?
• 6) Can I surf the Internet or play online with Wii U?
• 7) Why not choose a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360?
• 8) Is the Wii U future-proof?
• 9) What are the tech specs?
• 10) Where can I buy Nintendo Wii U?

1) What is the difference between Nintendo Wii U and Wii?

First and foremost, the Wii U is a brand new video games console. The Wii U isn't an add-on to the Wii, but a separate machine that plays new high-definition games that only work on the Wii U.
 
The Wii U does play existing Wii games and accessories, however, including Wii Remotes, wheels, Balance Board and all disc-based games.
 
Think of the difference between the Apple iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 -- it's faster, more immersive, plays the latest games but can also run all your old favourites.
 
The Wii U comprises of the base unit that runs the games, provides the apps and does all the nifty calculations, and a new controller included with the console called the GamePad.
 

2) What is the Nintendo Wii U GamePad?

The Game Pad is a small tablet controller with a 6.2-inch touchscreen, built-in microphone, camera and speakers. Think of it as a hybrid between a small Apple iPad or tablet and a videogame controller. One of them comes included with every Wii U.
 
The GamePad has regular buttons and analogue sticks for traditional play, but also a touchscreen and motion sensors for different ways of playing. You can tap on touchscreen, swipe, draw, and rotate the GamePad like a wheel.
 
What makes the GamePad different is that it shows an image on the screen, but also on the TV at the same time. The TV can show the main game, for example a football match, whilst the smaller screen on the GamePad could show statistics about each player, allowing you to manage the team at the same time. In Cubed3's play-tests, it has proven to be perfect in terms of accuracy, responsiveness and durability.
 
For most Wii U games, the GamePad also lets players use it as a portable screen -- freeing up the TV and keeping the peace in busy households!
 
The GamePad is currently not compatible with older Wii games, so you will need Wii Remotes and Nunchucks (or even Classic Controllers!) to play these on the Wii U.
 

3) What accessories are available?

 
The Wii U is compatible with existing Wii Remotes and Nunchucks, and additional sets can be purchased for those without them.
 

A separate, optional controller is compatible with various Wii U games for multiplayer called the Wii U Pro. It boasts the same buttons as the GamePad, but without the touchscreen, speakers, and so on. The Wii U Pro is advised for more traditional games -- shooting, adventure games, and many others.

It's recommended to check if the Wii U Pro controller is compatible with specific titles. It is currently not compatible with old Wii games and a standard Classic Controller or Classic Controller PRO may need to be used for those.
 
There are also optional microphones, console and GamePad stands available, plus compatible wired headsets for online video and voice chat using the GamePad controller.
 

4) Can I just use my old Wii Remotes?

5) What about the Wii U games?

Click here to read Cubed3's guide to the Wii U launch games.

6) Can I surf the Internet or play online with Nintendo Wii U?

7) Why not choose a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360?

8) Is the Nintendo Wii U future-proof?

9) What are the tech specs?

10) Where can I buy Wii U?