Nintendo has launched its new Wii U games console in South Africa, making it available in time for the Christmas shopping rush.
The console itself features upgraded hardware but looks largely like the previous Wii models. The main upgrade is the HD touch-screen tablet controller – the GamePad.
The GamePad features a 6.2 inch touchscreen, which boasts a resolution of 854 x 480 in a 16:9 ratio, with a player-facing camera directly above it. Analogue sticks and square controls sit along both sides of the hand-held console, with digital finger triggers on the back of the console.
In addition to allowing users to play new games – Nintendo having ensured a 17-strong list of games was available on launch day – the GamePad also links to HD televisions and allows users to control the television set through the console. Given that the console screen displays the same image as the television screen, the console innovation allows a user to play on the console while concurrently watching a show on television.
Games available include virtual theme park Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros U, which sees the infamous brothers complete their on-screen escapades in HD, and third-party offerings such as FIFA 13 and Call of Duty: Black Ops II.
Players hoping to test the new console can do so in Cape Town (at Canal Walk), and Durban’s Gateway. Pretoria based fans will be able to try out the console from December 11 at Menlyn, and Johannesburg customers can trial the console at Cresta, Eastgate and Sandton from the same day.
The launch sees Nintendo release its new offering, following months of anticipation, in time for the Christmas shopping rush – the expectation being that many Christmas trees will find a Wii U beneath them this December 25.
