On April 25, 2011, Nintendo released an official statement announcing a system to succeed the Wii to be released during 👄 2012, and that playable console units would be present at E3 2011.[41] Speaking at an investor's conference, Iwata stated the 👄 Wii successor would "offer something new for home game systems."[42] He also confirmed that the device would not launch in 👄 fiscal year 2012, meaning that it would release after April 2012.[43] In early June, Nikkei issued a report confirming earlier 👄 rumors that the new console would feature a controller with a 6-inch touchscreen that would give tablet-like controls to games, 👄 as well as a rechargeable battery and camera.[44] Project Café was officially unveiled as the Wii U during Nintendo's press 👄 conference at E3 2011 by Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé; he explained that the Wii U would be "a 👄 system we will all enjoy together, but also one that's tailor-made for you".[45] The rumored tablet controller was also shown 👄 at this time. No first-party games for the Wii U were announced during the presentation, but several major third-party studios 👄 announced games for Wii U in a pre-recorded video, the possibility of a new Super Smash Bros. game was teased, 👄 and Electronic Arts' then-CEO John Riccitiello appeared on-stage to discuss the company's prospective plans for products on the Wii U. 👄 Prototype hardware and a series of tech demos were available to attendees, showcasing gameplay concepts and the technological capabilities of 👄 the console—including a The Legend of Zelda-themed graphics demo, and New Super Mario Bros. Mii.[46][47][48]
In the two days following the 👄 unveiling of the Wii U, Nintendo's stock fell nearly 10% to levels not seen since 2006. Some analysts expressed skepticism 👄 in regards to the addition of a touch-screen, expressing concern that the controller would be less affordable and less innovative 👄 than the original Wii Remote.[49] When asked about whether or not the Wii U was going to support stereographic 3D 👄 via 3D televisions, Iwata stated that it was "not the area we are focusing on."[50] On January 26, 2012, Iwata 👄 announced that the Wii U would be launched by the end of the 2012 shopping season in all major regions 👄 and that its final specifications would be revealed at E3 2012.[51] He also stated that the console would feature a 👄 unified online system known as Nintendo Network, which would feature user account support as opposed to the use of friend 👄 codes. Nintendo Network would also provide the framework for online multiplayer interactions, add-on content, as well as online distribution of 👄 applications and video games.[52] Iwata mentioned that the Wii U GamePad would support NFC, which would allow the system to 👄 wirelessly interact with figurines and cards. It would also allow for microtransactions to take place wirelessly using credit cards with 👄 NFC support.[51]
A new Wii U Pro Controller was released alongside the Wii U. The Wii U Pro Controller is an 👄 updated version of the Wii's Classic Controller that is designed to appeal to "hardcore" players, with a more traditional gamepad 👄 design that resembles those used by the PlayStation and Xbox lines (and in particular, the Xbox 360's controller), and a 👄 claimed 80-hour battery life.[103][104][105][106][107] The Wii U Pro Controller is compatible with supported Wii U games, but is not supported 👄 by Wii games.[108]
The Wii U is compatible with existing Wii Remote and Wii Remote Plus controllers, along with their Nunchuk 👄 and Classic Controller attachments. A combination of up to four Wii Remotes or Pro Controllers can be used simultaneously, and 👄 the console can theoretically support up to two GamePads. Most software requires a Wii Sensor Bar in order to use 👄 Wii Remotes with the system, though some aspects, such as Off-TV Play and the Wii Mode, allow the Wii U 👄 GamePad to detect Wii Remotes.[109][110] The Wii U does not support GameCube controllers – while a USB adapter accessory allows 👄 GameCube controllers to be used on the console in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, it is not compatible with 👄 any other software.[111][112]
Following the system'sR$50 price cut and the release of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD on 👄 September 20, 2013, Wii U sales in North America saw a 200% rise over August.[205] From July to September 2013, 👄 the system sold approximately 300,000 units, which was up 87% from the three months prior. Despite only having sold 460,000 👄 consoles since April, Nintendo maintained its 9 million Wii U sales forecast for the fiscal year through March 2014. Wii 👄 U software showed improvement in the Q2 period, reaching 5.27 million units, a 400% jump on the previous quarter. Nintendo 👄 credited the software growth to key first-party releases like Pikmin 3 and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD.[206] 👄 During the third quarter of 2013, Nintendo reported that 300,000 consoles and 5.27 million software units were shipped worldwide.[172] In 👄 October 2013, online retailer Play announced that its Wii U sales saw a 75% sales increase. The company also predicted 👄 that the Wii U would be more popular than its competition, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, among children during 👄 the holiday season.[207] Following the release of Wii Party U on October 31 in Japan, weekly Wii U sales spiked 👄 to 38,802 units sold.[208] On November 29, 2013, Nintendo of France deputy general manager Philippe Lavoué announced that the Wii 👄 U had sold approximately 175,000 units in France since launch.[209] During the first two weeks of December, the Wii U 👄 was the top performing home console in Japan, with 123,665 units sold.[210] After one year in the market, the Wii 👄 U had sold approximately 150,000 units in the United Kingdom.[211] According to the NPD Group, Wii U sales in November 👄 increased by 340% over sales in October in North America, selling approximately 220,700 units sold in that month.[212] According to 👄 several publications, including NPD Group, December 2013 was the best-selling Wii U month in the US since its launch, selling 👄 around 481,000 units.[213] Independent estimates put the number of Wii U consoles sold by the end of 2013 between 4.5 👄 and 5.2 million.[214] During the fourth quarter of 2013, Nintendo reported that 1.95 million consoles and 9.96 million software units 👄 were shipped worldwide.[173]
