At this year's E3, Nintendo has unveiled it's new console and the successor the the widely popular Wii system. The new console, the Wii U as it is currently being called, looks absolutely fantastic. While at the expo yesterday, I had a chance to step into the VIP section and demo it for myself.

When the Wii was released back in 2006, it's unique controller scheme was the source of much media attention. It was considered innovative, a technological breakthrough, and many felt that it more than made up for Nintendo's lack of flashy features, such as high definition graphics and basic DVD support. In fact, the motion sensor bar system is what many attribute to the console's overall success over Microsoft and Sony's competing systems. Since release, the Wii has shipped over eighty-six million units, whereas the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 have shipped approximately fifty-four and fifty million units respectively. In short, the creative design of the Wii has done well for itself. It's done so well that Microsoft and Sony have tried to emulate it's success by adding the Kinect and Move add-ons to their current generation systems.

The new Wii U has taken it a step further. Nintendo has taken it's Classic Controller layout, thrown in a 6.2 inch screen, and made a masterpiece. The Wii U's remote control vaguely resembles an iPad in some sense. The large table remote integrates wirelessly with console. It still contains motion control and a sensor bar, though to what degree these will be utilized is still unknown. Fortunately, this new system means that we might even see major cross-platform titles return to Nintendo, since the remote can act as a standard gaming controller.

As far as the new screen goes, it almost works like the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS, where the television screen can act as a primary monitor, while secondary information is displayed on the controller's screen. On the other hand, these options can be flipped so that the gameplay takes place in your hands while relevant data is just on the television. If you want to get really crazy, you can restrict gameplay to one screen only. The remote can function as a simple controller, the way that consoles have worked for years, or it can be your only screen. That's right, you can play games utilizing only the remote control's screen. Think of what that means about this new console.

The Wii U doesn't require a television to be utilized. That means that Mom and Dad can still watch television while the youngsters play video games at the same time. Nobody has to give up the living room. Nintendo may have effectively reduced family fighting with this thing. Moreover, it can most likely be used as an on-the-go device. This is purely speculation, but from what I understand, so long as there is a power outlet, you're in business. This means that the Wii U can be played in the car, on an airplane, in the halls at school, under the desk at boring meetings, or wherever you can simply hook up to a power socket.

At the demonstration, exhibitors made sure to point out that multiplayer functionality would be effected by the addition of the screen Wii controller. In multiplayer games, each player would have personal relevant information displayed on their controller. While the primary television could still act as a split-screen device, the individual gamers be able to play without being observed by their opponents. Not only are family feuds down, but so is screen cheating. Is there anything this console can't do?

Well that's actually a good question. We don't know much about what it can do, the new controller system aside. We've been assured that this system works in high definition. The exact resolution has not been revealed, but everyone keeps throwing around the phrase “Full HD.” That term technically means that the image is rendered out natively in 1080p, or Blu-Ray quality for comparison's sake. That being said, it looks like this machine one ups the Xbox 360 and PS3, which develop most games in 720p and upscale it later. Two of the “Wii U Experiences” at E3 were designed simply to show off the graphics. The first simply featured an eagle soaring from place to place in a Japanese garden setting. The image was very sharp and very rich. The details on the bird's feathers were amazing. It lands in snow at one point, which seems to fall off it's wings and feet just as real snow falls off a person. The second experience used the familiar “Legend of Zelda” series. The main protagonist, Link, walked through a dungeon and fought a giant spider creature (Gohma for long term Zelda fans). The detail was incredible. Granted, this was only a mini-movie and not actual gameplay, but Link moved so fluidly. He very realisticly dove from place to place. It seemed entirely believable to watch.

Nintendo has not released much information on the new system, besides what was readily available to watch and do yourself. We have no idea if it'll feature a DVD or Blu-Ray player. We don't know what sort of online functionality it will contain. No word has been given on whether there will be integrated 3D support. What we do know is that it looks awesome. It still supports Wii optical discs, which means that all Nintendo Wii games will still have full backwards compatibility, though GameCube games are in question still. The console has a release slated for sometime in 2012, but Nintendo officials refused to narrow it down any further than that. Nonetheless, this is very exciting to see!