Newly uncovered Nintendo patents for the Wii U reveal some of the features the platform holder has considered for its new console.
The patent, dated September 2011, also details microphones that could be used for voice recognition in games, noting that "one or more additional microphones...may be provided on the front and/or back surfaces".
Face recognition, via the controller's already confirmed front-facing camera, is also listed as a possibility, with facial data being stored on the console for software use.
Web browsing is mentioned, along with the ability to connect to other devices with exchanges of "images and sound", which pretty much sounds like video chat.
Users can seemingly also expect the controller to support expansions as is the case with the Wii Remote. The patent shows an example of a gun attachment that could use the small screen as a potential targeting aid, similar to the zoom scope screen on Silent Scope arcade cabinets.
The patent does note, however, that "statements herein do not correspond to any particular actual product that may be eventually be made available to consumers," meaning none of these features may ever actually materialise.
3D screen, though - yes please.
Ninja Gaiden 3 developer, Team Ninja has said recently that the Wii U hardware is currently changing "constantly".
Comments
13 comments so far...
Kinslowdian on 17 Feb '12 said:
Perfectly set up for Sega's Seaman in 3D
fatherofthenoo on 17 Feb '12 said:
They really need to find a way to keep secret the details of patents of unannounced products.
timewarp1 on 17 Feb '12 said:
The next playstation should be called Playstation U. or PSU for short
ShadowAviation on 17 Feb '12 said:
Iwata's already said that the console won't be cheap. What's it going to be like if these specs turn out to be real? That said, it still sounds awesome. Though adapting it might push development time back further...
shogunreaper on 18 Feb '12 said:
Well there's a difference between not cheap and ridiculously overpriced, and with all this crap it looks to be the latter.
MD1500 on 18 Feb '12 said:
I can almost guarantee it won't be 3D.
Why?
Because then they would be competing with their own console.
Who would buy a 3DS if the Wii U can do the same thing?
Izo on 18 Feb '12 said:
The screen being HD has been known for a while it's 720p when it displays what the console sends it, 3D however is not going to happen it doesn't work well on a touch screen which you'll be using quite often unless by 3D they mean the console will be ready for 3DTVs but I doubt that as Iwata said they won't put any focus on 3D until they reach the same penetration rate as HDTVs have now obtained.
Welsh Jester on 18 Feb '12 said:
They shouldn't be putting so much effort into the controller, like they did with 3DS you can bet this console will be overpriced for the hardware it has in it..
So the actual console will probably be underpowered again while they focus on the controller.
Nintendo = greed, maybe they have learnt by now.. or maybe not.
Balladeer on 18 Feb '12 said:
I like 3D, although the point about price is a fair one. I'll want at least two of these for split-screen multiplayer (which is the BEST type of multiplayer), and I don't want each one costing me £30 or more!
theideal on 18 Feb '12 said:
I'd much rather have the HD than 3D. Wasn't there a poll recently that showed most 3DS owners (myself included) spend the majority of their 3DS play time with the 3D off?
I'm sure Nintendo will be weighing that stat against the cost of implementing it. Besides, I'm sure if they want 3D functionality they'll just add 3DS connectivity.
sbradley88 on 18 Feb '12 said:
Do basically we're gonna get a bog standard sd controller at launch, and with an opportunity to 'upgrade' to hd/3d for an extra £100 or so. And people will buy it.
KillerKing on 18 Feb '12 said:
there's an add on for the iphone at allows it to do glasses free 3d. i would imagine that's what it would be, simply because of the reasons they put forward for the bottom screen not being 3d on the 3ds.
yab1998 on 20 Feb '12 said:
I believe what Iwata said was that the WiiU console will support 3D but they won't push it until 3DTV's become bigger in the market...