E3 Day 2: Nintendo's Wii 2 Is A Wii U

At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, Calif. Nintendo previewed its next generation console, the Wii U.

The Wii U is a controller with a 6.2 inch screen that can operate games on its own with information included that isn't on the TV. If someone wants to watch TV, a video gamer can play their full gaming experience on the Wii U's screen.

The new console also includes an accelerometer and a gyroscope, a rumble feature, an inward-facing camera, a microphone and speakers. It has the classic control scheme two analog Circle Pads, +Control Pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons and ZL/ZR buttons, which allows it to operate as a controller for the big screen as well.

In this sense it has motion sensing game play for either gameplay on the Wii or the Wii U mini screen. There is also gaming overlay, the Wii U can show the gamer a closer up view of the action on the big screen. Basically it can operate on its own or it can operate with the Wii on the TV.

The Wii U also interacts between itself and the TV through the internet. Users can access a picture, a file, or something on the Wii U and by making a swiping direction at the TV it has the ability to be sent wirelessly. The Wii U also has a video calling function.

The theme of the Wii U is that it's a more personalized experience for the gamer. Nintendo said it would have wider appeal than the Wii but it would be deeper gameplay. With this strategy, Nintendo has taken aim at both casual and hardcore gamers.

It's a system we will all enjoy together, but also one that's tailor made for you, Reggie Fills-Aime, President of Nintendo of America, said at the press event. Is it unique, unifying, maybe even utopian? The answer is even yes to all of this.

Nintendo has had the leader in this generation of console sales with 86 million Wiis sold. However, over the past year the Wii's appeal has died down and Microsoft has actually managed to sell more Xbox 360's while Sony has also closed the gap with its PS3. Nintendo is hoping the Wii U reinvigorates the console.

Wii U redefines the structure of home entertainment by fundamentally changing how the TV, the game console and the Internet function and interact together, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata said at the event. The experience enabled by Wii U and the new controller takes players deeper into their games, while reaching out wider than ever before to be inviting to all kinds of gamers.

The Wii U isn't truly a standalone console; Iwata even pointed that out during the event. Users must have the Wii if they want the Wii U.

Please understand that it was not designed to be a portable gaming machine, even though it shares some characteristics. The images displayed on the new controller are generated only by Wii U, Itawa said.

Developers seem to be excited about the possibilities of Wii U. In a video presentation, several major game developers talked about their excitement for Wii U and announced their titles, including Darksiders 2, Batman: Arkham City, Assassin's Creed, Ghost Recon Online and Tekken, will all be available when Wii U launches. Nintendo also announced another title for the Wii U, Lego City Stories.

In addition to announcing Wii U, Nintendo also continued its push in 3D gaming. The company previewed several major franchise titles for its Nintendo 3DS portable gaming console including Mario Kart, Mario Brothers, Luigi's Mansion, Starfox and Kid Icarus.

We hear you: you want what you've also wanted, but you also want something new, Fils-Aime said regarding the introduction of classic franchises on 3DS.

Nintendo is hoping the introduction of classic franchises can give sales of its 3DS the push it needs. Thus far, the system has underwhelmed in sales, which slowed consistently after a fast start.

The company also announced its detailed plans to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Zelda. The company will come out with games for each console and an orchestra playing all of the Zelda music will be touring the world.

Follow Gabriel Perna on Twitter at @GabrielSPerna