Wii U

The Wii U launched in November with over 30 games, but Nintendo's not about to rest on those titles. The company says the number of console games will double over the next several months, starting with the introduction of the Wii Fit U.

Available in early 2013, Wii Fit U will come with a Fit Meter, a pedometer-esque gadget that tracks physical activity throughout the day, away from the living room. When home again from an evening run, users can wirelessly upload their activity log, which will include information like calories burned, wirelessly to the Wii Fit U program. Look for 77 fitness activities on Wii Fit U with new dance segments or old Wii Fit classics like yoga.

Once you burned some energy with the Wii U, take a trip anywhere in the world on Google Maps Street View, downloadable from the Nintendo e-shop in 2013. Maps will work with both the Game Pad and TV display, so you can load the satellite map on the big screen and walk through a far-off city by moving the Game Pad in a 360° motion.

As Nintendo said in its demo, Google Maps on Wii U is like "scuba diving in your living room."

We went a little gaga over the Wii U after it debuted at the E3 conference last week, but new details are emerging about what the console is really capable of. Some of which will be music to gamers ears, and others . . . well, let's just say it may not make an upgrade worthwhile. Check out some of the new facts below.

• It won't play DVDs or Blu-Rays — Nintendo's president recently confirmed that there will be no DVD or Blu-ray playback for the Wii U, stating that "enough people already have devices that are capable of playing" those formats while listing cost as another roadblock.
• But it will be 1080p HD — Thankfully, the Wii U will be light years ahead of the old console, thanks to a better processing chip that will allow HD 1080p viewing.
• It will connect with social networks — No word yet on exactly how the Wii U will connect with sites like Twitter and Facebook, but Nintendo admits that there are no two ways about it — the Wii U will be a social experience.
• Only supports one Wii U controller — Though you can play the multitude of party games that are made for the Wii system with your friends, the Wii U can only support one Wii U controller at a time. Looks like you'll have to keep passing that touchscreen to the left-hand side. Share and share alike!

We got a look at the new touchscreen controller for Nintendo's new Wii U system, and I finally caught a glimpse of the actual console during the post-media-brief programming. It looks very sleek with the rounded edges and possibly smaller than the current Wii console. What do you guys think of the Wii U?

The next Wii console is officially called the Wii U and comes with the predicted 6.2-inch touchscreen controller that we reported earlier this week. Designed to get the entire family in on the gaming action, or just yourself, the Wii U can be used with your TV or by itself as a handheld controller. Not only that, the controller can also be used in conjunction with the games you're playing on your set, as a video chatting device, or as an extension of the web. You can even wirelessly move video from your controller to your TV set with a swipe of your finger. Coming in 2012, learn about some other features you can look forward to with the Wii U below, and see more photos here!

• The Wii U can automatically switch from the TV set to the controller without the need for switching inputs.
• It comes with two circle pads, control pads, gyroscope, two speakers, microphone, touchscreen, a camera, and trigger buttons.
• Games are wirelessly transmitted without lag.
• You can use the Wii U on the TV, on the controller, or both.
• Use the Wii U to share photos and videos, and browse the web.
• You can play the new Super Smash Bros. on the Wii U against a 3DS opponent.
• There will be a New Super Mario Bros. Mii that allows your Mii to play along with Mario.
• LEGO City Stories, an open world game, will come to the Wii U and 3DS.