• June 4, 2012

In advance of its unveiling at the E3 confab this week, Nintendo has released some details about Wii U, the company’s latest console game entry.

In an online video, Nintendo global president Satoru Iwata outlines some of the console’s features, in particular its tablet-like game pad. In the video, Satoru explains how the console uses two integrated screens that can allow for “asymmetric game play,” in which each players can have different goals, challenges and views within the shared gaming experience.

In addition, the GamePad will also double as a TV remote control and work to control the television even when the Wii U console is turned off.

The video also explains how the console intends to expand upon the social aspect of gaming that has been a part of Wii’s success (bringing families together in the living room to play games, for instance). One section of the video shows a gamer reaching out to other players for advice to beat a gaming level, while another showcases the “Miiverse” where players can use their game avatars to communicate with others who may have played similar games or shared similar interests.