Basically, it's a self-contained game system.except it needs to be within wireless range of the Wii U to stream games to it for off-TV play.
The weird, innovative GamePad that comes with the Wii U has its own screen, speakers, full control pad, stylus, camera and microphone. Sarah Tew/CNET You can play away from the TV The GamePad works great for playing nearly all games off the TV. You also won't find many of the latest and greatest triple-A third-party titles like Call of Duty and Madden on the Wii U, either. But in graphics it lags behind the newer Microsoft and Sony consoles, and the Wii U is the only one of the three that can't play DVDs and Blu-rays. It's the only home console where you can currently play Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Star Fox and other Nintendo-specific franchises. It's slated to arrive in March 2017.Īnd then there's the Nintendo Wii U, which is coming up on its fifth birthday. Its Joy-Con controllers detach and become standalone wireless controllers. Nintendo's preview video shows people playing games on the TV, then popping the tablet out and playing on the sofa. The Switch connects to a TV like a traditional console and works as a tablet-style handheld with its own controls. The Nintendo Switch is a tablet, a home console and a portable multiplayer tabletop hybrid. Meanwhile, Nintendo has officially unveiled its next big game console. For a detailed comparison, check out CNET's analysis of how the PS4 Slim, PS4 Pro, Xbox One and Xbox One S stack up.