Wii U

Wii U, also known as Project Cafe, Wii 2 and Nintendo Stream, is the successor to the Wii. Nintendo confirmed it to be revealed at E3 2011, with playable units. The console was released on November 18, 2012, selling over 3.06 million copies. ''At launch, Nintendo revealed that the Wii U would be available in two colors, black and white. The white version is called Basic Set in North America and Basic Pack in Europe and Australia, and the black version is called Deluxe Set in North America and Premium Pack in Europe and Australia. The Nintendo official E3 webpage shows both colors with the white one in the Basic set and the black one in the Deluxe set.

Hardware
The controller is said to be GameCube-like, with a six-inch touchscreen. The system is said to look like a modern-like SNES mixed with an Xbox 360. It also is speculated to have HD graphics. You can stream games and movies from the system to the controller.

Wii U GamePad
The Wii U GamePad is the main controller for the Wii U. It features a built-in touchscreen, which can either supplement or replicate the gameplay shown on the main display. When using the "Off TV Play" function, the controller can function as a standalone screen without the use of a television screen. The controller features an accelerometer, gyroscope, camera, dual analog sticks, a built-in sensor strip, a built-in microphone, and supports near field communication (which can be used for, among other uses, figurines that can interact with the console and wireless credit card payments with compatible cards). The console will also be compatible with the Wii Remote Plus, Nunchuk and Wii Balance Board, as well as a Wii U Pro Controller for more traditional controls.

Nintendo eShop
The Wii U's eShop will be Nintendo's digital distribution store. Available at launch, the eShop will provide the means to download digital Wii U titles, retail Wii U titles, WiiWare titles, Virtual Console titles, and applications. The Wii U's eShop will also allow users to obtain patches, add-ons, and expansions for both retail and digital games. Moreover, all content obtained from the Wii U's eShop are attached to a user account, and they cannot be moved to other Wii U systems. Therefore if the console has issues in which require a replacement, purchased funds and licenses cannot be transferred to the new console.

Spotpass
The Wii U also contains an integrated social network system called Miiverse. Miiverse is directly integrated into the Wii U's system menu and can also be integrated into games and it can be accessed at any time. It allows users to chat with one another through text. Miiverse allows users to share their achievements in supported games. Nintendo has stated that Miiverse uses standard internet technologies, and so it can easily be accessed through personal computer, mobile devices, tablets, and the Nintendo 3DS; however, accessibility to the Miiverse by devices other than the Wii U will be supported after the launch of the Wii U. Nintendo has stated that Miiverse will be moderated through software filtering as well as through human resources team hired by Nintendo, as such comments posted can take up to 30 minutes to be posted.

Internet Browser
The Wii U also contains a web browser which allows users to browse the web on the Wii U GamePad or a television screen. The web browser contains presentation effects such as the opening of stage curtains which can be used when the user wishes to share a web page from the Wii U GamePad onto the television screen. The web browser also supports HTML5, YouTube, and various other social media.

SpotPass
Similar to Nintendo 3DS's more distinctly mobile SpotPass functionality, the SpotPass feature is an online utility which is built into the Wii U system. It allows the Wii U to automatically download available content via WiFi in the background even when the Wii U is already running an application. Content that can be downloaded via SpotPass includes firmware updates, patches, and specific in-game content. Content currently being downloaded can be viewed in the Download Manager, accessed via the Wii U's HOME Menu.

Media Capabilities
Nintendo is working with Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, and YouTube to bring streaming digital movie and television content to the Wii U. Nintendo has demonstrated that simple gestures can be used on the Wii U GamePad to transfer video content from the GamePad to the television screen. Users will also have the ability to switch from the television screen to the Wii U GamePad when watching videos.