The Wii U's online functions include video chat, its own social network and the ability to search for TV shows and movies from services such as Netflix and Hulu. These are all free. I wasn't able to test those features before writing this review. Nintendo said Friday that many of these features won't be available until next month.
I don't expect the Wii U to make as big a splash as the original Wii did six years ago. Nintendo's competitors are dipping their toes into the dual-screen pool as well: Some Sony games link the PS3 with the handheld Vita, while Microsoft's SmartGlass app for tablet computers adds bonus material to Xbox games such as "Halo 4" and "Forza Horizon."
Still, the Wii U goes all in on the multiscreen concept for a relatively inexpensive price. And in a world where people tweet on their iPads while watching sports or reality shows on their TVs, the whole GamePad concept feels perfectly natural.
The Wii U's success will depend on what Nintendo and other developers do with that second screen. The early results are very promising.
___
About the Wii U:
The basic Wii U model, with 8 gigabytes of internal storage, costs $300. The deluxe set, with 32 GB, "Nintendo Land" and a charging stand for the controller, costs $350. It comes to the U.S. on Sunday, later this month in Europe and Dec. 8 in Japan.
Both versions come with the GamePad, but you'll need to snag old-school Wii controllers from older Wiis or buy them separately.
___
Follow Lou Kesten at http://twitter.com/lkesten
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Reader Comments (