Nintendo Wii U on sale Nov. 18; what you need to know

What's the GamePad

The GamePad is a wireless game controller for the Wii U that is reminiscent of Sony's original PlayStation Portable. The controller features a 6.2-inch touchscreen, dual analog control sticks, and the usual gaming buttons (directional pad on the left; A, B, X, Y buttons on the right).

Depending on the game, the GamePad screen can serve as a secondary display for game stats and other info or an alternative game display. The GamePad also includes a built-in camera and, similar to the Nintendo DS, a stylus. The GamePad is not a stand-alone device; it needs to be within 24 feet of the base station to work.

The GamePad can also double as a TV controller, but the aforementioned TVii enhancement won't launch until December. TVii is a social television offering for the GamePad that lets you view a TV programming guide and interact with friends on Miiverse (an upcoming social network for Nintendo gamers), FacebookFacebook, and TwitterTwitter. Alles zu Facebook auf CIO.de Alles zu Twitter auf CIO.de

Only one GamePad comes with each unit, and the controllers are apparently too expensive at this time to sell separately. (Nintendo reps say that no games available at launch can use two GamePads; when a Wii U game comes out that could take advantage of two GamePads, Nintendo will offer additional GamePads for sale.)