Develop source: Wii 2 pad ‘adds camera system’

The controller for Nintendo’s new home console includes a front-facing camera system, a person close to the matter has told Develop.

The source also confirmed some, though not all, of the controller details that are already in circulation.

The new Nintendo console – widely dubbed the ‘Wii 2’ – will officially be unveiled at E3 in June, Nintendo said.

Its controller has for weeks been at the centre of intense speculation, and Develop understands Nintendo is not showing the tech to all development partners in a bid to curb leaks.

An insider said the Wii 2 pad features a front-facing camera that can be used for in-game images. The person also corroborated a number of well-referenced rumours, such as the controller features a six-inch touch-screen, “possibly with a stylus”, as well as a standard button layout.

Develop could not obtain details of the Wii 2’s hardware specifications.

News site IGN recently claimed Nintendo would team with AMD to manufacture a graphics processor featuring a custom version of the R700 architecture.

The CPU is alleged to be a custom-built, triple-core IBM PowerPC chip.

The system will be capable of supporting 1080p HD display as well as stereoscopic 3D, according to IGN’s sources.

Develop’s source elsewhere speculated – but was not claiming to know – that Nintendo’s 3DS handheld could act as a replacement controller.

“The functions are the same,” the source said. “It is a standard wireless controller added with a front-facing camera and touch screen. That sounds far too much like a 3DS to me. But I can’t confirm this, Nintendo is being very cautious about the details.”