Wii U tablet to offer app store, report claims

Nintendo is planning an app ecosystem for the Wii U and its tablet controller, according to an unverified report.

iPad-focused news outlet The Daily claims Nintendo’s next console will implement “a full-blown app store”.

Citing an anonymous source, said to be familiar with the matter, Nintendo will provide apps that operate on the Wii U itself as well as run independently on the Wii U’s tablet controller.

Lifestyle apps will merge with games in a manner similar to iOS and Android, the report suggested.

Detailed plans for the Wii U app store were unavailable in The Daily’s report. It is not known if Nintendo will open the platform to all third party developers, if it exists at all.

Last year, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime claimed that the company has no intention of working with garage developers.

Fils-Aime’s claim was criticised by many independent game developers. Weeks prior, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata criticised smartphone app networks for allegedly prioritising quantity over quality.

The Wii U, which boasts a unique tablet controller with a 6.2-inch screen, is due for release this year.