June 4th, 2012

The first look at the Miiverse

99 Comments

Miiverse is the first thing gamers will see when they boot up the Wii U but it’s not just an interface. According to Satoru Iwata, it’s a “social window” that “links player to player, living room to living room”. This is a concept that’s deeply integrated with the entire Wii U experience in multiple ways.

Firstly, via the above interface, you will be able to see the games people are playing from around the world. This includes games you do not own, exposing you to what’s popular at the moment. (You can see how Miis are clumped around various icons for games.)

There’s a messaging system with Swapnote-like functionality. You can type messages, but also draw on the screen. Alongside the messages you’re also able to change the expression of your Mii to better convey your mood. This system will be accessible via the PC and any internet-enabled mobile device at some point in the future, but that particular functionality won’t be available at launch.

The last big feature is that all games can integrate with Miiverse. This allows even single player experiences to be given a sense of connection by, for instance, making it possible to see messages from other people around the world while playing a game. This was shown in the context of New Super Mario Bros. Mii, with players leaving behind notes at the end of a level.

  • Playstation-crunchers921

    The wii u looks waay better than last year especially about the new wii u pro controller!!!

    • adam

      Ya man I was excited for what they showed off last year, but it looks like crap after the Nintendo direct.

    • adam

      Because it’s so much better.

    • Cragnar

      I screamed like a baby filled with joy! I actually cried i was so happy!

    • Black Knight

      I SHIT MY PANTS SO HARD IM GONNA NEED A NEW ASS…(and pants)

  • miiworld2

    When I saw the gaming icon, I was thinking… a first look at the games coming at launch.
    Yoshi? A Boo?! I smell Yoshi Story and Luigi’s Mansion WiiU…

    • RicardoSForever

      Not sure, since they’re was a Mario Kart 7 icon, exactly like the one in the 3DS’ menu on the cartidge app.

    • Viridi, Goddess of Nature

      There was a lot of “party” mentioned in the boo icon so I guess it Mario Party?

    • Alex Atkin UK

      I wouldn’t read too much into icons.

      If I wanted to mock up a demonstration like this without spoilers I too would use icons from recently released games as placeholders. It doesn’t necessarily mean any of these games will come, at least not any time soon.

    • Andyyys93

      but maybe u can use it with your 3ds games do like your wii u knows what 3ds games u have and u can use the feature on the wii u.. They said they were gonna bring I to the wii u.. Dude I’m exited about it! It’s cool that u can use it on phone browsers so I can text chat with ppl using my phone rather than having to press the wii u menu every time to text chat.. That’s why I don’t like the ps3 text chat cause I have to press the PS button everything .. This is gonna be awesome can’t wait till tuesday

    • Cragnar
    • Mariobro

      Smart theroy….

    • GThing64

      Since they mentioned 5 players, I think the Boo is Chase Mii.

  • DarkRoseKid

    This is a cool idea cant wait for e3 to get more details on this

  • my name is of no importance

    i am just loving eveyrthing :D

  • suportedcofe

    Miiverse seems totaly awesome

    • miiworld2

      I know right? I couldn’t stop smiling when I saw the screen.

  • http://www.moonkitty.net Brad

    Anyone else notice the “Under 100 seconds” golden message in that final pic? Looks like accomplishments!

    • Turby

      Accomplishments?! Thats the one thing I REALLY want from Nintendo.

  • facetouch

    Exactly what did Iwata say about people revealing spoilers using this Miiverse? I know he said something but didn’t quite get it. That’s the #1 concern of mine is trolls revealing spoilers in every game they can…

    • XZAceNintendo

      He says it will be more regulated to prevent spoilers. Or at least, that´s what I thought he said.

    • George Tirebiter

      I guess somehow the messages you recieve will only go as far as you have in a given game. Don’t even know how they’ll make that work, but that appears to be the plan.

  • KING Z Is Ready For The Wii U

    My Body Is Ready!

  • ohhh

    Wait being a flying squeirul in a Mario game?

    • Dark Michael Pachter

      I was goin to say that

  • Ice Climbers

    I wonder if the games that you can see that people are playing include 3DS games as well as Wii U games. Nintendo now has UNLIMITED advertising with Miiverse. This whole system is connected with the Wii U, the Wii U GamePad, the 3DS, PC, and any internet-enabled mobile device such as smartphones. Nintendo has just dominated E3 before it has even began.

    • Pete41608

      “Nintendo has just dominated E3 before it has even began.” EXACTLY what I told my Sony Fanboy Friend. except I added “NINTENDO…IS…BACK!!”

  • Danny

    In the last picture, you can see one Mii talking about a “flying squirrel”, that probably means, that the Tanooki suit is going to be in New Super Mario Bros. Mii!

    • Co-Wink-Key-Dink inc

      The tanooki suit was based of a Japanese legend of RACONS flying from a magical leaf.
      Or it still could be the tannoki suit

    • Csaw

      Or it could be talking about the 3ds game since the miiverse is technically going to that to.

    • Turby

      Nope, not Tanooki. Its the Raccoon (is that what its called?) Suit. There are pictures of it on the 3DS blog. The difference is that the raccoon suit is a tail and ears, not the full costume.

  • Jeremy

    Looks like that zombie game blockbuster leaked is real xP

    • http://youtube.com/user/LozerBrigade JEREMY

      ha awesome.. it it real!

  • donzaloog

    I like this idea. I liked the little clip we saw of that Super Mario Bros. game.

  • http://wiiublog.com Jared

    THis idea would be awesome for a metroid game made by retro knowing that u have to find those damn artifacts.lol.

    • zeta

      yep i hate having to switch to my laptop to look up these things, here you can just put the game in standby, pull up Miiverse and do your research, this is also possible simply by going on the net on your console but Miiverse just seems so much more convenient.

  • Classic Hyper Sonic The Hedgehog A.K.A Rc/AGES

    That’s it. I’m saving up.

    • Mariobro

      Hell yea! I even made a list!

  • Classic Hyper Sonic The Hedgehog A.K.A Rc/AGES

    The chat seems to work more like Pictochat then Swapnote to be honest.

  • Miks

    Really, this just shows that Nintendo is innovational in every single aspect, even online. Be afraid, Sony and Microsoft, be VERY afraid!

  • Big E

    From what I got out of the video, this will be at launch on the Wii U and at a later time for the 3DS system.

    • zeta

      and also for PC and any mobile device with proper internet.

    • Big E

      Proper eh? Honestly, I’m surprised it’s coming to PC and mobile devices (mainly phones).

  • Jim

    Look at the phone… “Eldin Volcano”.
    Zelda Wii U? :O

    • wii u get a wii u?

      I think your onto something!

  • Gery

    Hmmm… so, you’re looking at a game icon of a game you don’t have and it interests you so, you click on the icon which leads you to info on the game, up to and including a link to d/l a playable demo right then and there…

    … that’d be a handy option.

  • wii u get a wii u?

    Does anyone else agree with me here?

    DK Barrel= Donkey Kong Country
    Mario Kart= Mario Kart U
    Star= Mario Party 10
    Boo= Boo Chase(from what i read in the video)
    Green posing person= Wii Fit U
    Mario=Mario bros 4
    Gun= Zombie game
    Yoshi= Yoshi’s Island U
    Hylilian Shield= Zelda U
    Samus= Metroid Prime 4

    What are you guys’ thoughts?

    • Yoshiv

      Seems like a mix between 3DS and Wii U games.

      That Mario Kart icon it’s obviously Mario Kart 7′s for the 3DS.
      The Boo could be Luigi’s Mansion 2 for 3DS.
      The Mario icon must be New Super Mario Bros. 2 for 3DS.
      Hylian Shield is from Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D.

      The others I don’t know.

    • Mariokart8

      @yoshiv I see where that would make since,
      but if u look at the Mario Kart Logo, and compare it to the 3ds one, its a tad bit different. And the Ocarina of time one has a new orangey backround. If u read the comments in miiverse, you can read someone say- “I love playing Boo Chase! This game is up to 5 players, and is fun for the whole family!”

      But who knows, gues we’ll find out at E3:)

  • adrian12369

    can’t wait for it to come to the 3ds!

  • Bewoulf2000

    I love the Boo icon. Its amazing that they care about boo so much, almost as much as I do.

  • http://www.youtube.com/MegamanNG Jose

    I like it. I really do like it!

  • zeta

    The facebook of gaming has arrived.

    • zeta

      also, doesn’t anyone else think this would almost invalidate the subscription for XBL, if they provide something like this for free (even if with ads) then paying for XBL would seem stupid IMO

    • Neoxon

      Just as long as input lag is minimized as much as possible. Input delay can be a big deal, especially for fighting games online.

  • 009soulmaster

    I know this is incrediably unlikely, but…
    I hope you can play with the other Miis in like Tag or Hide n Seek XD in the Miiverse.

    • BR!4N

      You just blew my mind.

    • Oblivion comet

      That would be playing where’s Waldo but on steroids.

  • Neoxon

    Unfortunately, I forsee penises in Miiverse’s future.

    Hopefully Nintendo plans ahead to prevent this & other……questionable…….messages.

    • http://www.finitytek.com/services/web-design.php Website Design Lake Worth

      The graphic looks much better!!

  • Mariokart8

    It seems to mii that xbox live is gonna look like expensive trash….. I wonder what microsoft thinks about this…. Suggestions?

    • Neoxon

      If the Miiverse delivers come launch (& it’s looking like it will), Microsoft will most likely step up their game so their subscribers on Xbox Live don’t feel like they’re being ripped off.

      Competition is a good thing, it helps everyone improve.

    • Mariokart8

      Agreed all the way @neoxon

  • Headmaster Gaepora

    I, for one, think the Boo, Yoshi, Mario, DK and Star games are built in extra games like Find Mii, similar to AR games and Face Raiders on 3DS.

  • Cragnar

    A note from Nintendo:
    Wii are ready, are U?

  • Spazzy Cactus

    The main thing I noticed while watching live was something that looked like a wii channels-icon-thing in the corner… any idea what that is guys?

    • aguy

      SAME!! i think that is the home menu actually..

    • Neoxon

      It is. Normally, the menu stuff would be on the tablet. If you want it on the TV, that’s where that button on the screen comes in.

  • BR!4N

    Again, Nintendo, you make me think life without your new system is not worth living.
    And it isn’t.

    • BR!4N

      As in, it isn’t worth living.

  • Andrei

    uMiiverse would have sounded better.

    • EctoBiologist [EB]

      [EB]thats because its on multiple systems!

  • minh

    Finally!!!! Thank you Nintendo for adding the long and overdue integrated internet into the Wii U. Now let’s pray that the nintendo connection service is stable, dynamic, reliable, and blazing fast.

  • Michael Pachter

    Hate to say it, but Nintendo impressed me today.

    • http://passid.ca/potter dsiderreck6

      Lol at setting your name as Michael Pachter… nice joke.

  • http://passid.ca/potter dsiderreck6

    They need to put the typing on the 3DS swapnote. I hate getting notes and I pretty much have to decipher what they are saying in 5 minutes. lol. Knowing Nintendo and what they did with the 3DS I bet that they will put a character limit on the typing thing in Miiverse. I hope not, but we all know what could happen. Other than that MiiVERSE LOOKS FREAKING INSANELY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Link

      The limit is 5000 characters.

    • http://passid.ca/potter dsiderreck6

      Oh, wow thanks for pointing that out I didnt even see the limit when I was looking at the pics…

  • real gamers choose nintendo

    nintendo does it right yet again and via the miis just like i said they would for years and makes xbox live look old to computer like cluttered and out of touch AGAIN JUST LIKE I SAID….

    the dual screen and touch screen will enhance this even further

  • Turby

    I think this is a cool feature too, but remember there will be tons of trolls drawing inappropriate stuff and spoiling games for others. I have high hopes for Miiverse, though.

  • Slojoz

    no one noticed the “back. hes baaaack” thing with the samus face? whos back? metroid prime? jmsdmnfjksdnf?!?!?!

    • Mahtis

      It can’t be Samus, being back, ‘cus Samus is a she ;) But I do still look forward to the new Metroid game!!!!!!

    • Captain N

      Kraid

  • Teddy

    Probably ridley or something, since he always dies.

  • http://mee.com me

    The only thing I have against it is that a ton of five year-olds will be trying to chat online. That just really bothers me that they could video call some adult in New Jersey that finds out where he lives. Just sayin’

    • Mariokart8

      I had the same thought, I’m 99.9% sure we’ll get some parental controls:)

    • http://www.finitytek.com AndWatFool

      ….This is why nintendo doesn’t give us nothing good.
      I say let the people who buy these devices for their children protect their child.
      Im tired of limited and old technology!! Let Big N step up to the plate for real this time.
      If there is a child problem then patch it.

      Thats how I want 2 feel…. But i am concerned for these young folks… we live in a moral free world…

    • Mariokart8

      But it comes down to this- Who is gonna let a young 5-7 year old kid use an expensive tablet in the first place? I’m 12, and even i reccomend that i’ll get a case for the gamepad, so i can put it in the case when im done using it. I really dont see the need for a young kid to play the Wii U. Supervised, yes. if theyre below 10, i think an adult should watch them play:) Other than that, i can’t wait to see the bright future of the Wii U!

  • http://youtube.com/the8guys Dylan

    the iPhone apps gonna make this better this is gonna be sick! cant wait for the Wii U and now more will be announced at E3 today :D

  • mason

    ANIMAL CROSSING WHERE ARE YOU!!!!1

  • NOONE

    pretty sweet cant wait for it on 3DS!!! :D

  • Mario1993

    They need to create something to connect the 3DS to the Wii U like they did with the Gameboy player and the GameCube but wirelessly.

  • RyuHoshi101

    I looked closely at the messages on the iPhone. It mentioned bokoblins and eldin volcano. ZELDA WII U!

  • http://www.finitytek.com/services/web-design.php Website Design Lake Worth

    Yep, Wii is looking better and better!!

  • nathan

    i want a wii u so baddley i wonder what it costs? and when will miiverse be on 3ds?

    • Aaron

      3ds version will come out soon

    • gameguy

      it’s suppose to be out in march

  • http://www.facebook.com/ryan.brandt.564 Ryan Brandt

    I cant wait for it to come out on the 3ds! ^_^ and i have a red 3ds xl

  • gameguy

    $300