Iwata explains why the Wii U controller isn’t 3D
Nintendo has reintroduced 3D gaming in the form of the 3DS. It’s a well-known fact that the company was able to offer such an experience without the need for glasses. One would think that, technically, Nintendo would be able to incorporate similar technology into the Wii U controller.
So why has Nintendo decided not to include 3D screen for the controller? Satoru Iwata told TIME’s Techland:
“We have a separate mission with Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Of course, there are some TV sets with the capability to show the 3D available today but it’s not dominating yet. Of course, you may want to say now that you have the second screen and you have the 3D technology with Nintendo 3DS, however after all, that kind of experience we can explore over the existing Nintendo 3DS machine. As I said, we are trying to make a new structure of home entertainment and because we are trying to make something unprecedented, we just wanted to focus on something different.”
Another thing worth mentioning is that making the controller 3D-ready would likely increase the cost of the device further. I imagine that it’ll be pretty expensive as it is now – it has a 6.2 inch touch screen, gyroscope, accelerometer, and a camera.
