Nintendo to woo gamers with 'Wii U'

Los Angeles -  Nintendo on Tuesday provided the first glimpse of a second-generation Wii console designed to dispel notions its system is not up to the standards of "hardcore" videogame players.

"Wii U" built on the Japanese videogame titan's record of hardware innovation with a controller that combined a tablet computer-style touch screen with toggles and buttons used for blockbuster shooter or action titles.

"The boundaries that once divided players are starting to be erased," Nintendo chief executive Satoru Iwata said as the world got a look at the Wii U at the opening of a premier Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles.

"For Nintendo, the goal of innovation is to serve every player."

Nintendo did not reveal how much it planned to charge for Wii U when the new consoles hit the market next year to do battle with Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3.