As promised, Nintendo has rolled out their social network MiiVerse in-browser, allowing you to check in with your friends and join in with the numerous gaming communities. It's a forward-thinking move that will hopefully help to grow the platform, but the all-important 3DS app is still pending.

An unofficial Google Play app is also available, courtesy of Lanternware. You can read our MiiVerse discussion if you're still not sure what the service involves, and why it could be a major feather in Ninty's cap if handled properly.

We're convinced that MiiVerse is by far the most innovative and exciting new feature that the Wii U has to offer, and Nintendo president Satoru Iwata plans to massively expand the social network over the next few months.

Though it failed to light up the UK charts since November 30th, the Wii U has definitely become a talking point. Pundits, developers and gamers are obsessed with its power and specifications; arguing about whether it has enough grunt to be considered a next-gen console. We've been talking about the excellent Gamepad peripheral and how it could potentially lead to some revolutionary games. We've praised the launch lineup - which includes the excellent NSMBU and ZombiU - but complained that Nintendo's new console doesn't yet have a clear killer app.

What most people haven't been talking about, however, is MiiVerse.

It's hardly surprising. Nintendo has found it difficult to market the Wii U's social features, instead dwelling on asymmetrical multiplayer and family appeal. Without flashy screenshots, adverts or trailers to rely on, MiiVerse has slipped under the radar for many potential buyers, critics and even some Wii U owners.

This is a crying shame, because MiiVerse is nothing less than a revolutionary killer app... and one of the most forward-thinking console innovations of this current generation.

... But It's Not Quite Ready Yet

A long and slightly awkward seventeen months have passed since Nintendo first announced the Wii U at that E3 press conference. Despite promising a radical new peripheral, deep social features and a return to the classic games we know and love, potential problems and pitfalls have plagued the console at every turn, from rumours of manufacturing issues and underpowered specs to a tardy last-minute advertising campaign. Hopeful hype has been met by cynicism at every turn, helped in part by Nintendo playing things very close to their chest until the last possible second.

None of that matters now, because the concept has become reality and is currently sitting in lounges across the UK. The Wii U is here. The Gamepad is ready. Miiverse has opened its doors. Nintendo is back.

It's-a judgement time.

Throughout this review, we're going to discuss what makes the Wii U unique, its many strengths, noticeable weaknesses, the user experience and games lineup at launch. And most importantly of all: should you buy one this Christmas?

BioWare Mythic general manager Eugene Evans, a man with over three decades of industry experience, has suggested that the key to success when it comes to next-gen consoles will be directly related to the ease with which console communities might be migrated from one generation to the next.

Up To “30 Minutes” To Be Approved, States Iwata

In a somewhat expected move, Nintendo have confirmed that messages that users post on the Miiverse community features of the Wii U will need to be approved by “human resource” personnel before they appear online for general viewing.

We were hoping we'd get to see a bunch of Nintendo's finest at their E3 press conference this year. We didn't expect them to all end up in a minigame collection, though. Nintendo unveiled Nintendo Land as a collection of 12 small titles, which will be available at the console's launch, with NOA's Reggie Fils-Aime comparing the title to Wii Play.

“Creating Something Unique”

Ahead of the rush of conferences on Monday, Nintendo slipped in their surprise presentation to show off some of the ideas behind their upcoming console the Wii U. With Satoru Iwata taking presenting duties, we got a preview of what to expect from the Nintendo presentation on Tuesday.