Nintendo blow lid on Wii successor

Following days of hightened Internet rumour-mongering and gossip, Nintendo has announced that it intends to release a successor to its popular Wii video game console next year, as well as that a playable demonstation unit will be showcased at this year’s E3 Expo in Los Angeles.

The console was announced in a note sent out by Nintendo to their investors that read:

“To whom it may concern:

Re: Wii’s successor system

Nintendo Co., Ltd. has decided to launch in 2012 a system to succeed Wii, which the company has sold 86.01 million units on a consolidated shipment basis between its launch in 2006 and the end of March 2011.

We will show a playable model of the new system and announce more specifications at the E3 Expo, which will be held June 7-9, 2011, in Los Angeles.

Sales of this new system have not been included in the financial forecasts announced today for the fiscal term ending March 2012.”

While delivering on a release window (read late 2012), as well as ratifying the rumour that the console was to be demonstrated at E3, the sparse details regarding the actual system and its specifications has led to a cavalcade of speculative and, if we are being honest, interesting mock-ups. Here are some of the picks so far…

Want understated and undercover-style concept delivery? Well what about this:

Nice and authentically blurry isn’t it? However, if that seems far to serious for your tastes why not put some money on this:

Ahhh, that’s better. Nice and clear, and with only minimal Photoshop too. This would seem to ratify that the Wii 2 is indeed going to include a touchscreen interface on its controller, one of the most prominant rumours currently circulating. Surely though the existing Wii remote is a little old hat now in 2011. Wouldn’t it be better if it was Apple-ified like this:

Now you are talking! Look at that chrome finish and sleek design. It’s almost as if someone just stuck a few buttons and thumbsticks onto a iMac; perfect for this post-Microsoft world. This also gets extra points for having the mandatory 10-99 per cent mock-up blur factor too.

However, in the eyes of How It Works, there can be only one real winner due to its blatant veracity and authenticity:

Touchscreen? Check. New revolutionary design? Check. Sleek Apple-style contours? Check! Four thumbsticks? Check!!!

Well, we know where our chips lie, but what about you? Has there been any mock-ups that have caught your eye? If so, let us know in the comments.