Editor’s Note: Mike McClung, our CES correspondent, is a gadget geek and works as a workstation support coordinator at the university I attended.

CES 2012 is over. Sad, I know. As at each CES, some amazing new technology was introduced. And while Nintendo did not have an official presence at CES, they were in Vegas, and Pure Nintendo was invited to get another look at the Wii U.

This was my first hands on with Nintendo’s new game console, and I was, well… giddy as I waited in the hallway of the Las Vegas Hilton. I’m not ashamed to admit it. And the Wii U did not disappoint. Let’s start with the new tablet controller.

First, the tablet controller is light. No official specs on its weight have been released, but in the short time I had with it, it never made me feel it would be a problem holding it up for extended periods of time. The tablet is also very well designed ergonomically. It just fits. My thumbs fell right into place for the traditional A/B/X/Y buttons and the control pad, and my index fingers fell naturally on top of the L/R buttons. Some have voiced concerns about comfort over the long term. Though I used the tablet controller only for a few minutes, I never got the impression it would be a problem for extended periods. I guess only time will tell.
Gameplay using the tablet was challenging at first. However, I was able to quickly get used to the combination of buttons and gyroscope and represented Pure Nintendo quite well, if I do say so myself—which I do. In a demo game called Battle Mii, the Nintendo reps I was playing with narrowly beat me 4-3. The point here is that any new controller takes some getting used to. The tablet controller is no exception. However, Nintendo has made the learning curve much easier by combining new options with the familiar options Nintendo fans should be used to. As for the screen on the controller, image quality on the 6.2” resistive touch screen is good, but I felt a little more contrast would be helpful. There’s still plenty of time to sort that out before it’s released.

No specifics have been given concerning processor speed in the console, but game play was fluid and HD rendering was flawless on the demo Zelda HD game segment we were shown. I’m sure it will be a major leap forward in processing power over the Wii.

I’m truly excited about the Wii U. Nintendo has added a whole new dimension to game play with its tablet controller. As game developers utilize the unique capabilities of the Wii U, I’m guessing some amazing games will be released. I can hardly wait! If Nintendo can come through on a fourth quarter release date, I think I know what to get myself ask my wife to get me for Christmas this year!