The secret is out and I think it looks great. Strange at first, but when you see how it’s used you’ll love it too.

As rumoured it offers telescopic control via the remote-like side which can also have all sorts of controllers plugged into it, not just the analogue stick thing you see here on the left - drums, dance mats, presumably even PS2-style pads to make ports easier. The remote can also be turned on its side to act as a NES pad. Very clever stuff indeed.

As Nintendo promised, I think this kind of hugely intuitive control will bring in all kinds of new gamers. Their approach of innovating (in the truest sense of the word) rather than primarily beefing up the graphics power (something they’ve admited they can’t afford to do) is a brilliant way to continue competing with Microsoft and Sony.

Update: As is her way, demon-typist Alice has a massive writeup of the Iwata speech.