The Wii U marks Nintendo's entry in the new generation of consoles, ahead of rivals Microsoft and Sony. The new system is powered by the Wii U GamePad, a controller with a 6.2-inch display in the center. (Thankfully, a more traditional controller is also available.)

The console itself looks like a beefed-up Wii, with full 1080p video output, 2 GB RAM and new, top-secret IBM PowerPC-based CPU.

The system will be backward compatible with Wii, and Wii U games can support compatibility with Wii peripherals, such as the Wii Remote Plus and the Nunchuk. Unlike the console before it, the Wii U will not be backward compatible with Nintendo GameCube discs or peripherals.

For $349 at Best Buy, you can pick up a black model with Nintendo Land in the box.

The new console goes on sale in the US tonight at midnight.