Nintendo has detailed a new feature of its upcoming next-generation home console, the Wii U, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2012.

The main unseen feature of the new console is the Panoramic mode, which sees the user with the touch screen controller turning it left or right to offer a different view to the one offered by the main display. With the Wii U's ability to handle 1080p HD without a hitch, Nintendo is hoping to not only change the way controllers are used, but to also take advantage of more advanced internal hardware.

As T3 questions, is this new panoramic technology really necessary? How often in a game do you wish you could see to the left/right while also looking forward?

One of the biggest problems for the Japanese gaming firm with the current generation Wii has been that in terms of raw power; it falls far behind the Xbox 360 and PS3. Incapable of full HD, Nintendo had to take it in a different direction, which is what the Wiimote helped do.

It's expected that the next generation Wii-U will still fall behind the rumoured Xbox 720 Loop and Playstation 4 consoles in terms of graphical power, but it will take a big step up from current Nintendo hardware.