Nintendo has revealed the social networking features that will be built into the Wii U. Called the Miiverse, the tools will let gamers talk, leave messages and even video chat with each other. Eventually these services will be available on all Nintendo hardware.

Announced in Nintendo's pre-E3 Wii U video presentation, the social networking features appear to resemble Twitter and Skype. A video showed the functionality being used on the Wii U tablet (now called the Wii U GamePad), TV screen connected to the Wii U GamePad, and on a mobile device.

The Wii U main menu was shown, which features numerous icons that represent games, along with a collection of Miis. These are your Mii, your friends' Miis, the Miis of other people on your Wii U console, and Miis from other people in your country. Miis swarm around games they are playing, and you can see messages left by other players.

Nintendo showed off the redesigned Wii U GamePad, confirming two proper analogue sticks, as well as an NFC button and the ability for the tablet to work independently as a TV remote control.

Surprisingly, Nintendo also revealed a proper game controller, called the Wii U Pro Controller. While we're sure it's not exactly the same as the Xbox 360 controller, it sure does look very similar – no bad thing given its popularity.

Finally, the ability to use the Wii U GamePad tablet as an internet browser was revealed. The content on the tablet can be sent to the TV or hidden from the big screen – or better still, hidden behind a curtain and then revealed in dramatic fashion.

What looked like New Super Mario Bros. Was shown off briefly, but the real game reveals and demos are due during Nintendo's proper E3 conference on Tuesday afternoon.