Topic: Wii U Google Maps App Coming to Japan

[King Bowser Koopa]

Including a motion-based panoramic version of Street View!

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/32714

Nintendo's latest home console will soon have an exclusive version of Google's map viewing application, as revealed today by Iwata during the Japanese Nintendo Direct.

Not only will users be able to browse worldwide maps using both their TV and GamePad, the Google Maps program will feature top-down satellite views similar to those first seen in Google Earth.

Additionally, a unique version of the popular Street View function has been completely integrated into the software, featuring seamless panoramic camera movement mapped to the GamePad's tilt sensitivity, allowing users to explore foreign cities as if they were looking through a camera.

This application will be free to Japanese Wii U owners from January until March next year, after this period it will no longer be free. No word on pricing has yet been revealed, nor has the question of a one-time payment or an ongoing subscription fee been answered. 

We currently have no word on whether this application will be available outside of Japan either, but we'll update as soon as there's more news.

[StrikerObi]

Well this is... almost entirely useless. About as useless as the news and weather channels on the original Wii.

[beta4attack]

This is a rather nifty app  I will make sure to download this when available.

[tendoboy1984]

Of course it will be available in America. Google is an American company.

Also, take that Apple. :-)

[Razorkid]

This is pretty cool as a way to actually visit places around the world with family and on a bigger screen. I think its a clever marriage of the WiiU GamePad and Google maps as this is something you wouldn't necessarily do with a tablet or phone (being able to use the tv in tandem and all). My daughter is gonna love this! It's free and it's neat and I've got no complaints about it. It's a practical use of Google maps streetview that I've never realized before.