News: Panorama View and Google Maps Coming to Wii U

Games weren’t the only thing Nintendo talked about in today’s Nintendo Direct presentation; the company also announced two Wii U apps that would be hitting the console early next year.

The first, Wii U Panorama View, is based on the demo of the same name from this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo. This app utilizes the GamePad’s gyroscope to give you a 360° view of different cities and locations around the world. Panorama View will launch on the eShop next spring as a paid download, though there will be a free trail version available on the service soon.

Nintendo also announced that Google Maps would likewise be coming to the console in the first quarter of next year. Like Panorama View, the application takes advantage of the GamePad’s gyroscope to give you a full 360° look in Street View. Mr. Iwata demonstrated this feature himself during the presentation, taking viewers on a virtual tour of Nintendo of America’s Redmond headquarters…or at least the road leading up to it. You can see that for yourself in the video below.

So, what do you think Nintendo’s new map applications? Do you plan on checking out Wii U Panorama View when it hits the eShop? Let us know in the comments section!