The Wii U's online capabilities have been questioned - it's still not clear how functional Miiverse is - but Nintendo announced that the next-generation console and its Nintendo 3DS handheld will support unified eShop accounts. eShop is intended to offer digital downloads of 3DS games, DSiWare and Virtual Console titles.

"A unified account system will be implemented later this year with the launch of the Wii U. Eventually the same account system will be made compatible with Nintendo 3DS systems," Nintendo's Customer Service Representative - David Marshall - said. He added no additional details are going be revealed at this time.

It's also not clear whether non-U.S. and Canadian regions will get the accounts, but it was confirmed the digital version of New Super Marios Bros. 2 for the 3DS will be limited to the aforementioned regions. Digital versions of games on the PlayStation Vita are typically more expensive, so it'll be interesting to see how Nintendo prices products.

"In the meantime, if the system has a problem, taking it to an authorized Service Center will maintain the Nintendo eShop account. If the system is stolen, we can transfer the account to a new system once we are provided with a valid police report," Marshall added when replying to a customer's e-mail.

Unified accounts are being offer from Microsoft and Sony: Microsoft uses a Windows Live ID, which works across all of its services (such as Hotmail and Xbox Live), while Sony launched allows content to be shared across the PlayStation 3 and Vita and Microsoft currently offers Xbox Live on Windows Phones, along with the Windows 8 integration which launches later this year.

It will also mean content can be shared between the two devices if connected, so if digital downloads of games aren't available in one region but another device is connected (from the UK, for example) does that mean games can still be shared?

The Wii U will release by the end of 2012, according to Nintendo (Worldwide) president Satoru Iwata. No pricing details have been announced, or launch titles.