Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
  • Games
  • TV
  • Movies
  • Hardware
  • Video
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Guides
  • Deals
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • SFX
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
View
Trending
  • Prime Day Deals
  • Superman
  • Donkey Kong Bananza
  • Switch 2 stock
Recommended reading
Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart on screen next to original Nintendo Switch with teal backdrop
Hardware Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch: How does the newest handheld compare in 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 with Mark Kart on screen next to Steam Deck with blue and purple backdrop
Games Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: how do both gaming handhelds compare?
White Xbox handheld sitting on light green surface next to ruler.
Handhelds The Xbox handheld just leaked, and it looks more like the PlayStation Portal than I was expecting
Photo of the new Xbox handheld, the ROG Xbox Ally X
Xbox Microsoft insists its Xbox handheld is a "breakthrough moment," but it kind of sounds like an ROG Ally with an Xbox sticker and Game Pass to me: "It looks like an Xbox, it feels like an Xbox, it plays like an Xbox"
Nintendo Switch in docked mode next to white Xbox Series S with navy backdrop and orange plus symbols.
Nintendo Switch 2 Switch 2 vs Xbox Series S: How does Nintendo's handheld compare?
Photo of the new Xbox handheld, the ROG Xbox Ally X
Handhelds Everything we know about the Asus ROG Xbox Ally
Photo of the new Xbox handheld, the ROG Xbox Ally X
Handhelds Don't tell Microsoft it's the Nintendo Switch 2 launch week, because it just announced two Xbox handhelds
  1. Games

Wii U Gamepad vs. Xbox 360 SmartGlass - comparing what we know so far

Features
By Alex Roth published 5 June 2012

We've got the rundown on the two console tablets on the horizon

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

E3 2012 is shaping up to be a grudge match for tablet supremacy between Microsoft and Nintendo. On Sunday, Nintendo unveiled the Wii U Gamepad. With its infrared capabilities and intuitive touch and stylus interface, it could have a library full of unique titles, plus fun gimmicks and meaningful gameplay tweaks from the biggest third-party developers. Then Microsoft debuted SmartGlass, an app that will turn your tablet or smartphone into a touch interface and media center bridge for the Xbox 360.

While competition is always good for the consumer, and having another tablet interface on the market might even help Nintendo wrangle third-party support, we cant help but compare the two. Is the SmartGlass truly a Wii U killer, or will it be little more than a flashy TV remote? Its way too early to say for sure, but lets contrast and compare what we know so far...

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
Price

Price

SmartGlass- Since Microsoft has said SmartGlass can use the latest iOS, Android or Windows tablets and smartphones, most users already own a device that will be able to work with their Xbox 360. Given that, SmartGlass will likely be downloaded as an app. No app price has been announced, but we think its safe to assume it will be free, provided you have an Xbox Live Gold account.

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
Control

Control

SmartGlass- Since its basically an app for your smart device and Xbox 360, the SmartGlass uses a purely touch based interface. It does, however, have seamless integration with many Kinect voice features.

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
Features

Features

SmartGlass- SmartGlass will turn your tablet or smartphone into an advanced tablet display and remote control for your Xbox 360. The two will be in constant communication, were guessing over Wi-Fi. Since multiple types of devices with varying levels of processing power will be SmartGlass-compatible, were wondering if there will be any disparity in performance, say between an iPad 2 and the new iPad.

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
Functionality

Functionality

SmartGlass- The Xbox's tablet service will also be able to move media between the two screens, turning your Xbox 360 into a hub for streaming entertainment on your television screen. Watch a movie on the bus, then pick right where you left off on the big screen! Also, some movies and TV will have SmartGlass enabled features, giving you information about the cast, credits and fictional world right on the tablet while you watch.

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
Gaming

Gaming

SmartGlass- To demonstrate the gaming potential for SmartGlass, Microsoft showed two conceptual gameplay demos involving Madden and Halo, two massive franchises. The Madden demonstration showed how a player could draw a play just like a coach on the sidelines. For Halo, the tablet provided supplementary data, and manage game invites on Xbox Live.

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
Social Networking

Social Networking

SmartGlass- Gamers will be able to communicate and share invitations without leaving their game. Microsofts demonstration showed how both the touch interaction and second display of a tablet can make networking on Xbox Live much easier. An on-screen keyboard will make typing a breeze, and youll be able to glance at a message without cluttering up the main screen.

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
Web Browsing

Web Browsing

SmartGlass- Microsoft has announced that Internet Explorer will be coming to the Xbox 360. A fully functional browser, itll be made even better by the on-screen keyboard your SmartGlass tablet will provide. Also, the tablets touch interface will let you simulate the point and click of a mouse. With this feature, an Xbox 360 with SmartGlass could the most viable console browser around.

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
What do you think?

What do you think?

What interests you more? The Wii U Gamepad or Xbox SmartGlass?

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
Alex Roth
Alex Roth
See more Games Features
Read more
Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart on screen next to original Nintendo Switch with teal backdrop
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch: How does the newest handheld compare in 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 with Mark Kart on screen next to Steam Deck with blue and purple backdrop
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: how do both gaming handhelds compare?
White Xbox handheld sitting on light green surface next to ruler.
The Xbox handheld just leaked, and it looks more like the PlayStation Portal than I was expecting
Photo of the new Xbox handheld, the ROG Xbox Ally X
Microsoft insists its Xbox handheld is a "breakthrough moment," but it kind of sounds like an ROG Ally with an Xbox sticker and Game Pass to me: "It looks like an Xbox, it feels like an Xbox, it plays like an Xbox"
Nintendo Switch in docked mode next to white Xbox Series S with navy backdrop and orange plus symbols.
Switch 2 vs Xbox Series S: How does Nintendo's handheld compare?
Photo of the new Xbox handheld, the ROG Xbox Ally X
Everything we know about the Asus ROG Xbox Ally
Latest in Games
Mario Kart World
Somewhere in Nintendo's recycling bin is the god of all Goombas, gifted the giant hands of a Super Mario Odyssey boss during experiments for the Switch 2's Donkey Kong Bananza
DK punches through gold Banandium chunks in Donkey Kong Bananza
"It must have been an absolute nightmare for the programmers": Nintendo explains Donkey Kong Bananza's voxel tech and why it doesn't look like "stacked cubes" like Minecraft or Hytale
Dune: Awakening
Dune: Awakening patch fixes the item duplication glitch hoarders discovered a day after devs removed the last one, and I think we all know what happens next
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild screenshot of Link cooking over a campfire
The Legend of Zelda and Red Dead Redemption 2 have whetted my appetite, so I've found the 7 best cooking games to tuck into
Marvel Rivals
NetEase surrenders to Marvel Rivals players, dresses up The Thing in a thong, calls him "The Thong" in front of all his friends, and puts other heroes in skimpy swimsuits starting this week
Life is Strange
Square Enix announces a complete $60 Life is Strange Collection for PS5, but the monkey's paw curls: only 2 of the 5 games are actually on the disc
Latest in Features
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild screenshot of Link cooking over a campfire
The Legend of Zelda and Red Dead Redemption 2 have whetted my appetite, so I've found the 7 best cooking games to tuck into
David Corenswet as Superman fighting back flames
I’m tired of MCU post-credits scenes that go nowhere, which is why Superman’s organic world-building is such a breath of fresh air
A female-presenting warrior in armor and furs holding a banner stares into the foreground, surrounded by an equipment menu and statistics block
I've played board games like Frosthaven for decades, but the digital version convinced me that it's a better introduction to the epic RPG
Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2077
It took me 326 hours to clock a less-obvious reason why Cyberpunk 2077 is the best open world RPG I've ever played: it's a secret comedy game
Lego Pokemon characters sit around a table, divided from a Fallout Vault 111 scene by a white line
From Fallout to Baldur's Gate 3, these are the gaming Lego sets I want to see next
Superman flies up above Metropolis in the Superman Returns game
I've been searching for the best Superman games after watching the new James Gunn movie – here are my 7 favorites
  1. Zion Wright grinds along a wooden balustrade in in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4's San Francisco level
    1
    Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 review: "A nostalgic, must-play hit for fans"
  2. 2
    College Football 26 review: “Thanks to rivalries and dynasty, this is the greatest show on turf”
  3. 3
    Mecha Break review: "This mech battler makes up for lacking customization with a varied roster that lets me live out my Evangelion fantasy"
  4. 4
    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: "This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse"
  5. 5
    Rematch review: "As with Rocket League, the just-one-more-game pull is magnetic"
  1. David Corenswet as Superman inside the Fortress of Solitude in James Gunn's Superman.
    1
    Superman review: "A triumphant reinvention and a promising start for the DCU"
  2. 2
    Jurassic World Rebirth Review: "An unscary sequel that needed a little more time in amber"
  3. 3
    M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion"
  4. 4
    28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
  5. 5
    Predator: Killer of Killers review: "Great characters, thrilling action, and gorgeous Arcane-esque animation"
  1. Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun in Squid Game season 3
    1
    Squid Game season 3 review: "A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever"
  2. 2
    Ironheart review: "A relic of Marvel's content-at-all-costs era"
  3. 3
    Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: "The show's most assured run of episodes to date"
  4. 4
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: 'The Reality War' is "a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling"
  5. 5
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...