Amazon Instant Video For Wii U Released

Nintendo's new console has received another jolt of streaming entertainment, with Amazon Instant Video landing on the Wii U today. The new service – which joins Netflix and Hulu Plus – puts 140,000 movies and TV shows for purchase or rental on the Wii U, while Amazon Prime subscribers can access around 30,000 titles without extra charge. If you're having trouble deciding what to watch, Amazon's recommendations system will put potential options on both your TV and the Wii U GamePad.

That second-screen interface can be browsed on the GamePad even while playback is continuing on your TV, allowing you to browse through the catalog simultaneously. Alternatively, if the TV is being selfishly used by somebody else, the GamePad itself can be used as a 6.2-inch portable display.

Amazon's WhisperSync service is also present, which means that if you've started watching a movie on your Kindle Fire HD, for instance, you can pause it on the tablet and then resume it straight away – from the same spot – on your Wii U. There's a Kid Zone for age-appropriate content, and parental controls for locking down the saucy stuff.

Amazon Instant Video for Wii U can be found in the Wii U eShop, and is a free install. You'll need to be a subscriber to Amazon Prime to get the free streaming, whereas other titles are available on either a purchase or rental basis.