Nintendo appears to be rolling again on initiative when it comes to breaking the next-generation seal. While other console giants still have their d20s pocketed, Wii’s successor will be making its second appearance at CES 2012 starting January 10th.Like any sane Nintendo fan, I’m happy to hear it… though a little stumped, too. Company president Satoru Iwata unveiled the white box and touch pad at E3 2011, and we’ve since been told that a final design – June was all shits and giggles – would be unveiled at E3 2012.

Many reports clarify this apparent about-face by playing Nintendo’s CES presence down: no booth, no grand stage presence, no “games, experiences or information beyond what was available at the 2011 E3 Expo.” Unless Nintendo plan on keeping the console behind closed doors, the question still stands as to what the thing will look like, certainly seeing as we’re squarely between Electronic Entertainment Expos! Out of sight, but hardly out of mind.

Either way, Wii U is still slated for release sometime in the latter half of 2012.

P.S.: simply because they’re that interesting, here’s my relink of Matthew Karch’s next-gen musings.