The Wii U Will Meet You at CES | All Access CES | SPIKE

Nintendo's Wii hasn't been a big contender in the console wars for awhile, but they are finally starting to return some fire starting with 2012's CES.

Their recently unveiled Wii U console, the successor to the Wii, will get its first public test run at next month's CES gathering in Las Vegas.

The consoles will only be available for media to take it for a test run since Nintendo won't have an official booth at the conference and doesn't plan to unveil any new games, products or devices to the general public. The Wii U won't be ready for the public's consumption until the E3 Expo the following June.

This is hardly surprising since CES hasn't had a very big video game footprint since shows like E3 and the PAX conferences have become the premiere showcases for the newest gaming titles and technology. In other words, if you're going to Vegas for CES, there is no big rush to get your Mario hat and overalls to the dry cleaner.

With all the new electronics and gadgets CES 2012 in Las Vegas is going to be absolutely phenomenal. Best part? As the official broadcaster of the entire event, SPIKE is going to give viewers at home an All Access pass to see what goes behind the closed doors of CES 2012: exclusives, celebrities, special guests, and surprises that you won't find anywhere else - and it all starts on January 10.

Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images News