The Wii U supports just one touch-screen controller per console, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto has confirmed.

But if a game should require more, a 3DS could theoretically be used instead.

"Our basic premise is that you can use one [Wii U controller] with a system," Miyamoto told News.com.au.

"If we got to an idea of having multiple controllers it might just be more convenient for people to use their Nintendo 3DS and have a way to connect that."

So far we've seen multiplayer Wii U titles using up to four Wii Remote Plus controllers for additional players.

Limiting the Wii U to one controller would certainly limit costs for gamers. With a tablet-sized touch screen in each, spares wouldn't be cheap.

But is the Wii U technically robust enough to stream to two controller screens at once? Nintendo is still researching the prospect.

"We are doing research about if someone brings their controller to their friends house and they want to play together on Wii U to whether or not something like that would be possible," said Miyamoto.