Rumour - Nintendo prepping eReader subscription service for 3DS, Wii U

Leaks suggest the Wii U's tablet controller may double as an eReader when the console arrives later this year.

An anonymous source told ForgetTheBox that Nintendo will offer "books, magazines, newspapers, comics, and other publications" for download to the Wii U. The content will then be streamed to the controller.

On the "other publications" side, Nintendo's classic instruction manuals and player guides, many of which are long out of print, may be offered - along with new releases from Prima Games.

Along with the entire back catalogue of Nintendo Power, the company is said to be chasing a wide variety of magazines, and to offer automatic downloads for digital versions of magazines to which users already have subscriptions.

The 3DS is also slated for the same treatment apparently, with Nintendo said to envision the kind of shared functionality and controls as between the iPhone and iPad.

The Wii U is expected to be fully detailed and priced at E3 2012 in June, for a release this year.

Thanks, GameInformer.