Nintendo has offered fans a first look at its new home console, the Revolution.

At a news briefing in Los Angeles, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata held aloft a prototype of the console that is due out next year.

Few technical details were given about the compact rectangular machine.

Nintendo is the last of the big three console makers to unveil its plans for a next-generation console.

Microsoft showcased its future console, the Xbox 360, last week, and Sony presented its PlayStation 3 on Monday.

All eyes are on Los Angeles this week for the world's largest video game show, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, E3.

Every year, thousands involved in the games business gather here to see what the future holds for the millions of gamers across the world.

Pocket gaming

In an attempt to grab some of the media attention surrounding Microsoft and Sony's new consoles, Nintendo talked up its accomplishments in the world of gaming.

In a event packed with fans at the Kodak Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, the Japanese games giant emphasised how it "owned the portable gaming space".

Nintendo surprised many by unveiling a new version of its best-selling GameBoy, called the GameBoy Micro, due to go on sale in the autumn.

The tiny game player is just slightly bigger than an iPod Mini, but two-thirds the weight.