In previous games, tilting the control stick a tiny bit would send Sonic on a light trot, while tilting the stick all the way would launch him at top speed. This made precision platforming a lot more finicky than it needed to be. In Lost World, Sonic will walk by default with the tilt of the stick. Only once you hold down one of the GamePad triggers will Sonic launch into a sprint. Then if you hold down the second trigger, Sonic will curl into a ball for even greater speed.

Another issue plaguing Sonic's 3D escapades has been the sudden break in momentum should he run into a wall. In Lost World, as long as the run trigger is depressed, Sonic will execute a wall run or some other Parkour action should he slam into an obstacle. This will ensure that next to nothing will impede your forward progress.

Returning from Sonic Colors are the Wisp power-ups, which can be manipulated via the GamePad's touchscreen. If you wish, you can play with the Wii Remote-Nunchuk combo and pass the GamePad off to a second player, who will be able to offer touchscreen support à la New Super Mario Bros. U or Rayman Legends.

SEGA also shared screens of the 3DS version, which will be the first handheld Sonic game to offer full 3D exploration just like its console brethren. It doesn't sound like it'll be a 1:1 port of Lost World Wii U, but it ought to be more faithful than portable companions in the past.

I really hope Sonic Lost World is on display at E3. I'm getting rather thirsty.

Rise Against the Deadly Six in Sonic Lost World [SEGA]
Sonic: Lost World - Taking a Page From Mario Galaxy [IGN]