Nintendo Announces WiiU Launch Details

[DoctorFinger]

In a few minutes Nintendo will be holding a press conference to (finally!) announce the launch details for the WiiU. They just wrapped up a similar one for Japan, where the system will launch December 8 in two flavors: a basic white version with 8GB flash memory for ¥26,250 ($336) and a premium black console with 32GB memory for ¥31,500 ($405).

- Launch Dates for the WiiU. North America: Sunday, November 18. Europe: Friday, November 30. Japan: Saturday, December 8

- Two different hardware configurations. White basic set with 8GB for $299. Black deluxe set with GamePad charging cradle, NintendoLand, and WiiU points program for $349. Neither set will come with WiiMotes or Nunchuks, since Nintendo thinks everyone already has tons of them out there. Nintendo has not yet announced pricing for accessories in North America, but they should have that info out soon.

- Nintendo TVii. Movies, sports and TV on a Tivo DVR or TV. Hulu, Amazon Video, Netflix, controlled by the GamePad. Will create custom program guides drawn from streaming sources, DVR and live TV. Included with no cost and no added fees.

Nintendo then moved onto the WiiU games.

- Metroid Glass section of NintendoLand shown off. Third person shooter with a cutesy, super-deformed art style. Co-op assault mission mode shown, with the GamePad controlling the ship, and the TV/WiiMote player controlling Samus. WiiMote player can grapple onto ship and perform other combo moves. Not your daddy's Metroid.

- New Super Mario Bros U. New powerups like the flying squirrel. Some modes let you use your Mii on screen. Co-op speed run mode, where the GamePad lets you aid the player for maximum speed. Objective mode asks you to complete levels within parameters, like never touching the ground.

- Lego City Undercover. Lego parody of GTA-style games and cop movies/TV. Preorder to get a "Legs McCain" minifigure.

- Bayonetta 2 exclusive for the WiiU, published by Nintendo. That is surprising.

- Also from Platinum Games: The Wonderful 101 (formerly known as P-100), a team of heroes fighting off an alien invasion. WiiU exclusive.

- Capcom bringing Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate to the WiiU and 3DS. Cross platform advancement.

- Now Activision is bringing a lot to the WiiU: Skylanders Giants, Wipeout 3, 007 Legends, Transformers Prime and Black Ops 2.

- Nintendo says that 50 games will be available in the launch window, which they define as running from launch to the end of March. Which is a very large window if you ask me.

[tacitus]

I just can't wrap my head around the wii-u.

[Quinefer]

Wii U doomed to failure then.

With it's handheld business massacred by the iDevices, say goodbye to Nintendo as a hardware company.

[Gorvi]

This TV thing seems so useless. We have these services already. It's neat that there's one place that brings them together on the system, but they're spending way too much time on this thing.

[Suave Peanut]

That's a lot of money I'm spending to play Pikmin.

[Panthera]

Looks good. I probably won't get it at launch, but I can't see myself skipping a mario device.

[Rock Bandit]

Bayonetta 2 just got announced for the WiiU over on the Japanese stream.

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by Rock Bandit

Bayonetta 2 just got announced for the WiiU over on the Japanese stream.

That had better be on PS3/360........

EDIT: And here it is on the US stream, saying it's going to be a WiiU exclusive published by Nintendo. Ugh.

[Suave Peanut]

Originally Posted by Rock Bandit

Bayonetta 2 just got announced for the WiiU over on the Japanese stream.

And now it's on the US stream. They're calling it a WiiU exclusive, published by Nintendo.

[Rock Bandit]

Fuck. Platinum going deep on the WiiU.

[fitbabits]

I'm not feeling any excitement for the WiiU. Nintendo had better hope that those who bought the Wii and stored it after playing Wii Sports for a while are on board this time around.

[fitbabits]

Originally Posted by Rock Bandit

Bayonetta 2 just got announced for the WiiU over on the Japanese stream.

Originally Posted by Gorvi

That had better be on PS3/360........

EDIT: And here it is on the US stream, saying it's going to be a WiiU exclusive published by Nintendo. Ugh.

Originally Posted by Suave Peanut

And now it's on the US stream. They're calling it a WiiU exclusive, published by Nintendo.

Originally Posted by Rock Bandit

Fuck. Platinum going deep on the WiiU.

Wake me up if it's announced for PC.

[OldJadedGamer]

Too rich for my blood. The only Nintendo home system I don't buy at launch. Way to pull a PS3 Nintendo.

[Ravenlock]

Originally Posted by Quinefer

Wii U doomed to failure then.

With it's handheld business massacred by the iDevices, say goodbye to Nintendo as a hardware company.

You realize that the 3DS had a way better first year than the original DS did, right? Nearly double the units sold, and more than double the revenue.

As for the Wii U, I don't think I'm in at launch, but I'm sure I'll be in eventually.

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by fitbabits

I'm not feeling any excitement for the WiiU. Nintendo had better hope that those who bought the Wii and stored it after playing Wii Sports for a while are on board this time around.

I'm in the same boat. Right now Bayonetta 2 is the only game I have any interest for, and I haven't even finished the original.

[Rock Bandit]

Did Activision really just do a sizzle reel of shovelware?

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by Rock Bandit

Did Activision really just do a sizzle reel of shovelware?

Yes they did, and now here's Call of Duty.

[Rock Bandit]

If this demo looks worse (graphically) than what they've shown on 360 already....

edit: ok, being able to do couch co-op without having to split the screen is pretty neat

[divinechaos]

Nothing for me.

[DoctorFinger]

Live stream is over. We'll update with more info (like accessory pricing) when we get it.