In today’s European Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo has announced that their latest home console, Wii U, will launch across Europe from 30th November. Wii U is an HD console that offers more choice and variety of gameplay than ever before, with brand new gaming experiences enabled by the innovative Wii U GamePad controller, whether playing alone or together with friends. The Wii U GamePad offers an integrated second screen and can also be used independently of the TV set with certain software.
Two launch hardware packs were announced along with the strongest line-up of launch software in Nintendo history. These include third-party heavy hitters such as FIFA 13 from Electronic Arts and Activision’s Call Of Duty®: Black Ops II, Ubisoft’s ZombiU™ and RAYMAN® LEGENDS as well as in-house titles like Nintendo Land and New Super Mario Bros. U. The Nintendo Direct presentation also revealed previously unannounced upcoming software titles exclusive to Wii U, such as Capcom’s Monster Hunter™ 3 Ultimate and BAYONETTA 2, developed by Platinum Games and published by Nintendo.
The Wii U Basic Pack features a Wii U console with 8GB internal storage and a Wii U GamePad, both in white. The Wii U Premium Pack contains a black Wii U console and Wii U GamePad, and with 32GB of internal storage provides more space for downloadable digital content. The Premium Pack also contains a stand for the GamePad and console, a charging cradle for the GamePad, a sensor bar and the Nintendo Land software. Both packs also feature an HDMI cable and AC adapters for console and GamePad.
The Wii U Premium Pack also features a reward programme called Nintendo Network Premium that grants points for digital purchases in Nintendo eShop. Valued at around 10% of the original Nintendo eShop price, this credit can be used against future purchases once you reach a minimum of 500 points*.
The Nintendo Direct Wii U Preview also unveiled new details on software titles that will be available on launch day:
• New Super Mario Bros. U: The new 2D platform game introduces a giant world map full of distinctive courses to discover. The GamePad can be used to play solo when the TV is in use and can also be used to assist other players when playing co-operatively. An all-new test of players’ Super Mario skills appears in Boost Rush mode, where auto-scrolling courses scroll faster the more coins you pick up, while in Challenge Mode any course can offer completely different gameplay depending on the specific nature of the challenge at hand. From Time Attack to 1-Up challenges, even Mario veterans will need to bring their best game to beat the record!
• Nintendo Land: Each of the 12 attractions in this theme park packed with famous Nintendo franchises is a standalone game with multiple levels and gameplay modes. New Metroid Blast footage showed both co-operative and versus multiplayer shooting action, with different roles assigned to players using the GamePad or Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers. In The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest players can clear nine quests leading to new unlockable levels on their own or working together, using bow and arrows on the GamePad or sword and shield using a Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk, while solo players can also enjoy the game’s Time Attack mode.
Nintendo also lifted the lid on two games being created by Platinum Games. The previously unannounced title BAYONETTA 2 and The Wonderful 101 are both exclusive to Wii U and will be produced by Atsushi Inaba. Known as Project P-100 at E3 and directed by Hideki Kamiya, The Wonderful 101 sees players combine the might of various heroes to fight off an alien invasion, while BAYONETTA 2 is the sequel to the critically acclaimed BAYONETTA™ and will be directed by Yusuke Hashimoto.
Capcom’s Ryozo Tsujimoto revealed that Monster Hunter™ 3 Ultimate will be released for Wii U as well as Nintendo 3DS by March 2013. Fans can play the Wii U game with other players online, or connect to players of the Nintendo 3DS version of the game via a local wireless connection. It’s even possible to play at home on Wii U and continue the save file on the go with the Nintendo 3DS version of the game.
On Wii U, the Nintendo eShop will see titles which highlight the unique possibilities of the Wii U GamePad, as shown in videos for Trine 2: Director’s Cut, Toki Tori 2, and the stylish Nano Assault Neo, which can be played on the GamePad alone.
Existing Wii owners will be pleased to hear that nearly all Wii peripherals will be compatible with the Wii U console – with neither hardware pack including a Wii Remote Plus controller, Wii owners won’t need to repurchase peripherals they already own. For players who don’t already own a Wii console, Nintendo has created a Wii Remote Plus Additional Set containing a Wii Remote Plus controller, Nunchuk and sensor bar. Most Wii download software is also compatible with Wii U, meaning previously purchased WiiWare and Virtual Console titles will be transferable to the Wii U console.
Price? Im guessing itll be £320 in the UK then, thanks currency exchange…
it will be less than that lol £250 and £300.
Well the XL is $200 in america, and £180 here…
not this^. hope not just had to fork out for a new plasma, so not sure about the wii u now. not if it’s above 3 tonne anyway. 32gb sounds a bit shit, my ps3 is 320gb.
SD cards and a plug in hard drive. nuff said .
Calnt w8 for all this !!! £320 is no problem for that big daddy black package.
HYPED!!!! i said i have £500 . so that leaves me £180 for extra games!!
I’m getting £600 bonus in work in a couple of week’s, so will prob get it. Not sure if the gf will be very happy though.
The US prices are $299.99 and $349.99. Going by that, I’d say it’ll cost £189.99 (Basic Pack) and £219.99 (Premium Pack). Though they’re letting the retailers determine the price yet again, so expect higher prices…
Exactly. By exact foreign exchange, it should be about that price, but its never that simple…or cheap
£250 , £300 .
Still doesn’t look like they are saying true 5 player multiplayer in NSMBU. :(
Well, some people would take pressing a touch screen every now and then as gameplay…
epic
Oh I didn’t know that you can transfer Wii U data to your 3DS for MH3 Ultimate. That’s awesome! I think it’s also cool that the Wii U version and 3DS version are compatible to play together in co-op.
Bayonetta was a massive bombshell! Totally worth staying up.
Let all the operatic symphonic boss music in enochian commence.
This is so awesome! Didnt watch it the stream but did they go in depth about WiiU’s online? Also kinda sad about no mention of a retro game but this is still all good!
No, no online mention, nor mii universe, only dates, contents of bundles, and games trailers and info
why would they mention retro’s game in here instead of E3.
Wait, so Monster Hunter will have file saves transferable between the two systems? It also has online. Hopefully this comes to the US.
Definitely confirmed for US
yep its lie ps vita’s cross play function with the ps3 , but a LOT better.
3ds + wiiu >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>cross play .
i can use my 3ds as a controler for monster 3 on wiiu and see my character in 3d as apposed to HD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I noticed a typo: It’s not the strongest line up in Nintendo console history. It is the strongest launch line up EVER. Trolls might disagree as they only think CoD and other crappy FPS (which Wii U will also have) are considered real games and that Mario, Pikmin, Nintendo Land etc. etc. doesn’t count.
1UP
Boost rush mode and challenge mode? *shadow’s voice* Gettin serious eh?
I missed the launch, does anyone have a link of the video? Has it been uploaded yet? I couldn’t find one online.
I’m wondering if there will be a white deluxe version available? Cos I want the white one but I want the deluxe version… ?
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Reblogged this on hypersonic55 and commented:
To my surprise Nintendo’s Wii U Preview was very impressive, I wasn’t expecting the wealth of information that was given. Nintendo really did deliever on the software line-up and the amount of games available in the launch window looks pretty darn interesting especially from the third party developers. This has made my interest in the Wii U shoot up somewhat, though I’ll wait for the specific prices for each bundle before making a purchase.