Nintendo Wii U Launch Roundup

[Steve-O]

yooo people, Wii U got all it launch details and this thread is for rounding up the goodies.... all roundup details are from My Nintendo News

I'll put pricing on the top, the normal bundle comes at $250 (£210*) and the premium comes at $300 (£250*)

* UK Pricing is based on a tweet from Gamestation

First America:

Nintendo today revealed full details about how the new Wii U™ home console and its groundbreaking touch-screen Wii U GamePad controller can revolutionize not only video game play but also the way people find and watch TV and video content. The new HD system will offer entirely new ways for consumers to play games and enjoy their favorite programming when it launches in the Americas on Nov. 18. During the launch window, more than 50 games will be available for Wii U, which will be offered in two different colors and configurations. The Basic Set will be offered in white at a suggested retail price of $299.99, while the Deluxe Set, which includes higher storage capacity, additional accessories and the new Nintendo Land™ video game, will be offered in black at a suggested retail price of $349.99.

At a special Wii U preview event in New York, Nintendo also unveiled Nintendo TVii, an application that will let Wii U owners in the United States and Canada find, watch and engage with their favorite video entertainment in fun new ways. Using the GamePad controller, Nintendo TVii lets viewers seamlessly explore available video content from a variety of sources – including live TV, their TiVo DVR and video-on-demand services such as Netflix – all in one easy-to-use interface.

Additionally, Nintendo shared new information about dozens of games on the way for Wii U, including Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros.™ U, LEGO® City: Undercover, BAYONETTA 2, The Wonderful 101™, Capcom’s Monster Hunter™ 3 Ultimate and Activision’s Call of Duty®: Black Ops II. New Super Mario Bros. U offers unprecedented ways for friends and families to play together and explore Mario’s world using the GamePad. Nintendo Land, which will be available as a standalone game or included with the Wii U Deluxe Set, is a virtual theme park featuring a lineup of 12 playable attractions based on Nintendo’s greatest game worlds, including The Legend of Zelda™, Metroid™, Mario™, Animal Crossing™ and Donkey Kong™. As an added bonus for consumers, a Chase McCain LEGO minifigure will come as a special pre-order bonus for those who pre-order a copy of LEGO City: Undercover at participating retailers while supplies last. All of these games will instantly immerse players in a variety of new game-play experiences that are available only on Wii U.

The Wii U Basic Set includes a white Wii U console with 8 GB of internal storage, one white GamePad controller, AC adapters for both the console and controller, a sensor bar and an HDMI® cable. In the Wii U Deluxe Set, components are black. This bundle includes all elements from the Basic Set, as well as the Nintendo Land game, increased console storage capacity of 32 GB, a console stand, GamePad charging cradle and a stand that allows users to place the GamePad vertically on a table. Consumers who purchase the Deluxe Set also will be enrolled in the Deluxe Digital Promotion, which lets Wii U owners receive points for each digital download and redeem those points for future downloadable content from the Nintendo eShop. The promotion is currently planned through 2014.


Now Europe:

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.


Japan gets it LAST.... they get it on the 8th of December.... YES THE JAPANESE FINALLY GET TO FELL HOW WE FELL WITH GETTING CONSOLES LAST

Note that Gamestation has Priced Wii U in the uk as £210 for the Normal Version and £250 for premium version

 

[Martel]

£210 is a lot cheaper than I was expecting the console to be...it's actually kinda sorta maybe in my price range, and I might have some spare cash going if I'm lucky around then, meaning I may very well buy myself one for Christmas, because I like buying new consoles on release dates, and if I get it early maybe they'll drop the price and give people who bought it early some awesome games again as compensation

Launch lineup is predictably shit, though. They call that strong? This makes the second launch lineup for one of their consoles where there has been absolutely nothing worth purchasing it for. These upcoming games don't fill me with confidence either; they'll either be on PS3 or 360, or there is a bloody good reason why they won't be: they're crap. I mean, Bayonetta 2? Wasn't the first one bad enough? Do we REALLY need a sequel to that atrocity? Well, I'd welcome some more of those amazing boss themes, but that's about it. ANOTHER freakin' Mario game? Honestly, why can't they WAIT until they've got a decent number of games and THEN release the bloody console? A lot more people would buy it on launch day if it had actual games worth playing.

...although I have to admit if there is a Monster Hunter game coming out for it, that almost guarantees I'll purchase one. I loathe how bloody unwieldy the PSP ones are, but even if it is just Tri again with some additional features, I would gladly put away another 300+ hours on that. With a giant megusta grin plastered across my face, even as I feel my brain cells shut down one at a time as I forgo sleep and meals just for the sake of another mission. It got so bad for me with Tri that I actually had to give the game to my parents to hide whilst I did my exams; if they're bringing it out again with more content, that just gives me an excuse to play it again. I LOVE Monster Hunter when it's got proper controls. I don't relish the thought of trying to find some competent players to face Alatreon with again, but...oh god, I'm almost excited thinking about it. It's worth playing it for hours just to get Agnaktor armour and one of those fucking crazy Deviljho lances and then just power your way through EVERYTHING. At least it'll have ONE game worth playing on it...

 

[Steve-O]

Update: Australia Pricing:

$349.95 for the basic pack

$429 for the premium

Aussies will get the console on the 30th of november, same day as the EU... heck even the aussies are getting wii u before japan

 

[Squid]

Our prices are so fucking ridonkulous!!!


I will still get one though

 

[Steve-O]

Our prices are so fucking ridonkulous!!!


I will still get one though

I know.... i was reading a article about the aussie price.... your country add sooo much tax on eletronics

 

[Vulhala]

I know.... i was reading a article about the aussie price.... your country add sooo much tax on eletronics

And then censor the s**t out of all the decent games, to boot.

 

[Ohri-Jin]

The HDD does not have a lot of space does it? I wonder why. Tht would fill up instantly. I always wanted toplay pokemon in HD. I never buy consoles at release dates they tend to be buggy etc. and less interesting games.

Who know I might buy one next year depending on the titles and rpg's!

 

[Shaissa]

Wow NA first... Japan last.... WTF NINTENDO???

But anyways, I have been on the line about this ever since I heard of it being released... I have to say...still on the fence

All the games are just going be on the PS3/Xbox, the whole controller scheme just doesn't make me wanna jump up and down with joy....

On top of that... the games they do have coming out... most I wanna go So... yeah Still on the fence on If I am really buying one.

 

[Linnaete]

I don't think Japan will care too much about being last. They have that Dragon Quest MMO for the Wii that will probably last them for a good long while before any of them even consider shelling out for a third edition of the same Monster Hunter game. And oh yes, they will be buying Monster Hunter 3G in droves, because apparently it's worth buying again, possibly for the second or even third time.

The only game so far that interests me is whatever Monolith is making. I hold that developer to such high regard after their last game that a completely unannounced game with absolutely no details whatsoever is the most exciting part of the Wii U lineup so far. I'm not expecting another Xenoblade entry, which, considering that game wrapped up pretty adequately, would be for the best. Bring on a new IP, something that Nintendo traditionally wouldn't offer. If they can make something up there with Xenoblade's standards again, I'll buy your damn system. It's probably not for a little while yet, however...

Everything else? I am optimistic for an HD Zelda, as the Wii offerings didn't exactly get on my good side with the motion controls schemes. Then again, I'm not entertained by the prospect of a (likely to be expensive) clunky Fisher Price tablet as my controller, though that's probably something you have to personally use before judging, I would hope. Mario however, can just fuck off. I just don't know how they can manage to churn out so many of them nowadays. I never got into the games anyway, and considering they'll just all be the same again with every man and his dog familiar with the samey gameplay, I'm not getting any hopes up for that franchise. I'd rather they just work on a proper Paper Mario RPG first to begin with.

Bayonetta 2? I'm still on the fence on this. I've not touched the first game, though I've heard very mixed reports about it. Then again, I did enjoy the mindlessness of Vanquish as a non-stop action game, plus this is Platinum Games, so I suppose if the price is cheap enough, there's something to get out of it. And I suppose that Lego City Undercover game looks alright for what it is. I definitely enjoyed the Lego Star Wars games several years ago, and I did recently pick up Lego Batman 2 for when the kid cousins pop in to visit.

Short notes version: confirmed lineup looks a bit rubbish. Only really excited for Monolith's new game. Definitely not getting the Wii U at launch.

 

[The Master]

I have to say, I LOVE my Wii U. The launch titles were less than amazing though.

If you DO get a Wii U, get the deluxe. You get Nintendoland basically free with it and it's my new favorite game! It did the whole minigame thing right.

But I guess I would wait if I were any of you until more games come out or when the price drops.