Nintendo WII-U Official Thread
Release Dates
November 18, 2012 in North America
November 30, 2012 in Europe and Australia
December 8, 2012 in Japan
Some insight on the specifications and compatibility of the WII-U
The Wii U is the first Nintendo console to support high-definition graphics, capable of producing video output up to 1080p, and has 2 GB of memory (20 times that of the Wii) with half dedicated to the console's operating system.
The console will be released in two versions: a "Basic" white-colored version with 8 GB of internal Flash storage; and a "Deluxe" black-colored version with 32 GB of Flash storage, which includes stand and docks. An HDMI cable will be included with both versions.
The Wii U's primary controller is the Wii U GamePad, which features an embedded touchscreen. The touchscreen is used to supplement the main gameplay shown on the television or, with supported games, can allow the player to continue playing games by displaying the main gameplay even when the television is off. In addition to the Wii U GamePad, a more traditional controller, called the Wii U Pro Controller, will also be available.
The system will be backward compatible with Wii, and Wii U games can support compatibility with Wii peripherals, such as the Wii Remote Plus and the Nunchuk. It will not be backward compatible with Nintendo GameCube discs or peripherals, although games will become available for purchase and downloaded from Nintendo's Virtual Console service.
Release Dates
November 18, 2012 in North America
November 30, 2012 in Europe and Australia
December 8, 2012 in Japan
Some insight on the specifications and compatibility of the WII-U
The Wii U is the first Nintendo console to support high-definition graphics, capable of producing video output up to 1080p, and has 2 GB of memory (20 times that of the Wii) with half dedicated to the console's operating system.
The console will be released in two versions: a "Basic" white-colored version with 8 GB of internal Flash storage; and a "Deluxe" black-colored version with 32 GB of Flash storage, which includes stand and docks. An HDMI cable will be included with both versions.
The Wii U's primary controller is the Wii U GamePad, which features an embedded touchscreen. The touchscreen is used to supplement the main gameplay shown on the television or, with supported games, can allow the player to continue playing games by displaying the main gameplay even when the television is off. In addition to the Wii U GamePad, a more traditional controller, called the Wii U Pro Controller, will also be available.
The system will be backward compatible with Wii, and Wii U games can support compatibility with Wii peripherals, such as the Wii Remote Plus and the Nunchuk. It will not be backward compatible with Nintendo GameCube discs or peripherals, although games will become available for purchase and downloaded from Nintendo's Virtual Console service.
What's in the box
Basic Set
This set comes with all the necessities for Wii U gameplay, plus access to a wide range of online entertainment and features.
Price
$299.99*
White Wii U Hardware
8GB Internal storage
Wii U GamePad
Wii U GamePad Stylus
Sensor bar
- Wii U console AC adapter
- Wii U GamePad AC adapter
- HDMI® cable
Deluxe Set
This package comes with everything you need to start playing right out of the box—including the Nintendo Land video game, plus additional storage space and accessories.
Price
$349.99*
Black Wii U Hardware
32GB Internal storage
Wii U GamePad
Wii U GamePad Stylus
Sensor bar
- Wii U console AC adapter
- Wii U GamePad AC adapter
- HDMI® cable
Nintendo Land video game
Deluxe Digital Promotion
Wii U GamePad Stand
Wii U GamePad Cradle
Wii U Console Stand
Wii Remote, Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk controllers are compatible with the Wii U console.
Accessories
These additional accessories can be purchased separately to enhance your Wii U experience when used with compatible games.
Wii U Pro Controller
Enjoy precise button-based gameplay with this ergonomically designed controller.
Wii U Console Stand
This accessory allows you to display your Wii U console in a vertical orientation, allowing it to fit comfortably in any home entertainment setup.
Wii U GamePad Stand / Cradle Set
Keep your Wii U GamePad fully charged and ready for action with the Wii U GamePad Cradle—and keep it close at hand with the Wii U GamePad Stand. This set is specially designed to keep the Wii U GamePad in an easy-to-view, upright position.
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Nintendo Unveils New Ergonomically Advanced Pro Controller for Wii U at Pre-E3
Just like its predecessor, Nintendo's Wii U will have a second controller option that looks and play more like the traditional game controller.
The Wii U Pro Controller, unveiled in a pre-E3 video presentation, offers a second way for Nintendo Wii U's players to play games that don't work with the Wii U gamepad.
The separate controller is also lighter than the gamepad and certainly will be more familiar to non-Nintendo players and can help tap into more multi-console titles that don't fit into the Wii U gamepad's scheme.
The controller will be sold separately from the Wii U.
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Nintendo's Pre-E3 Pulls Back the Curtain on Wii U's New Gamepad
Nintendo also unveiled a new "GamePad" to go with its Wii U as part of its pre-E3 announcement.
The "Wii U GamePad," named after the original NES GamePad, may look similar to the prototype that Nintendo unveiled at last year's E3, but some subtle and notable improvements have been added to the controller since then.
For instance, the sliding disc controllers on the top left and right side of the GamePad have been replaced with the infinitely more familiar 360-degree thumb-sticks that have become commonplace for Ps3 and Xbox 360 players and Wii users who prefer playing on the Classic Wii controllers. Nintendo has also redesigned the button layout to make room for the new sticks.
Nintendo also added an NFC reader or writer underneath the D-pad and the touchscreen in the middle of the GamePad can also be operated with a finger or a stylus pen. Both of these additions open up some interesting potential for the wide variety of gameplay the Wii U will be able to offer on a single peripheral.
Since the Wii U touts its ability to let players continue their game without a TV, they have also turned the new GamePad into a fully functional remote control that can control the television, even if the Wii U isn't running. The remote can be accessed with the TV button underneath the touchscreen on the right side of the device and turns the touchscreen into the interface for this remote.
This is all in addition to last year's announcements regarding the GamePad's motion sensors that will allow full motion control just like its predecessor as well as its ability to interact with both the television and the traditional Nintendo Wii controllers.
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Nintendo's Miiverse Aims to Make Social Gaming Even More Sociable
Nintendo wants to ramp up the social component of gaming by expanding its "Mii" community into a "Miiverse".
Of course, every console has a way to communicate with other players by chatting or texting over their console, but Nintendo's "Miiverse" may be the most ambitious in-game communication system yet.
Nintendo unveiled its "Miiverse" in a pre-E3 corporate video as a expansive way to talk to other Wii U players, even when they aren't on their consoles.
The system not only allows players to text and chat with other players in traditional texting methods on their Wii U GamePad, but it also utilizes the GamePad's touchscreen interface to allow players to write or draw messages with a stylus or their finger. They can even video conference with other players on their Wii U.
The "Miiverse" also allows players to see their fellow "Mii's" in real time and what they are up to by gathering them around game, application and entertainment icons. Think of it as the Wii's "Mii" room with more real estate and better land management.
The interface can also take place inside certain games. A demonstration featuring what could be the new Super Mario Bros. game for the console allows fellow "Mii's" to send updates and messages to certain plot points and worlds within the context of the game that show up on the Wii U's touchscreen to avoid interference with the big screen gameplay.
The most impressive part of the "Miiverse" are the plans to offer access beyond just the Wii U. Nintendo plans to expand access to the "Miiverse" and incoming and outgoing messages on smartphones with web-access, PCs and the Nintendo 3Ds once the Wii U goes public.
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We all know the Wii U is coming. We got some information from Katsuya Eguchi about the Wii U and its nuts and bolts, and now more details are coming to light.
Friend Codes
First, the Wii's Friend Code system has been unceremoniously done away with. It'll be replaced with a simpler system, although Nintendo is coy about the details. They will say that you can have more interactions with friends than you can with the general public, and that the system will be easier to use.
Achievements
Nintendo still won't be making achievements mandatory on games; they're leaving that as a developer decision on a game-by-game basis. But, similar to the 3DS, it's happy to incorporate its own achievements into the system itself, so even if your games have no achievements, you might still be unlocking a few anyway.
More On The Game Pad
In our interview with Eguchi, he mentioned that the battery life meant that Nintendo was ensuring the Game Pad controller would have a long charging cord. We also now know the charging port is on the bottom, so that's something of a relief, at least.
Used Games
Rumors about the next XBox and PlayStation incorporating anti-used game features have been rampant, but according to Nintendo, specifically Reggie Fils-Aime:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"We have not put in place any technology to go after the used game business."
Nintendo Announces 23 Wii U Games for Launch Day
Wonder no more: Here's the full list of twenty-three games that according to their publishers will be available day and date with the system.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Skylanders Giants
Transformers Prime
Wipeout 3
Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two
FIFA Soccer 13
Tekken Tag Tournament 2
New Super Mario Bros. U
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge
Nintendo Land
SiNG Party
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper
Darksiders II
Assassin's Creed III
ESPN Sports Connection
Just Dance 4
Rabbids Land
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013
ZombiU
Scribblenauts Unlimited
Game Party Champions
Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition
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More news to follow.....
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