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| The Wii U "Basic Set" |
At a special event held in New York this morning, Nintendo finally announced the pricing and release date for their upcoming Wii U console: $299.99 (for the Basic Set) and $349.99 (for the Deluxe Set), both available November 18, 2012. And the likes of Assassin's Creed III, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate will be available in the "launch window."
Among so many other announcements, that's the biggest news for the event. The full release is featured below, including information on TVii and a complete list of games in the "launch window" as defined from November 18, 2012 through March 31, 2012:
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 favourite programming when it launches in North America 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 favourite 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 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 wait is almost over — in just 66 days, Wii U will arrive with the strongest lineup of launch software in Nintendo history,” said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. “With the integrated second screen of the included GamePad and features that instantly enhance the way people play games, watch video and interact with each other, consumers will see how Wii U delivers a completely unique experience and a remarkable value right out of the box. The new system also creates extraordinary new possibilities for game developers, bound only by the limits of their imaginations.”
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.
Both configurations offer a wealth of one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences, including an online gaming community called Miiverse and the new Nintendo TVii application. Using the touch screen on the GamePad controller, Nintendo TVii users will be able to browse programming from sources they subscribe to, including cable and satellite channels and Netflix – all from a single starting point. More details about Nintendo TVii services available in Canada will come at a later date.
The selection of third-party games on the way for Wii U will include some of the industry’s biggest names and most beloved franchises. Activision is set to bring several of its leading properties to Wii U during the launch window, including Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Skylanders Giants and TRANSFORMERS PRIME. Other third-party games coming soon to Wii U include Assassin’s Creed III, ZombiU, Rayman Legends® and Just Dance 4 from Ubisoft, Madden NFL 13 and Mass Effect 3 from Electronic Arts, Scribblenauts Unlimited and Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two from Disney Interactive.
“The integrated second screen of the GamePad creates new possibilities for how games can be played, and further reflects the innovation Nintendo has poured into the Wii U,” said Eric Hirshberg, Activision Publishing’s CEO. “We’re excited for our fans to experience the biggest franchises, like Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Skylanders Giants and Transformers Prime, in new ways made possible on Wii U.”
Below is a list of upcoming Wii U games that will be available on launch day or during the "launch window". (For information about third-party games, check with the individual publishers.)
Publisher Title 505 Games Funky Barn 2K Sports NBA 2K13 Activision Publishing, Inc. 007™ Legends Call of Duty®: Black Ops II TRANSFORMERS PRIME™ Wipeout 3 Skylanders Giants™ Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2013 Rapala Pro Bass Fishing Capcom Monster Hunter™ 3 Ultimate D3Publisher Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game Ben 10: Omniverse™ Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade Disney Interactive Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two Electronic Arts Mass Effect™ 3 Madden NFL 13 EA SPORTS™ FIFA Soccer 13 Frozenbyte Trine 2™: Director’s Cut Gaijin Games Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien Majesco Entertainment Zumba® Fitness Core Maximum Games Jett Tailfin™ NAMCO BANDAI TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT™ 2 Wii U Edition TANK! TANK! TANK!™ Nintendo Nintendo Land™ New Super Mario Bros.™ U NINJA GAIDEN™ 3: Razor’s Edge SiNG PARTY™ LEGO® City: Undercover Wii Fit™ U Game & Wario™ Pikmin™ 3 The Wonderful 101™ SEGA Aliens: Colonial Marines™ Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Shin’en Nano Assault Neo Tecmo Koei America Corporation WARRIORS OROCHI® 3 Hyper THQ Darksiders® II Wheel of Fortune® JEOPARDY! ® Two Tribes Toki Tori 2 Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed® III Just Dance® 4 Marvel Avengers™: Battle for Earth Rabbids® Land Sports Connection™ Your Shape®: Fitness Evolved 2013 ZombiU™ Rayman Legends® Warner Bros. Interactive Scribblenauts™ Unlimited Game Party Champions Batman: Arkham City™ Armored Edition
