Wii U Archives - Page 3 of 3

Wii U Launches in America on November 18 For $299.99

Nintendo of America has announced the North American launch details for the Wii U console. Hitting store shelves on November 18, 2012, the Wii U Basic Set will be available for $299.99, while the Wii U Deluxe Set will be available for $349.99. Here are the differences between the two bundles according to Nintendo:

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.

As for the games, Nintendo listed a number of first-party and third-party titles that will be available within the Wii U’s launch window:

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™.

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.

So there you have it! You know when it’s coming, you know what it will cost, and you know some of the games that will be available for the system. The question is, are any of planning to buy a Wii U? Why or why not?

Farewell Nintendo Power

It was sad hearing that Nintendo Power will be shutting down. Millions of Nintendo fans have been enjoying the magazine since the late ’80s. Like Egon Spengler said in 1984, print is dead — especially for people that want to read about videogames and videogame-related articles. That said, there was just something comforting about having longrunning magazines like Nintendo Power around. Yeah, you knew that the book was on the decline and that it would eventually go away, but you got warm fuzzies whenever you saw the logo or saw it at a newsstand.

While I’ve purchased dozens of Nintendo Power issues over the years, I couldn’t tell you the last time I bought one. Saying that I will miss the magazine has an empty ring to it. It’s more like…I’ll miss the nostalgic bliss the magazine conjured.

Will any of you miss Nintendo Power? Share some memories of your favorite issues when you have a moment.

E3 2012: Skylanders Giants Booth Tour

Here’s a quick run through of Activision’s booth for Skylanders Giants. The sequel to one of the most hugely successful games of 2011, this game brings bigger and badder toys to the mix. Meet some of the new Skylanders in this video booth tour.

Today’s Poll: Who Had the Best E3 2012 Press Conference?

You guys and dolls have discussed the Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony E3 2012 press conference. Now it’s time to pick which console company had the best presser! Please vote in today’s poll and explain your pick in the comments section…

As for me, the choice was clear. Nintendo had a great start with Pikmin and Super Mario Bros., then crashed hard. The presentation for SiNG halted momentum and that 3DS vice president dude sucked the oxygen out of the Nokia Theater. I thought Sony Kaz Hirai was the master of that trick. The Nintendo guy’s air-sucking ability raised the bar. He must have worked with the Kirby games.

Microsoft had a good show, but I wasn’t overly impressed with its first-party lineup. Halo 4 is going to dazzle — no doubt about that. I was never big on the Forza series, buy I get why people love it. The new Gears game??? With all due respect to the awesomely talented people at People Can Fly, my initial reaction was, “Look, it’s Gears of War: The Money Grab!”

Sony did the best job emphasizing games and had the best first-party lineup. I’m so psyched for Beyond and The Last of Us. Lots of people loved the God of War III demo…which I called Kratos vs. Goat Boy and Elephant Man. PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale was more fun than I thought it would be. Although it only got a brief mention at the presser, The Unfinished Swan is my favorite game of the show so far. For me, this was easily the best presser among the three.

Now it’s your turn! Pick the best E3 2012 presser and explain your pick in the comments section (please)!

[poll id=”153″]

Nintendo E3 2012 Press Conference Open Discussion

Nintendo has already revealed two controllers and a long overdue social network (Miiverse) at its pre-press-conference briefing. What does the company have in store for its proper press conference? Let’s find out together! You can watch the Nintendo E3 2012 press conference right here. As the info flows, please let me know what you think. With so much riding on the Wii U, Nintendo has to bust out some homeruns at this year’s show. I can’t wait to see if Nintendo can win over the mostly unenthused enthusiast-gaming press and the hardcore gaming crowd.

Satoru Iwata Talking Nintendo Wii U at 3PM PDT Today

Yesterday, Nintendo announced that company global president Satoru Iwata will be revealing new information on the upcoming Wii U at 3PM PDT today. You can watch the announcement here. The timing is very curious. The company has a major press conference scheduled for Tuesday, a large number of E3 attendees are traveling on Sunday, and most attendees in town already have plans for Sunday. It’s cool for fans to watch and all, but announcing a pre-press-conference announcement with a day’s notice sounds like poor planning.

My initial reaction was that Nintendo wanted to get a brief word in before the Microsoft and Sony pressers, kind of like the Internet equivalent of posting, “First!!!” in the comments section of a blog post. What do you think?

While the Nintendo event is happening, I’ll be imbibing beverages at a lovely industry party, catching up with old friends and making new ones. I’m sure we’ll be talking about the Wii U there, but I sure as hell won’t be formally covering it. That party will be immediately followed by a shindig from the fine folks at Polygon and Qualcomm, so I don’t expect to be writing about it all. If you happen to watch the event, I’d love to hear your thoughts on Iwata’s Wii U announcement. Please let me know!

Coffee Talk #486: Whataya Want From Nintendo at E3 2012?

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, your reaction to the John Edwards trial, Randy Orton violating WWE’s wellness policy, or my awesome (unofficial) Chris Jericho t-shirt, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

After discussing Microsoft and Sony, let’s close out your E3 2012 wishes and predictions with Nintendo. Out of the three console manufacturers, Nintendo has the most to lose or gain at E3 2012. It’s the only company showing new hardware — the Wii U. After massive success with the Nintendo DS and Wii, Nintendo’s recent fortunes haven’t been as hot. The 3DS is selling well, but the company’s financials are way down. Many pundits believe that the Wii U won’t have the same success as its predecessor. What say you?

Personally, I’m still waiting for Nintendo to dazzle the world with the Wii Vitality Sensor. Remember that thing? Ha!

Anyway, now’s your turn to share your E3 2012 wishes, predictions, and expectations. Fire away in the comments section as you listen to Adam Lambert (please!).