Following with tradition of launching a new console in time for the holiday season, Nintendo set the date of November 18 for the launch of the Nintendo Wii U console, which was discussed in June at E3. The game system, which introduces asynchronous gaming, will have more than 50 game titles available at launch, however some of the titles will trickle in just after the console hits stores. The console manufacturer also released details on Nintendo TVii, a content application that lets users browse TV and on-demand content on the Wii U touch screen and watch on their TV.
Among the details given at a press conference in New York, Nintendo announced two bundle configurations for the Wii U. The Basic Set will be priced at $299.99; and a Deluxe Set will sell for $349.99. Although there was no announcement about 3D gaming support on the new console, the Wii U will be the first Nintendo console to support full high definition gaming with resolution up to 1080p. Also, the Wii U is backwardly compatible with current Wii games.
Wii U in a Box
The Wii U Basic Set includes a white Wii U console with 8 GB of internal storage. The set will come with one white GamePad controller, AC adapters for both the console and controller, a sensor bar and HDMI cable. S black Wii U Deluxe Set is configured with 32 GB of internal storage. It has all the elements of the Basic Set, plus a console stand, GamePad charging cradle, and a stand that holds the GamePad vertically on a table. The Deluxe Set also comes with a copy of Nintendo Land. Nintendo is running a program for those who purchase the Deluxe Set. Everyone who goes home with the higher priced set will be enrolled in the Deluxe Digital Promotion, a loyalty program that awards gamers points for each digital download, and lets users redeem those points for future downloadable content from the Nintendo eShop. Nintendo said the promotion will run through 2014.
On the TVii
A new feature Nintendo discussed at its press briefing is TVii, a content delivery system for the Wii U console. Gamers will be able to use the Wii U GamePad controller's touch screen to browse content from any programming source including cable and satellite TV channels, plus online on-demand content from sources including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube, and recorded TiVo programming. The GamePad lets users visually scroll through content, similar to some iPad and tablet apps.
TVii puts Nintendo in the arena with Microsoft and Sony. Both competing console manufacturers have content delivery deals in place through Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network. Where Nintendo could win is the navigation and menus. The touch screen on the GamePad delivers a tablet-like experience where users have to navigate menus and browse content with game controllers on the other systems.
Games Library
Over 50 titles will be available for the Wii U at launch. It should be noted that Nintendo defines its launch window as the period beginning November 18, 2012 and ending March 31, 2013. It's likely that a good number of titles, both from Nintendo and other developers, will not be in stores before the holiday. By comparison, the Microsoft Xbox 360 had 20 launch titles on the day the game system launched. In the U.S., the PlayStation 3 had 12 launch titles. The number was higher for the PlayStation 3 launch in Europe, likely due to titles that came out just after the US launch of the system. The list of publishers, including Nintendo, totals 20 for games that will be out on launch day. Nintendo promises games including 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 and The Wonderful 101. Nintendo needs to build its library in order to get people to buy a pricy game system, and the fact that it's developing 10 of the 50 titles in house helps give the library a boost.
"The question is how many first-party titles, and some of the strong titles they have with the brand. That's going to be important," Wanda Malonie, founder and senior analyst with M2 Research tells Big Picture Big Sound. "For Nintendo, that's a really big part of their play, the strength of the brands they have."
Titles from other publishers are also important, to help build the library and make sure there's plenty of content for the Wii U system. Third party developers are working on a number of titles in the launch window. Activision is getting ready to release 007 Legends, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Transformers Prime, Wipeout 3, Skylanders Giants, Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013, and Rapala Pro Bass Fishing. Ubisoft will put out Wii U versions of Assassin's Creed III, Just Dance 4, Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth, Rabbids Land, Sports Connection, Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013, ZombiU and Rayman Legends. D3 Publisher will release Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game, Ben 10: Omniverse and Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade. Electronic Arts has three titles including Mass Effect 3, Madden NFL 13 and EA Sports FIFA Soccer 13. Namco is developing Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition and Tank! Tank! Tank!. Two titles from SEGA include Aliens: Colonial Marines, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. THQ has Darksiders II, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! on the way. Warner Bros. Interactive will release Scribblenauts Unlimited, Game Party Champions and Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition. Single titles will be released from 505 Games, 2K Sports, Capcom, Disney Interactive, Frozenbyte, Gaijin Games, Majesco, Maximum Games, Shin'en, Tecmo KOEI and Two Tribes.
Anticipation for the game system is building, and now the release date and details are known. While Nintendo went after a broader audience with the Wii system, the price tag of $349 for the Deluxe Set may be seen as a little steep for casual gamers who still use their Wii system.
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