Wii U launches on November 18, starting at $299.99

Nintendo has finally announced the final plans for Wii U's North American launch

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Are you ready to look as happy as these two? Nintendo has finally announced the final plans for Wii U's North American launch. The house of Mario's next-gen console will be available at retailers on November 18. Like in Japan, the console will be available in a variety of SKUs. The base model will feature 8GB of storage. The "Basic Set" includes the Wii U console, GamePad, HDMI cable, Wii U sensor bar, and 8GB of storage. Everything will be white. This bundle will be available for $299.99.

Wii U Deluxe Set

The "Deluxe Set" includes 32GB of memory, a GamePad charging cradle, and stands for the GamePad and console. This bundle also includes Nintendo Land. This set will be available in all black. In addition, the Deluxe set will grant access to a premium service that grants points for every digital purchase made on the Nintendo Network. This bundle will be available for $349.99. Neither console will include original Wii accessories, as Nintendo of America president has pointed out compatibility with last-gen accessories.

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    September 13, 2012 7:05 AM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, Wii U launches on November 18.

    Nintendo has finally announced the final plans for Wii U's North American launch

    • reply
      September 13, 2012 7:10 AM

      $299 for basic, $349 for deluxe (game + stand + parts)

      Called it : http://www.shacknews.com/chatty?id=28874126#item_28874126 :)

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        September 13, 2012 7:12 AM

        And Pachter's already predicting a 2013 price cut, ha.

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          September 13, 2012 10:39 AM

          Gonna be hard to hate on that prediction.

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        September 13, 2012 3:46 PM

        It's $299.99, not $299. Sorry.

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      September 13, 2012 7:10 AM

      My prediction was wrong! It wasn't $1, drats.

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      September 13, 2012 7:11 AM

      ouch, that kind of seems like a lot for a nintendo system

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      September 13, 2012 7:37 AM

      The system allows for other means of storage such as SD cards, right? If so, I'll probably pick up the Basic Set since I don't care about Nintendo Land.

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        September 13, 2012 8:03 AM

        USB hard drives are supported. But I think I'll still go with the pricier one...though not really for Nintendo Land.

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        September 13, 2012 8:11 AM

        Yeah, I mean, what's the deal with the Premium set? Nintendoland plus a charging cradle and a couple stands? That's worth $150 extra? Not... really.

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          September 13, 2012 8:12 AM

          $50, not $150.

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            September 13, 2012 8:56 AM

            Yeah, I have to say I'm considering the Premium set more. You know peripherals like the charging cradle will cost around $30-$50 alone. Might as well quadruple my storage capacity and whatever else they toss in.

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              September 13, 2012 8:59 AM

              That's it from what I've read, oh and it's black... Not quite enough for me since I'll be hooking up a USB hard drive to it anyways.

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                September 13, 2012 9:03 AM

                How do you charge the controller without a cradle, though? If you end up needing one, I'll wait to see how much they'll run separately, and just buy the Premium set if the price evens out.

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                  September 13, 2012 9:07 AM

                  I believe they come with a cord/AC thingy, just one more item to plug into my power strip.

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                    September 13, 2012 9:07 AM

                    Just not a fancy cradle for you to put it in to charge basically.

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                      September 13, 2012 9:09 AM

                      Exactly...but I'd rather have the cradle. The 3DS one has been nice to use.

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                        September 13, 2012 10:14 AM

                        My cats would end up knocking it over all the time, so I don't think it's for me.

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      September 13, 2012 8:00 AM

      And the world issued a collective...yawn.

      All joking aside, I see zero hype for this new system. I wonder if it'd already doomed?

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        September 13, 2012 8:01 AM

        Well wytefang says so, everyone cancel your preorders now.

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          September 13, 2012 8:03 AM

          Just put in a pre-order so I could cancel it. Done and done.

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          September 13, 2012 8:18 AM

          Well he isn't all wrong. I am at least one person that just isn't excited one bit. I really do hope that changes down the road.

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            September 13, 2012 9:48 AM

            I'm not excited about this console either. However, there is one thing that pisses me off....The new Monster Hunter game is going to be on this stupid console...GAH!!! Why not PS3!!! WHY DO THEY DO THIS TO ME!!!

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          September 13, 2012 11:49 PM

          Now yer learning, youngling.

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        September 13, 2012 9:45 AM

        Then why's the thread full? Hype, that's why and you are adding to it obviously the WiiU is on your mind.

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      September 13, 2012 8:11 AM

      Fuck the haters, I am excited and I think it is a pretty good deal. Also knowing that there are two launch titles I want sweetens the deal.

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        September 13, 2012 9:46 AM

        which ones

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          September 13, 2012 9:57 AM

          Well, at first I didn't realize that with the Deluxe Nintendo Land was included, so I guess just one title: Mario. I accept the fact now that I buy Nintendo systems only for first party titles.

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      September 13, 2012 8:43 AM

      [deleted]

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        September 13, 2012 8:48 AM

        Have you tried it? It doesn't work for every game, like Mario (completely useless). But games like Batman: Arkham City, it was awesome having an interactive map open in your hands the whole time. Also, it did allow for new multiplier possibilities in some of the Nintendoland mini games.

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          September 13, 2012 9:03 AM

          Most Shackers have NOT tried the Wii U, but this is the Internet, so we bitch and moan to fit in with the cool kids.

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            September 13, 2012 9:05 AM

            just like you have never tried it and yet are ruskisnipa'ing up these threads with your nintendoe eyes.

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              September 13, 2012 9:12 AM

              *shrug* I'm just willing to wait and see. And yes, I'm excited for it. Playing my friend's NES and saving up allowance from doing chores for nine months to buy my own, was my introduction to gaming. I'll always have a soft spot for Nintendo and give them the benefit of the doubt.

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                September 13, 2012 9:13 AM

                Plus, why WOULDN'T anyone be excited? We're gamers! New system! New games! This is what we do!

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                  September 13, 2012 9:16 AM

                  I would have agreed with you when I was 12, but as an adult, I can clearly see nintendo grasping at straws. I just can't get excited about a system that will feature mostly ports of other consoles games, and the Wii has killed almost all my good will towards nintendo that built up since I was a kid and got the original Nintendo Entertainment System with Rob the robot.

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                    September 13, 2012 10:10 AM

                    Yeah well I'm 12 years old and I'm very excited about it so deal with that.

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                    September 13, 2012 10:41 AM

                    That's just your own negative view of the Wii. What killed your good will built mine. I have nothing but fond memories of my parents finally giving games a chance, and having fun together. Not to mention the blast I've had with my baby who is now three. And adult parties too. Wii sports/resort are great and have given us a ton of laughs.

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                      September 13, 2012 12:43 PM

                      That is the untold truth the anti-social segment of gaming has never grasped. The wii is the most fun I've had with my friends gamers and non-gamers in the last decade. I have nothing but fond memories of the wii, and the social gathering it created:)

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                        September 13, 2012 2:29 PM

                        [deleted]

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                          September 13, 2012 3:19 PM

                          No question, no doubt, because as I've said before "hide and seek" is one of the top 3 games ever created. Not just video games, greatest games ever. Do not sleep on Nintendoland.

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                    September 13, 2012 12:11 PM

                    thats what was said about Wii (grasping). but then it made crazy money

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                    September 14, 2012 8:56 PM

                    Unless the next PS and Xbox do more than just prettier graphics, why get excited for them?

                    I'm sure the next Xbox will be all Kinect-ed up and maybe the next PS will be more Move focused.

                    I admit though, I am a huge Nintendo fan, I need my Zelda, Metroid and Mario fix every generation. Not to mention the possibility of another Xenogears and The Last Story.

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                  September 13, 2012 10:17 AM

                  This guy gets it.

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              September 14, 2012 6:41 PM

              how awesome is it that ruskisniper is now a verb

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          September 13, 2012 9:07 AM

          [deleted]

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        September 13, 2012 8:51 AM

        I think it's basically the same appeal as a Vita, strangely enough.

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          September 13, 2012 9:07 AM

          [deleted]

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            September 13, 2012 9:07 AM

            [deleted]

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              September 13, 2012 10:16 AM

              I think it was only unsuccessful in its playerbase and software (which may very well be true for Nintendo as well), as a piece of hardware I think we all can see how excellent it could be.

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            September 13, 2012 9:09 AM

            Well a lot of the PS3/Vita stuff specifically reminds me of what the Wii U is doing and playing a game on the Wii U tablet as opposed to the tv will pretty much be the same experience as playing a PS3 game on the Vita.

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      September 13, 2012 9:09 AM

      The nice pretty box makes me really want a Wii U, even though I really don't want a Wii U

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        September 13, 2012 11:20 AM

        Yeah, it looks really spiffy, that alone could gain quite a few sells.

        If it wants to have a fraction of the success of the Wii sales, though, it's going to have to be a fun for most people who play it. The Wii became so successful because of word of mouth about the system. People had a blast with Wii sports and a select few other things, and eventually their friends had to get ones for themselves. The question remains whether WiiU will have that appeal.

        I guess another important issue would be whether most Wii owners are still fond of the Wii. Are they regretting having the system sitting around and collecting dust, or are the memories from the early days more prominent in their minds?

        This is weird for me. I don't like the WiiU. The tablet is more of a cash in on a trend than an idea meant to push the art forward. At the same time, I want to see it do well, because Nintendo is just an awesome company that has brought me a lot of joy over the years, and I want them to stick around.

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      September 13, 2012 9:11 AM

      The system is a little more expensive than I hoped, however I'm more excited than before. Monster Hunter and Skylanders Giants is great addition.

      I've already played Rayman coop (w/choppp) and you know? It was really fun! We were have a blast trying to work through the level.

      I think much like the DS and Wii, this thing is going to be more fun (with the right software!!) than people are giving credit. Heck I thought the DS and Wii were lame when announced too.

      Waiting to hear the price for the Gamepad to seeder if the price really makes sense.

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        September 13, 2012 9:17 AM

        "seeder" lol


        Also I love the CODBLOPS 2 63 fps comment. :p

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        September 13, 2012 11:20 PM

        Those sound awesome, but I'm also really excited for Bayonetta 2. The original was an amazing game. I'd also like to see HD remakes of both No More Heroes games and hopefully a No More Heroes 3..

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      September 13, 2012 9:44 AM

      [deleted]

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      September 13, 2012 9:55 AM

      GREAT! Its EXACTLY what I thought the price range would be. Cant wait for November. Gonna be a great year.

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      September 13, 2012 9:58 AM

      £220 for the basic one in the UK, according to amazon.co.uk

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      September 13, 2012 10:38 AM

      [deleted]

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      September 13, 2012 10:51 AM

      [deleted]

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      September 13, 2012 10:53 AM

      The price is right in range with all the other console SKU's on shelves. No surprise. The WiiU will be the new system displayed among the other, older consoles. Plenty of time between now and then to advertise on all the kids' channels and televised sporting events, plus a block on the shopping networks. November 18 puts it in stores roughly a week before Black Friday.

      Will parents go out and purchase the WiiU during the holidays? Will Nintendo supply a sufficient amount of units this time around, or will they keep the numbers small?

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        September 13, 2012 11:31 AM

        Rumors were they were having manufacturing issues, we'll have to see if that turnedo out to be true or not.

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        September 13, 2012 1:17 PM

        300-350 for a system that will be obsolete in a year or so when the new consoles come out

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          September 13, 2012 1:38 PM

          a system that will be obsolete less powerful in a year or so

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            September 13, 2012 3:21 PM

            [deleted]

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              September 13, 2012 8:20 PM

              So by that logic, these current crop of consoles were obsolete about 5 something years ago when more powerful PC's showed up with DX10 features.

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                September 13, 2012 8:57 PM

                [deleted]

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                  September 13, 2012 11:10 PM

                  My point is that less powerful tech isn't necessarily obsolete. Wasnt the PS3 suppose to have more HP under the hood compared to the X360, but the X360 had a better balance between software, hardware and services? I know it's "cool" for mainstream gamers to hate on Nintendo, which is where word usage like obsolete come in, but I think as long as there are talented developers who can work properly with this hardware, which is trying to do something different and new, I don't think obsolete is the correct word. Maybe not best, but at least different.

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              September 14, 2012 4:38 AM

              Bayonetta 2, zombie U, the amazing 101 yeah ports?

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      September 13, 2012 8:57 PM

      Good shit! I think it'll be premium for me.

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      September 17, 2012 6:05 AM

      Is it back-compatible with Wii games?

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        September 18, 2012 6:17 AM

        Yup, as well as the peripherals, no Gamecube support anymore though (they got rid of the side ports).

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