Watch the Japanese Wii U Announcement Here
Posted by Thomas Whitehead
And we're off
And so it begins, the first event of this Wii U preview day. It all starts in Japan, appropriately, and this presentation is only set to last 20 minutes. We expect basic details in this one, such as the hardware price, release date, maybe Miiverse info and the possibility of bundled software like Nintendo Land. It'll also be in Japanese, without subtitles.
That said, Nintendo may surprise us. There's already a second Japanese Nintendo Direct scheduled alongside the European and North American equivalents later today, so we're not sure what's coming.
Still, we're excited, we hope you're excited too. Watch it below, and enjoy our live text underneath.
Live Text - Updates will load here automatically, no need to refresh the page.
We've now posted our summary of what we know so far - http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/09/wii_u_arrives_in_japan_on_8th_december
Thanks, we're going to go write all this up into a summary now!
In summary:
Launches in Japan on 8th December, with two separate bundles with different hard-drive memory, Nintendo Network Premium sees Nintendo enter the world of paid subs for enhanced online, similar to PlayStation Plus.
That's around $405 for the Premium, and $335 for the Basic
Whoosh, and that's it.
8th December, 31,500 Yen premium, 26,250 Yen basic.
8th December, 2012 Japanese release 31,500 YEN
Nintendo Network Premium, it's an optional online option with a monthly sub.
Nintendo Network Premium like PlayStation Plus, discount of games?
Cheap bundle - 8GB, Bigger Bundle - 32GB
Wii U "Home Type" and "Premium", one with 8GB vs 32GB
Info on package. Two bundles we believe. GamePad included.
13,440 for a extra GamePad!
Lots of stands! All sold separately.
Accessories galore, including an official GamePad stand.
Wii U Pro Controllers and Wii Remote prices up now.
(Wii Sports wan't bundled in Japan, if you remember)
Both are Wii U launch titles. Nintendo Land NOT bundled, it seems.
NintendoLand won't be bundled
Oh, that was quick, now Nintendo Land. Funky music included.
New Super Mario Bros. U awesomeness has started.
Miiverse, look at the Mii characters go!
Concept illustrations are showing off the GamePad usage. They resemble plane safety notices, with added gaming cool.
Looks like a heavy discount on Wii. Not surprising.
Lots of talk of Wii's legacy, we believe. All concept info so far.
BREAKING: A Mario game on Wii U
Retro Mario hopping on GamePad. That's cute...
Wii backwards compatibility, of course. WiiWare and Virtual console as well.
Guided tour of the GamePad now
Looks like BLACK might be the primary colour?
We think that's around the same as the current Wii, slightly bigger?
Size dimensions, start measuring your storage space
75w whilst on, 40w whilst off power usage
25GB discs, we think (it's in Japanese, remember)
Talk about graphics, memory. Possible 2GB on system, definitely 1GB.
2GB "main memory"
Pikmin still looks super slick.
Iwata has started, it's a black Wii U, yay!
OK, We're here and we're ready.
Good morning folks, it's almost time...
[via ustream.tv]
#1
felipus said:
Good Morning!
My body is ready!!
#2
DkFluttershyGuy said:
I came to watch this Nintendo Direct and only got a stupid T-shirt.
#3
MariosLoveChild said:
Are we all sitting comfortably then.
#4
kyuubikid213 said:
I'm here... Mmmmmnh.
#5
MariosLoveChild said:
Boo, I've got a blank screen
#6
Radixxs said:
I didn't know this was on now...
#7
Erica_Hartmann said:
Eh, guess I'll watch....my stomach is settling down anyways, giving me horrible pain a while ago. >_>
#8
kyuubikid213 said:
Pretty psyched for the Wii U!!
#9
kyuubikid213 said:
DudeSean's gonna be upset if he doesn't say he can turn off the other people in Miiverse.
#10
SirSmugleaf said:
OMG! I just went on this page casually and it was LIVE!!!!
#11
chewytapeworm said:
Shame I have to go to work in a minute...
Bleh.
#12
Shadow100 said:
I don't understand Nintendo Network Premium o_o
#13
Erica_Hartmann said:
So...no release info on Pikmin 3?
#14
Aviator said:
Good release date. Good price (if the conversion is the same).
Nintendo may get my money...
#15
citizenerased said:
You guys couldn't have found someone who speaks Japanese...?
#16
kyuubikid213 said:
I guess I'm getting the 8GB bundle. I can expand the memory via SD cards, right? Besides, since NintendoLand isn't bundled (as of yet...) I want to be able to get a few games along with the system. $249.99 here I come!
#17
brooks83 said:
8 and 32 GB models? Really?
#18
juned3429 said:
@chewytapeworm Join The Club
#19
citizenerased said:
Given Nintendo's horrible track record when it comes to bang-for-your-buck online products, I'm likely to stay far away from the Premium Network. But need more details for now. They seemed to hint at a 10% discount for download titles? That's really low.
#20
chewytapeworm said:
@juned3429 Well, it's over now. Didn't miss a whole bunch by the sound of it!
Think I'll stick to the basic version, for now...
#21
citizenerased said:
Download prices are clearly still remaining the same as shop prices for now. That's kinda pathetic when you compare it to their competitors.
#22
dew12333 said:
Lets hope that's a worldwide release or were all screwed till next year.
#23
kyuubikid213 said:
@dew12333 Yeah. For the Americas, you've got to hit the rich folks in their wallets around Christmas time. Once that window passes, you've officially got "PSVita Syndrome" where no one is buying your product because we're looking at the outlandish price instead of trying to make our loved ones happy.
#24
Radixxs said:
Impressive launch line-up so far. NSMBU and Nintendo Land.
Please note: this comment is laced with sarcasm. In fact, there is so much sarcasm within this single statement that it is dripping. Dripping with sarcasm.
#25
kyuubikid213 said:
I won't be here for Reggie's, so I hope he brings the price down a bit. Also, I hope I can expand the memory by SD cards in a significant way. Then, I'm shooting for the cheap bundle. I can run to Kmart and buy another 8GB for nothing.
#26
MariosLoveChild said:
i really hope thats gonna be a worldwide launch on the 8th. If they miss christmas here in the UK (and Europe), they will really have a hard time. Not even nintendo can be that stupid can they?
#27
Void said:
Assuming they cut the price for America, that would probably be around $150 for the GamePad. ¢_¢
#28
19Robb92 said:
Summary:
#29
rjejr said:
Wow, it's like a real console launch. Black premium white basic is genius, never saw that coming. Maybe people who own an Xbox360 did. Memory can't be the only difference though, but I'm not awake yet.
#30
19Robb92 said:
@rjejr
Memory isn't the only difference.
Here's what the Premium pack offers that is not included in the Basic package: