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.

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08:54

We've now posted our summary of what we know so far - https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/09/wii_u_arrives_in_japan_on_8th_december

08:23

Thanks, we're going to go write all this up into a summary now!

08:21

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.

08:20

That's around $405 for the Premium, and $335 for the Basic

08:20

Whoosh, and that's it.

08:19

8th December, 31,500 Yen premium, 26,250 Yen basic.

08:19

8th December, 2012 Japanese release 31,500 YEN

08:18

Nintendo Network Premium, it's an optional online option with a monthly sub.

08:17

Nintendo Network Premium like PlayStation Plus, discount of games?

08:17

Cheap bundle - 8GB, Bigger Bundle - 32GB

08:17

Wii U "Home Type" and "Premium", one with 8GB vs 32GB

08:16

Info on package. Two bundles we believe. GamePad included.

08:15

13,440 for a extra GamePad!

08:15

Lots of stands! All sold separately.

08:15

Accessories galore, including an official GamePad stand.

08:14

Wii U Pro Controllers and Wii Remote prices up now.

08:14

(Wii Sports wan't bundled in Japan, if you remember)

08:14

Both are Wii U launch titles. Nintendo Land NOT bundled, it seems.

08:13

NintendoLand won't be bundled

08:13

Oh, that was quick, now Nintendo Land. Funky music included.

08:13

New Super Mario Bros. U awesomeness has started.

08:11

Miiverse, look at the Mii characters go!

08:11

Concept illustrations are showing off the GamePad usage. They resemble plane safety notices, with added gaming cool.

08:10

Looks like a heavy discount on Wii. Not surprising.

08:09

Lots of talk of Wii's legacy, we believe. All concept info so far.

08:07

BREAKING: A Mario game on Wii U

08:07

Retro Mario hopping on GamePad. That's cute...

08:05

Wii backwards compatibility, of course. WiiWare and Virtual console as well.

08:05

Guided tour of the GamePad now

08:05

Looks like BLACK might be the primary colour?

08:05

We think that's around the same as the current Wii, slightly bigger?

08:04

Size dimensions, start measuring your storage space

08:04

75w whilst on, 40w whilst off power usage

08:04

25GB discs, we think (it's in Japanese, remember)

08:02

Talk about graphics, memory. Possible 2GB on system, definitely 1GB.

08:02

2GB "main memory"

08:01

Pikmin still looks super slick.

08:01

Iwata has started, it's a black Wii U, yay!

08:00

OK, We're here and we're ready.

07:59

Good morning folks, it's almost time...

[source ustream.tv]