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WiiU

Predictions for Sept. 13 Wii U Event

by Patrick Barnett, Justin Berube, Danny Bivens, Nicholas Bray, James Charlton, Michael Cole, James Dawson, Mike Gamin, Andy Goergen, Pedro Hernandez, Josh Max, Zachary Miller, Tyler Ohlew, Carmine Red, Neal Ronaghan, Ariel Ruff, and Minoru Yamaizumi - September 8, 2012, 11:33 pm EDT
Total comments: 31

The entire NWR staff predict Wii U price, date, pack-ins and other possible megatons!

The release of the Wii U is closing in fast and Nintendo is set to release more information about their next generation console this week for North America. The NWR staff has banded together and have put their best foot forward in predicting the price point, release date, pack-ins and other features or megatons that will be revealed later this week. By the end of the week, we'll definitely know tons more about the console than we do now, but how far off were we in our predictions? Is there anything that you think we forgot to mention or think about? Be sure to sound off below in the comments with predictions of your own!

Staff name: James Charlton
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: No.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad only.
Release date: November 18 (USA/JP) December 7 (EUR).
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMBU, Aliens Colonial Marines, Black Ops 2.
System features you want to see highlighted: Adding friends online, voice chat, NFC features, eShop.
Additional megatons: Burger King deal is for NFC toys that unlock content in 1st party games, download versions of games are $5 cheaper on eShop.

Staff name: Ariel Ruff
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: Yes. (Nintendo Land)
Pack-in controllers: GamePad Only
Release date: November 25. Yea it's random... Deal with it!
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMBU, ZombiU, Project P100, Pikmin 3, Super Smash Bros. (Hey we can dream)
System features you want to see highlighted: eShop, Friends List, Unknown Features, streetpass & spotpass functionality (if it exists)
Additional megatons: There is an unannounced game coming from Nintendo, Social Network is bigger than we thought, Free pro controllers for all.

Staff name: Carmine Red
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: No.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad Only
Release date: November 18 in the USA. As late as possible to manufacture hardware, but before the all-important Black Friday shopping craziness. November in Japan and December in most/all of PAL-land.
Games you want to see highlighted: Black Ops 2, Dragon Quest X, Sega eShop ports, 007 Legends
System features you want to see highlighted: Online friends list functionality, achievement-like system, Wii U Virtual Console
Additional megatons: Retro project teaser, Smash Brothers teaser, Monster Hunter announcement, or JRPG announcement

Staff name: Neal Ronaghan
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: No.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad Only (but Wii Remote Plus comes with Nintendo Land)
Release date: November 18 in NA. Release in other regions shortly after
Games you want to see highlighted: Nintendo Land, Pikmin 3, Skylanders Giants, Project P-100, ZombiU, Retro's game
System features you want to see highlighted: Wii U Virtual Console (GameCube?!?), The boot-up screen, eShop, Messaging system
Additional megatons: Retro Studios reveal, DQX Wii U tease, Smash Bros. tease

Staff name: Mike Gamin
Price: $249.99
Pack-in game: Download code for one game from Nintendo Land. (See additional megatons for more details)
Pack-in controllers: Gamepad AND pro controller
Release date: November 18 in NA
Games you want to see highlighted: Nintendo Land, Pikmin 3, NSMBU (specifically showing online features)
System features you want to see highlighted: Wii U Virtual Console and transfers from both Wii and 3DS (one purchase for all systems), Online system, specifically social stuff not necessarily online play.
Additional megatons: Nintendo Land divided into micropayments for each game.

Staff name: James Dawson
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: No.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad Only
Release date: November 18 US release, later in Europe, possibly earlier in Japan
Games you want to see highlighted: New Super Mario Bros. U, Nintendo Land, Project P-1000, Dragon Quest X, and Pikmin 3
System features you want to see highlighted: eShop, account system, online, and friends list
Additional megatons: Online play announced for Nintendo Land, Retro's game revealed, and a new 3D Mario title announced

Staff name: Zachary Miller
Price: $349.99
Pack-in game: Nintendo Land, but downloadable.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad
Release date: November 18
Games you want to see highlighted: Pikmin 3, NSMBU
System features you want to see highlighted: Online infrastructure, eShop, Miiverse
Additional megatons: Retro's next game, a new Metroid game for eShop

Staff name: Nicholas Bray
Price: $499.99 (AUS)
Pack-in game: No.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad Only
Release date: December 6 (Aus)
Games you want to see highlighted: Nintendo Land and NSMBU
System features you want to see highlighted: eShop.
Additional megatons: eShop from day one, Virtual Console gets at least one GC game.

Staff name: Andy Goergen
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: No.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad Only
Release date: November 18
Games you want to see highlighted: Pikmin 3, ZombiU
System features you want to see highlighted: Account system (DRM restrictions), Friends List Interaction
Additional megatons: Gamecube games on Virtual Console.

Staff name: Minoru Yamaizumi
Price: ¥29,800 (JPN)
Pack-in game: No. Except for gimicky mini games like Face Raders.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad Only
Release date: October 25 (JPN)
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMBU, P-100, Pikmin 3, Zombie U.
System features you want to see highlighted: eShop, Virtual Console and transfer of games you downloaded on Wii.
Additional megatons: Like early PS3 upconverts PS2 games, Wii games look better on Wii U! HD remake of Wind Waker. DQX released on the Wii U launch day.

Staff name: Danny Bivens
Price: $299.99 (US),¥29,800 (JPN)
Pack-in game: No.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad Only
Release date: NA: November 18. JPN: October 27 (Sat)
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMBU, Pikmin 3, Assassin's Creed 3
System features you want to see highlighted: Adding friends online, voice chat, NFC features, eShop, VC game transfers
Additional megatons: Smash Bros. U teaser, GCN Virtual Console

Staff name: Josh Max
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: No.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad Only
Release date: November 18 for NA, October 25 for JP
Games you want to see highlighted: Pikmin 3, Dragon Quest X, Nintendo Land
System features you want to see highlighted: Adding friends online and eShop
Additional megatons: Smash Bros. teaser and an easy to use/navigate eShop that holds all my beloved Nintendo games of the past

Staff name: Michael Cole
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: Nintendo Land.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad Only
Release date: November 11
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMB U, rayman legends. Pikmin 3 when released (post-launch)
System features you want to see highlighted: eShop, VC, online play w/ voice chat
Additional megatons: $10 free for eShop for early adopters.

Staff name: Tyler Ohlew
Price: $279.99
Pack-in game: No.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad Only
Release date: November 18
Games you want to see highlighted:  NSMBU, Pikmin 3, Project P-100
System features you want to see highlighted: eShop, Miiverse, Wii system transfer, Channel-based UI
Additional megatons: Retro Studios project teaser, certain Wii games playable on tablet, price drop on Wii Remote Plus and nunchuks.

Staff name: Justin Berube
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: Nintendo Land.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad, Wii Remote Plus
Release date: November 18
Games you want to see highlighted: Pikmin 3, New Super Mario Bros. U, Nintendo Land, Project P-100.
System features you want to see highlighted: Wii U Interface, eShop, Miiverse, Miiverse app (3DS/Phones), full online interface.
Additional megatons: New downloadable stages/attractions for New Super Mario Bros. U and Nintendo Land coming in the future. New Nintendo Wii U eShop title. Maybe a tease for a smaller Nintendo franchises coming to Wii U before summer 2013.

Staff name: Patrick Barnett
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: Nintendo Land.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad Only
Release date: November 18
Games you want to see highlighted: Pikmin 3, New Super Mario Bros. U, Nintendo Land, Project P-100, Assassins Creed 3
System features you want to see highlighted: Wii U Interface, eShop, Miiverse, online capabilities
Additional megatons: Retro's Game announcement and a one new character tease for Super Smash Bros. 4.

Staff name: Pedro Hernandez
Price: $299.99 (anything above that will be killing it)
Pack-in game: Yes (I am betting on Nintendoland being that game)
Pack-in controllers: I think it will have the gamepad, a Wii Remote controller and a nunchuck.
Release date: November 18
Games you want to see highlighted: The Namco developed Super Smash Bros (a stretch, but hey, a guy can dream)
System features you want to see highlighted: Their online infrastructure
Additional megatons: Third party characters in the first teaser trailer for SSB

Talkback

I have high hopes, but low expectations. I think when it comes to much anticipated Nintendo events, we would all do well to heed the words of Joshua and keep in mind that hype is "A strange game. The only winning move is not to play."

NeifirstSeptember 09, 2012

Considering that Gamestop has had Nintendoland (among many other games) available for pre-order separately for awhile now, I think the chances of it being a pack-in are incredibly low.  My guess is $249.99 with 1 Gamepad and several demos pre-loaded onto the system.  No matter what, it's mine on day 1 though.  There's nothing more fun in videogames than launch day!

DonnyKDSeptember 09, 2012

It'll announce the price, the release date, will talk more about Miiverse, will show gameplay footage of NSMBU and Pikmin 3.

I'm keeping my expectations at this level so I can't be disappointed.

SarailSeptember 09, 2012

Stage Name: Ryan Clay
Price: $349.99 (U.S. release - possible larger bundle)
Pack-in game: NintendoLand
Pack-in controllers: GamePad and Pro Controller (having the Pro guarantees multiplayer for games like BlOps or ZombiU)
Release date: October 28 (U.S. release)
Games you want to see highlighted: ZombiU (no Reggie zombie face..ugh), Aliens: Colonial Marines, NSMBU (name change, please), Darksiders II, FIFA/Madden '13, and Project P-100
System features you want to see highlighted: eShop, online networking and structure (friends list, adding friends, etc.), and Virtual console transferring
Additional megatons: Coaxial input - cable box/dvr capabilities...working with cable providers?, sneak peeks at Retro's project and the current form of Smash Bros. 4

TeaHeeSeptember 09, 2012

Price: $250
Pack-in game: No- maybe free download, but it will be something smaller or from their old catalog that has been reworked for Gamepad functionality.  I am convinced Nintendoland is a retail game
Pack-in controllers: GamePad
Release date: November 18.
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMBU, Project P100, Metroid and Balloon game from Nintendoland, Retro Game
System features you want to see highlighted: eShop, (hopefully they start with a lot of the Wii VC transferred over) Miiverse, Camera functionality
Additional megatons:  3DS connectivity, Retro game

TeaHeeSeptember 09, 2012

I am also hoping they say something like, "Let's check out some upcoming games," and they show a sizzle reel of previously unannounced 3rd party games.

I deliberately steered clear of this one, due to my defeatist stance on Nintendo Australia's product pricing, and the pricing of games and media in general here. I don't think it will retail for less than $500 AUD minimum. Games will assuredly be upwards of $100 each. Virtual Console games, particularly for GameCube, will probably cost around $20 each.

I would like to hope that Nintendo Land is a pack-in, but I don't really see it happening.

SonofMrPeanutSeptember 09, 2012

I have to kill Yamaizumi's dream right now:  http://www.1up.com/news/wii-games-wont-look-nicer-wii-u

Killer_Man_JaroTom Malina, Associate Editor (Europe)September 09, 2012

As with every system launch in the UK, the prices for the Wii U will be all over the place. I expect retailer-specific bundles with random assortments of accessories, and I also anticipate sudden reductions from certain places (most likely supermarkets) at the last minute to undercut the GAMEs, HMVs and Blockbusters. If I had to lay my finger on an RRP though, I'll go with £219.99, which is £40 more than what the Wii launched for.

BlackNMild2k1September 09, 2012

I want to play

Forum name: BlackNMild2k1
Price: $299.99 | $349.99
System Color: White | Black
Pack-in game: Nintendo Land Demo | NL Demo & Zombi U
Pack-in controllers: gMote | gMote & Pro Controller
Additional Pack-In: 8GB SDcard 
Release date: Late Oct/Early Nov
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMBU, Nintendo Land, Project P-100, AC3, Zombi U, Madden 2013, PES 2013, DQX, DarkSiders 2, Unannounced 1st & 3rd Party games
System features you want to see highlighted: NFC, previously unannounced Controller feature, Universal Acct System, Online & Social Features demonstrated while actively playing a AAA retail game (Video/Voice chat, friends list, Notifications, Achievements, Miiverse, etc etc)
Additional megatons: Netflix on TV while Gaming on gMote Multi-Tasking, VC and capable eShop games are cross platform play (buy once, play on 3DS or Wii U), Basic Cable Box Functionality (TVguide & TV on the controller), Retro new/revived IP teaser, R* GTAV teaser, MGS Unlimited teaser



**Unrelated 2013 Megaton - Homebrew brings Dolphin Emulator to Wii & GC on Wii U**

red14September 09, 2012

Maybe by this time next year I'll actually have a legit reason for buying a Wii U. This lineup is just utterly boring.

tendoboy1984September 09, 2012

Quote from: Killer_Man_Jaro

As with every system launch in the UK, the prices for the Wii U will be all over the place. I expect retailer-specific bundles with random assortments of accessories, and I also anticipate sudden reductions from certain places (most likely supermarkets) at the last minute to undercut the GAMEs, HMVs and Blockbusters. If I had to lay my finger on an RRP though, I'll go with £219.99, which is £40 more than what the Wii launched for.

Since when did Blockbuster do console launches? They're just a movie rental store, and I thought they were going bankrupt?

tendoboy1984September 09, 2012

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

I want to play

Forum name: BlackNMild2k1
Price: $299.99 | $349.99
System Color: White | Black
Pack-in game: Nintendo Land Demo | NL Demo & Zombi U
Pack-in controllers: gMote | gMote & Pro Controller
Additional Pack-In: 8GB SDcard 
Release date: Late Oct/Early Nov
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMBU, Nintendo Land, Project P-100, AC3, Zombi U, Madden 2013, PES 2013, DQX, DarkSiders 2, Unannounced 1st & 3rd Party games
System features you want to see highlighted: NFC, previously unannounced Controller feature, Universal Acct System, Online & Social Features demonstrated while actively playing a AAA retail game (Video/Voice chat, friends list, Notifications, Achievements, Miiverse, etc etc)
Additional megatons: Netflix on TV while Gaming on gMote Multi-Tasking, VC and capable eShop games are cross platform play (buy once, play on 3DS or Wii U), Basic Cable Box Functionality (TVguide & TV on the controller), Retro new/revived IP teaser, R* GTAV teaser, MGS Unlimited teaser



**Unrelated 2013 Megaton - Homebrew brings Dolphin Emulator to Wii & GC on Wii U**

I highly doubt GTA5 will be on the Wii U. Nintendo consoles aren't good enough for a true ("hardcore") 3D GTA game...

DiscostewSeptember 09, 2012

@SonofMrPeanut

I get the feeling that Nintendo's idea of "upscaling" isn't what we think upscaling is. Reggie mentions Wii games are built around specific hardware, but DS games were in the same situation with the 3DS, yet the 3DS was able to "upscale" them. So, imo, Wii games won't be "rendered" in 1080p, but that doesn't stop them from what we consider "upscaling" to 1080p. They'll probably look better, but not nearly to the degree that rendering them at 1080p would accomplish.

Killer_Man_JaroTom Malina, Associate Editor (Europe)September 09, 2012

Quote from: tendoboy1984

Quote from: Killer_Man_Jaro

As with every system launch in the UK, the prices for the Wii U will be all over the place. I expect retailer-specific bundles with random assortments of accessories, and I also anticipate sudden reductions from certain places (most likely supermarkets) at the last minute to undercut the GAMEs, HMVs and Blockbusters. If I had to lay my finger on an RRP though, I'll go with £219.99, which is £40 more than what the Wii launched for.

Since when did Blockbuster do console launches? They're just a movie rental store, and I thought they were going bankrupt?

I have no idea about their financial situation, but at least over here, they sell both DVDs and games (including hardware), and not just for rental. I was in my local Blockbusters not that long ago and there were advertising for Wii U pre-orders.

Also, the figure I gave - £219.99 - is pretty optimistic. I'm well aware that they might have the gumption for go higher, but in light of where the PS3 and 360 are priced, as well as the market realities the 3DS encountered early in it's life cycle, I'm hoping for something quite reasonable like that.

BlackNMild2k1September 09, 2012

Quote from: tendoboy1984

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

I want to play

Forum name: BlackNMild2k1
Price: $299.99 | $349.99
System Color: White | Black
Pack-in game: Nintendo Land Demo | NL Demo & Zombi U
Pack-in controllers: gMote | gMote & Pro Controller
Additional Pack-In: 8GB SDcard 
Release date: Late Oct/Early Nov
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMBU, Nintendo Land, Project P-100, AC3, Zombi U, Madden 2013, PES 2013, DQX, DarkSiders 2, Unannounced 1st & 3rd Party games
System features you want to see highlighted: NFC, previously unannounced Controller feature, Universal Acct System, Online & Social Features demonstrated while actively playing a AAA retail game (Video/Voice chat, friends list, Notifications, Achievements, Miiverse, etc etc)
Additional megatons: Netflix on TV while Gaming on gMote Multi-Tasking, VC and capable eShop games are cross platform play (buy once, play on 3DS or Wii U), Basic Cable Box Functionality (TVguide & TV on the controller), Retro new/revived IP teaser, R* GTAV teaser, MGS Unlimited teaser



**Unrelated 2013 Megaton - Homebrew brings Dolphin Emulator to Wii & GC on Wii U**

I highly doubt GTA5 will be on the Wii U. Nintendo consoles aren't good enough for a true ("hardcore") 3D GTA game...

I'll take that as a sarcastic comment, but think what you want.
GTA V was the one game that mentioned all with all the rest of the original 01.net rumors about Wii U that have already proven to be true. So I will hold out hope that Reggie made it happen (finally) and that GTAV will have a definitive console version launched on Wii U sometime in early 2013.

Hacker alias: Shaymin
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: Not as such, but voucher for NintendoLand download.
Pack-in controllers: Gamepad only
Release date: November 18 (NA)/November 30 (EU)/December 1 (JP)
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMBU, AssCreed 3 and Trine 2
System features you want to see highlighted: System friend code, achievement system with on/off switch, eShop from day 1, the fact that it's a system and not just the tablet (though the MSM won't care)
Additional megatons: Major WiiU project from Monolith, games from Eastern third parties that will be coming West, Steam access.

Mop it upSeptember 09, 2012

Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: No.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad only.
Release date: November 18
Games you want to see highlighted: Nintendo Land, something new, Dragon Quest X (Not gonna happen)
System features you want to see highlighted: Online play
Additional megatons: Four GamePad support!... Yeah right. Online play.
...Yeah right.  GameCube on VC.

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)September 09, 2012


RE: Upscaling old Wii games.


If you look at what they've done in the past for backwards compatibility, the legacy is both good and bad.


SNES: Play GB games in black and white or with weird colouration (plus special borders for some games).
GameBoy Colour: Play GB games in black and white or with weird colouration.
GameBoy Advance: Play GB games ether horribly stretched in widescreen format or play it as-is.
GameCube :Play GBA games stretched (GB player).
Wii: Play GC games as-is. VC games as-is.
Wii U: Play Wii games as-is (I'd even go as far to say they'd force 480p to avoid all complications).


So yeah, the history shows, little to no effort as far as "improving" older games, although they do support older systems with backwards compatibility better than other companies IMO.


For Wii U I would expect absolute minimum support for Wii and GC:
*Wii pointer compatible with GamePad for old Wii games, unlikely
*Upscaling to 1080, no way
*Remastered VC games, highly unlikely. If they do - it's an additional purchase.
*USB adaptor for GCN controllers, never (3rd party might though).
*Original Classic Controller support for Wii U games, maybe some at first
*GameCube on VC, oh please god! (and make them work with Pro controller too)

NeoStar9XSeptember 09, 2012

Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: Yes. Nintendo Land for the white version. Zombi U for the black version.
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad only.
Release date: November 11 (USA).
Games you want to see highlighted: Assassin's Creed 3, Nintendo Land (single player content), Black Ops 2, Pikmin 3, and Zombi U.
System features you want to see highlighted: Operating system, voice chat, NFC features, eShop.
Additional megatons: Retro Studio's game will be teased. Something from Square-Enix not Dragon Quest X related. Perhaps a collection for Final Fantasy XIII (all content up to this point so the new game in the series will get a release on all three HD systems).

0-WattAlex Wanschura, Contributing WriterSeptember 10, 2012

Ah, what the heck, I've written one article for the site, I might as well pop in a guess.

Price: $299.99, although rumors of 250/300/350 bundles are around
Pack-in game: Yes (Nintendo Land via eShop) or demos available in the system
Pack-in controllers: One GamePad, but if it is >$300, it also comes with a Wii Remote+
Release date: November 18th in the US, December JPN/EU
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMBU, Nintendo Land, Lego City Undercover, Skylanders Giants, eShop games
System features you want to see highlighted: eShop (VC, DL full games, originals), NFC demo, and actual OS System features.
Additional megatons: Not expecting megatons (COD:BO2, NFS:MW and F-1 All-Stars), but expect either Nintendo-published eShop content or one lower-level retail game to release mid-2013.  My personal megaton would be Retro's game announced or Smash tease.

plufimSeptember 10, 2012

Price: $299 US, 30000 Yen,  299, $399 AUS
pack-in: NintendoLand
pack-in controllers: a gamepad, wiiremote plus and nunchuck
Release date: November 18 US, November 29 Japan, December 6 Australia/Europe


Microtons: $10 eShop card included to bolster initial eShop support. Gamecube games supported, Wind Waker day one.
Megatons: Retro game shown, Q2 2013 launch. DLC worlds for NSMBU. Nintendo games still $50, no bullshit "HD tax".
Unlikely but it'd be nice... tons: Some Wii games to be supported in HD via small patches (UI cleanup, etc) - possibly at a minor cost (~$2). Unified account allows some games to be played on both WiiU and 3DS, anyone with copies of the few games that appear on both get a minor eShop rebate. WiiU golf demo from 2011 has become Mario Golf U.

PlugabugzSeptember 10, 2012

Quote from: Killer_Man_Jaro

Quote from: tendoboy1984

Quote from: Killer_Man_Jaro

As with every system launch in the UK, the prices for the Wii U will be all over the place. I expect retailer-specific bundles with random assortments of accessories, and I also anticipate sudden reductions from certain places (most likely supermarkets) at the last minute to undercut the GAMEs, HMVs and Blockbusters. If I had to lay my finger on an RRP though, I'll go with £219.99, which is £40 more than what the Wii launched for.

Since when did Blockbuster do console launches? They're just a movie rental store, and I thought they were going bankrupt?

I have no idea about their financial situation, but at least over here, they sell both DVDs and games (including hardware), and not just for rental. I was in my local Blockbusters not that long ago and there were advertising for Wii U pre-orders.

Also, the figure I gave - £219.99 - is pretty optimistic. I'm well aware that they might have the gumption for go higher, but in light of where the PS3 and 360 are priced, as well as the market realities the 3DS encountered early in it's life cycle, I'm hoping for something quite reasonable like that.

I would lean towards £229.99 personally. Something about 230 seems to flow better.

mustbeburtSeptember 10, 2012

Forum name: mustbeburt
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: NintendoLand
Pack-in controllers: 1 GamePad, 1 WiiMotePlus
Release date: November 11 (USA)
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMBU, Madden 13, Scribblenauts Unlimited
System features you want to see highlighted: GAMES, eShop, Wii game compatibility, Horsepower, additional gameplay mechanics utilizing the GamePad

Additional megatons: New 3D Mario game called "Super Mario U-niverse" (or Super Mario WiiUniverse);  Confirmation of regular sales/specials on eShop; Multi-device, cross-platform user account

tendoboy1984September 10, 2012

User Name:  tendoboy1984

Price:
$249 - Basic package, console & GamePad with no game
$299 - Console & GamePad with NintendoLand (disc or eShop download code)
$349 - Console & GamePad with New Super Mario Bros. U and a Wii Remote

Launch:
November 4 (Japan)
November 11 (North America)
November 18 (Europe)

Expected Announcements:
- Nintendo Network and Miiverse functionality (multiplayer, messaging, video chat, etc.)
- Unified friend list with actual user names
- Multimedia functions & non-gaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus, music player, etc.)
- Ability to play all Virtual Console games on GamePad
- New consoles added to Virtual Console (Saturn, Dreamcast, GameCube, Neo Geo Pocket, Game Gear, Game Boy, GBA)

Surprise Announcements:
- Smash Bros. Wii U & 3DS teaser, with Mega Man (Classic or X) announced
- Smash Bros. Dojo website is relaunched to promote next game
- Teaser for 3D Mario game (that's hopefully open-world, like Mario 64 or Mario Sunshine)
- Ability to take screenshots or video of anything displayed on the TV (built into the OS)
- New "Mario vs Donkey Kong" game for Wii U eShop (level editor intact)
- Metroid Prime Trilogy HD remake (not just a port, a complete remake built to take full advantage of the Wii U's HD graphics, like the recent Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD remake)
- Reggie is replaced by someone who actually knows the gaming industry, and who isn't afraid to localize niche games
- Pokemon Stadium/Colosseum HD, with every single Pokemon ever created
- Ice Climbers reimagined as a duo trying to survive their trek up Mount Everest
- Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge doesn't suck

HeyItsMeSeptember 11, 2012

I'm just gonna say that the price is gonna shock everyone. I believe that there are going to be multiple skus at launch but the cheapest one is going to be 250. I think. I mean if Nintendo makes it 299.99 and Sony or Microsoft end up dropping there price. Then Nintendo would be kinda of screwed in terms of price. Consumers would easily buy a PS3 or 360 for $250 then a new 300 dollar system.

TJ SpykeSeptember 11, 2012

Would a consumer want an old system or a new one that is much better? If Nintendo can make it clean that Wii U is the next gen system, they should be fine.

tendoboy1984September 11, 2012

Quote from: HeyItsMe

I'm just gonna say that the price is gonna shock everyone. I believe that there are going to be multiple skus at launch but the cheapest one is going to be 250. I think. I mean if Nintendo makes it 299.99 and Sony or Microsoft end up dropping there price. Then Nintendo would be kinda of screwed in terms of price. Consumers would easily buy a PS3 or 360 for $250 then a new 300 dollar system.

Having multiple SKU's means Nintendo can compete at any price, high or low. It worked for Microsoft (Xbox 360), Apple (iPod, iPad), and Sony (PS3).

BlackNMild2k1September 13, 2012

bump.

who was the closest?

someone tally up the points :D

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)September 14, 2012

Well I think most of us got the $299, one GamePad, Nov 18, no pack-in bit correct.
But no one predicted a second SKU WITH a pack-in, at least on staff...

mustbeburtSeptember 14, 2012

Quote from: mustbeburt

Forum name: mustbeburt
Price: $299.99
Pack-in game: NintendoLand
Pack-in controllers: 1 GamePad, 1 WiiMotePlus
Release date: November 11 (USA)
Games you want to see highlighted: NSMBU, Madden 13, Scribblenauts Unlimited
System features you want to see highlighted: GAMES, eShop, Wii game compatibility, Horsepower, additional gameplay mechanics utilizing the GamePad

Additional megatons: New 3D Mario game called "Super Mario U-niverse" (or Super Mario WiiUniverse);  Confirmation of regular sales/specials on eShop; Multi-device, cross-platform user account

i totally bombed here, but i kinda got the "Confirmation of regular sales/specials on eShop" if you count the new digital purchase point system that comes with the Deluxe bundle.

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