wii-u Wii U launch set for November 18

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Nintendo-focused outlet cites Japanese retailer memo with global release dates for tablet-based console.

The Wii U will hit shelves at the height of the holiday season, according to a report from Wii U Daily.

The Nintendo-focused site is crediting an internal e-mail circulating among staffers at Japanese retailer Media Land with the news that the Wii U will debut in North America on Sunday, November 18. The report indicates that the following week will see the system arrive on shelves in Japan.

Nintendo announced a holiday release window for the Wii U in January. The new tablet-based console has been confirmed to launch in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia before the year is out

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Report: Wii U Release Date Leaked

Japanese release expected a week later.

Nintendo's next console Wii U will launch in the US on Sunday, 18th November, according to a leaked internal memo from a Japanese retailer.

WiiUDaily obtained the information, describing it as an "email circulated among staff at a game store in Japan, the Akihabara-based Media Land, one of the most popular video game shops in Tokyo." The message also states that the console launches one week later in Japan. A European release date isn't mentioned.

Although unofficial at this point, the dates are in line with the release of Nintendo's last console, the Wii, which launched on November 19, 2006 (also a Sunday). It came out in Japan two weeks later, and in Europe, three weeks later.

So far Nintendo has only confirmed that the console would be released sometime during Autumn 2012, but no dates were specified.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

i still want to know the price

[Jose_49]

Very probable. Let's see how games gear up and how good this device will do. Hope it's far way more powerful than the 360 and PS3, so it can hold on with the future competition .

[AbandonedTrolley]

So they have announced a release date, just no price or actual specs yet?

[Brandon H Supervisor]

So they have announced a release date, just no price or actual specs yet?

technically this release date was leaked ssooooooo......

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

my guess is $299

[ahhell]

I bet that the Wii-U gets it official unveiling at E3.

[S00N3R FR3AK]

Some other outlets don't want to lend any credibility to this Wiiu daily place. It seems like a likely date because the Gamecube released on the same day but for now most likely just a guess.

[~Johnny]

I bet that the Wii-U gets it official unveiling at E3.

They officially unveiled it last E3, but yeah, they've said they'll show off nearly everything about it this E3. They still probably won't comment on the specs though, as they rarely ever do these days.

[Blackhearted]

They officially unveiled it last E3, but yeah, they've said they'll show off nearly everything about it this E3. They still probably won't comment on the specs though, as they rarely ever do these days.

They might. The only reason they didn't say the wii specs is cause they wanted to try to hide the fact that it was an overclocked gamecube with some extra ram. Unless the hardware is something disappointing(like equal to 360 in power), i don't see why they'd hide it this time around.

[myxomatosis]

This is the first Nintendo console I won't buy at launch :o

[threetonesun]

They might. The only reason they didn't say the wii specs is cause they wanted to try to hide the fact that it was an overclocked gamecube with some extra ram. Unless the hardware is something disappointing(like equal to 360 in power), i don't see why they'd hide it this time around.

I'm thinking this is going to be an overclocked Wii :unsure:

I mean, HD Wii gaming will be enough to get these out the door, but I am curious as to what they show at E3.

[notuptome2004]

This is the first Nintendo console I won't buy at launch :o

and Why not

Edit: this si from Wiki on specs

CPU

The Wii U CPU is designed by IBM. It is described by IBM as an "all-new, Power-based microprocessor",^[64] the processor is a multi-core design manufactured at 45 nm with an eDRAM cache. Although neither Nintendo nor IBM has revealed detailed specifications, such as the number of cores, clock rate, or cache sizes, references to the chip containing "a lot" of eDRAM and "the same processor technology found in Watson"^[65] indicate that the processor shares some characteristics with IBM's POWER7 processor, which powers the Watson computer system and incorporates a large L3 eDRAM cache.

The Wii U CPU will be produced by IBM at their 300 mm semiconductor manufacturing facility in East Fishkill, New York.^[64]

[edit]Technical specifications

Nintendo released technical specifications of the Wii U hardware,^[66]

Processors:

• CPU: IBM Power Architecture-based multi-core 45 nm microprocessor based on the POWER7 architecture found in the Watsonsupercomputer.^[3][67]
  
• GPU: Custom-designed AMD Radeon HD^[5] similar to the Radeon R700 architecture.^[6]
  

Storage:

• Internal flash memory, expandable via SD memory cards and USB hard disk drives^[68]
  
• Slot-loading optical disc drive compatible with 12 cm "proprietary high-density optical discs" (25GB single layer capacity)^[69][70] and 12 cm Wii optical discs
  

Ports and peripheral capabilities:

• SD memory card slot (supports SDHC cards)
  
• USB 2.0 ports (2 at front of console, 2 at rear)
  
• Sensor Bar power port
  
• "AV Multi Out" port
  
• HDMI 1.4 out port^[59]
  

Controller:

• Built-in 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope
  
• Speakers and Microphone
  
• Front-facing camera
  
• IR Sensor strip
  
• 6.2 inch (15.7 cm) 854?480 FWVGA 16:9 resistive touchscreen
  
• Two Circle Pads and one D-pad
  
• Stylus
  
• Select, Start, Home and Power buttons
  
• A/B/X/Y face buttons, L/R bumper buttons and ZL/ZR trigger buttons
  
• Rumble
  
• Controller sync button
  
• Bluetooth
  
• NFC^[62]
  

Note: The Wii U is also compatible with the Wii Remote, Wii Nunchuck, Wii Classic Controller, and the Wii Balance Board.^[71] It has been announced through Nintendo Network that the Wiimote will still be used not only for Wii games, but as a new way to combine it with the experience brought by the tablet controller.^[72]

Video:

• 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576i (PAL Only), 480p, or 480i, standard 4:3 and 16:9 anamorphic widescreen
  
• "AV Multi Out" port supporting composite video, YP_BP_R component video, S-Video (NTSC consoles only), RGB SCART (PAL consoles only) andD-Terminal (Japan only)
  
• HDMI 1.4 out port supporting stereoscopic 3D images.^[59]
  

Audio

• "AV Multi Out" port. Six-channel PCM linear output through HDMI
  

[BumbleBritches57]

That tablet like controller is straight stupid.

[~Johnny]

I'm thinking this is going to be an overclocked Wii :unsure:

I mean, HD Wii gaming will be enough to get these out the door, but I am curious as to what they show at E3.

It's already confirmed to be more powerful than an Xbox 360, so it's far more than an overclocked Wii.

They might. The only reason they didn't say the wii specs is cause they wanted to try to hide the fact that it was an overclocked gamecube with some extra ram. Unless the hardware is something disappointing(like equal to 360 in power), i don't see why they'd hide it this time around.

They didn't annouce the specs for the 3DS either, they'd rather people concentrate on the experience rather than the actual raw specs. Which knowing Nintendo's current philosophy aren't going to be mind blowing, but they'll still allow us to see affordable, and great experiences.

[threetonesun]

It's already confirmed to be more powerful than an Xbox 360, so it's far more than an overclocked Wii.

I've read varying reports, from as fast to twice as fast as an Xbox 360. So, yes, it's not a tarted up Wii, but it's probably not some powerhouse either, and it's also driving the screen on that controller, so it's hard to gauge what "twice as fast as an Xbox 360" will really get you.

I'll probably get one anyway. I enjoyed my Wii for a good amount of time, then sold it for what I paid for it. :laugh:

[notuptome2004]

That tablet like controller is straight stupid.

Really well check out these videos then on it just 2 examples of how the screen can be used for game play and or augmented reality

[The_Decimator]

and Why not

Edit: this si from Wiki on specs

CPU

The Wii U CPU is designed by IBM. It is described by IBM as an "all-new, Power-based microprocessor",^[64] the processor is a multi-core design manufactured at 45 nm with an eDRAM cache. Although neither Nintendo nor IBM has revealed detailed specifications, such as the number of cores, clock rate, or cache sizes, references to the chip containing "a lot" of eDRAM and "the same processor technology found in Watson"^[65] indicate that the processor shares some characteristics with IBM's POWER7 processor, which powers the Watson computer system and incorporates a large L3 eDRAM cache.

The Wii U CPU will be produced by IBM at their 300 mm semiconductor manufacturing facility in East Fishkill, New York.^[64]

[edit]Technical specifications

Nintendo released technical specifications of the Wii U hardware,^[66]

Processors:

• CPU: IBM Power Architecture-based multi-core 45 nm microprocessor based on the POWER7 architecture found in the Watsonsupercomputer.^[3][67]
  
• GPU: Custom-designed AMD Radeon HD^[5] similar to the Radeon R700 architecture.^[6]
  

Storage:

• Internal flash memory, expandable via SD memory cards and USB hard disk drives^[68]
  
• Slot-loading optical disc drive compatible with 12 cm "proprietary high-density optical discs" (25GB single layer capacity)^[69][70] and 12 cm Wii optical discs
  

Ports and peripheral capabilities:

• SD memory card slot (supports SDHC cards)
  
• USB 2.0 ports (2 at front of console, 2 at rear)
  
• Sensor Bar power port
  
• "AV Multi Out" port
  
• HDMI 1.4 out port^[59]
  

Controller:

• Built-in 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope
  
• Speakers and Microphone
  
• Front-facing camera
  
• IR Sensor strip
  
• 6.2 inch (15.7 cm) 854?480 FWVGA 16:9 resistive touchscreen
  
• Two Circle Pads and one D-pad
  
• Stylus
  
• Select, Start, Home and Power buttons
  
• A/B/X/Y face buttons, L/R bumper buttons and ZL/ZR trigger buttons
  
• Rumble
  
• Controller sync button
  
• Bluetooth
  
• NFC^[62]
  

Note: The Wii U is also compatible with the Wii Remote, Wii Nunchuck, Wii Classic Controller, and the Wii Balance Board.^[71] It has been announced through Nintendo Network that the Wiimote will still be used not only for Wii games, but as a new way to combine it with the experience brought by the tablet controller.^[72]

Video:

• 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576i (PAL Only), 480p, or 480i, standard 4:3 and 16:9 anamorphic widescreen
  
• "AV Multi Out" port supporting composite video, YP_BP_R component video, S-Video (NTSC consoles only), RGB SCART (PAL consoles only) andD-Terminal (Japan only)
  
• HDMI 1.4 out port supporting stereoscopic 3D images.^[59]
  

Audio

• "AV Multi Out" port. Six-channel PCM linear output through HDMI
  

Specs don't make a console. Heck, even if those specs have great graphics, it doesn't make a console. (Not to be rude.) 'Course, I like the Wii U, but I'm just saying...

[Salutary7]

Really well check out these videos then on it just 2 examples of how the screen can be used for game play and or augmented reality

I'm sure they'll also bring a ton of new 1st and 3rd party games to E3 to demonstrate even more mechanics. This should be one of Nintendo's better showings at the convention. Definitely looking forward to it.

[nominak]

I think the idea of a tablet controller will really be beneficial to gaming. Just imagine having a game where there is no HUD cluttering your television and it's all on the screen in your hands.

[Blackhearted]

I think the idea of a tablet controller will really be beneficial to gaming. Just imagine having a game where there is no HUD cluttering your television and it's all on the screen in your hands.

Kinda like ds/3ds games(which tend to put hud stuff on the other screen) but with bigger screens.

[Vandalsquad]

I think the idea of a tablet controller will really be beneficial to gaming. Just imagine having a game where there is no HUD cluttering your television and it's all on the screen in your hands.

Kind of like all games where you press Triangle or Y to bring the hud up for 2 seconds then disappears again. Instead of looking down from your TV screen. This will be implemented in games at launch until devs don't try anymore or the 720 and PS4 launch.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

So who' buying it for 300 USD? :p