Wii U discussion thread

• Launches: November 18
  Price: $299.99 for Basic Set / $349.99 for Deluxe Set
  
  
• Size: Approximately 1.8 inches high, 10.6 inches deep and 6.75 inches long.
  
  
• Weight: Approximately 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg)
  
  
• CPU: IBM Power-based multi-core processor
  
  
• GPU: AMD Radeon-based High Definition GPU
  
  
• Storage: Wii U uses an internal flash memory (8 GB with the Basic Set; 32 GB with the Deluxe Set) for data storage. It also supports SDHC memory cards and external USB storage.
  
  
• Media: Wii U and Wii optical discs. Wii U optical discs have a 25 GB data capacity.
  
  
• Networking: Wii U can be connected to the Internet via a wireless (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) connection. The console features four USB 2.0 connectors – two in the front and two in the rear – that support Wii LAN Adapters.
  
  
• Audio Output: Uses six-channel PCM linear output via HDMI connector, or analog output via the AV Multi Out connector.
  
  
• Video Output: Supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i. Compatible cables include HDMI, Wii D-Terminal, Wii Component Video, Wii RGB, Wii S-Video Stereo AV and Wii AV.
  
  
• Energy Efficiency: Wii U utilizes specially designed power-saving features to lower its energy consumption.
  
  
• Wii Compatibility: Nearly all Wii software and accessories can be used with Wii U.
  Wii U GamePad: Wii U™ GamePad

At a special event today in New York City, Nintendo announced the follow up to the hugely successful Wii console will be available on Sunday, November 18th.

The new console will be backwards compatible with all the games and accessories of its predecessor.

More than a year after Nintendo first showed the system to the public, the company has revealed that the North American launch date for the Wii U. Two of configurations will be available, with a Deluxe Set model with a 32 GB of memory and a Basic Set version with 8 GB. The deluxe set comes in black and will cost $349.99 and the white basic set will cost $299.99.

Those Wii U owners who shell out for the higher end Wii U get more than added gigabytes and accessories. They also get access to Nintendo Network Premium.

The Nintendo Network is the Kyoto-based game company's online service. It's supposed to be free, but earlier this summer Nintendo said it could not promise that the network would always be free.

So what's the Nintendo Network Premium? Is it a paid service, like PlayStation Network Plus?

From the sound of it, Nintendo Network Premium is actually a rewards program. If you are a Premium user and you purchase a game (or presumably DLC), you get 10 percent of your purchase in points that can be exchanged for a pre-paid redemption code to trade in for games or DLC.

Nintendo Network Premium will only be offered until December 2014. No word on how Wii U owners who buy the no frills "basic" version can join Nintendo Network Premium.

Spoiler:

Destructo wrote:Saw some Black Ops II gameplay on it. I think It's cool how one person can play the game on the gamepad alone and another can play on the tv.

Albatross wrote:You can use any external USB storage device with it.

Be careful when you pause a Wii U game - it just might cost you.

Nintendo's new system features an 'automatic shutoff' feature, which turns off the system "if there has been no input for a set period of time," according to the system's manual. Here's the catch - a lack of input is still counted when a game is running and paused. We know - we had the system shut off on us when we left the system alone and came back after 90 minutes. System - off. Game progress - lost. By default, this option is activated, and appears to be set to activate after an hour, as we painfully learned.

All is not lost, however. This is able to be adjusted within the system options. You can turn the feature off entirely, or simply adjust the range of 'idle time' the system needs to register. All in all it's not a big deal - unless you don't know it exists. Then you might find yourself replaying a significant portion of a game, as we just did.