Nintendo Direct: Wii U News!

The Nintendo Direct event that happened this morning in the US and Japan has a lot of people buzzing about the system, the software, and what's included at launch. Here's what went down:

Launch date is Novemer 18th for North America! That's a few weeks earlier than Japan. Interesting.

They nailed down the price: $299.99 for the 8GB version.

And $349.99 for the 32GB version (which includes more memory and some stands, bundled with the game NintendoLand).

No question- the better offering is the black 32GB version. They're softening the "over $300" threshold by adding a game, and that should work out for sales in North America... especially with the software lineup that they were teasing. 

Japan is getting an incredible bundle on launch day:

That's the Monster Hunter 3G HD bundle that will guarantee big sales in Japan. Also included in the Japanese 32GB bundle is a beta invite for the Dragon Quest X Wii U version. Yikes. Nintendo is trying to launch this console right. 

The software lineup is getting better and better (about 50 games between November and March of next year). Here are a few:

New Super Mario Bros. U

This game looks fantastic. The backgroungs look incredible, like some Roger Dean album cover, and are a big improvement over previous Mario games. Game play looks similar to the other "New" Mario games, but just packed with more content and multiplayer fun. Folks have complained about Nintendo reusing assets for this game as part of a money grab, but everything about it seems fun and great.

NintendoLand

This game will be bundled in the US and looks like a fun multiplayer game. The Metroid part of the game looked really great.

Bayonetta 2 is a Wii U exclusive:



Wow. Can't believe that Nintendo snatched this game away from Microsoft and Sony.

Pikmin 3



Skylanders Giants



This game will be HUGE for Activision. Toy sales alone are projected in the billions of dollars. Adding a Wii U version to the lineup is just another reason for people to pick up a Wii U in the coming months. With the Gamepad I'm sure that this game will have even better controls and interaction with the characters.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Announced!



This is the US version of Monster Hunter Tri G HD that is coming to Japan this winter. We'll see this game in March of 2013. Just in time for my birthday! The game looks like it adds broader online content and will give the West a new MonHun title (finally). Monster Hunter Tri G is also coming to 3DS next spring.

And the list continues:

• LEGO City: Undercover
• Mass Effect 3
• TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 Wii U Edition
• NINJA GAIDEN 3: Razor's Edge
• Game & Wario
• Aliens: Colonial Marines
• Assassin's Creed III
• Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition
• Scribblenauts Unlimited

And others...

AND ... Monolith Soft, the creators of Xenoblade Chronicles are making a totally new title for the Wii U. AWESOME.

Not mentioned: 

Launch day titles, cost of a second Gamepad, Pro controller price, price drops on Wii remotes, or the price of games. I'm guessing games will be between $49.99 and $59.99. Who knows.

I didn't even mention the TVii thing that Nintendo introduced. Control your TV, watch Netflix, Hulu, and whatever from the Gamepad. There will be additional content to view on the Gamepad while you watch tv. Interesting? Yes. I'm sick of Dish TV. Will there be a DVR type thing? I don't know. My internet kept bugging out during that part of the event.