Wedbush analyst Michael Patcher has been one of the Wii U’s toughest critics, and hasn’t exactly shared a lot of love for Nintendo in general. But he was apparently impressed with what Nintendo brought to its press event today.
In a series of tweets, Patcher praised the Wii U pricing and software lineup. Patcher was surprised with the types of games that were shown, even saying that it “was better than I expected”.
“I think Nintendo is pricing right, will capitalize on fervent fans who will buy at this price. 2013 alternatives become pretty compelling. I expect competition from lower priced 360/PS3 bundles, the Kindle Fire, iPad Mini. All could be competitive for mass market. The Wii U software lineup was better than I expected, third party support pretty solid, and Nintendo titles high quality.”
Pachter also weighed in on the manufacturing situation for Wii U:
“I expect global manufacturing of 1 million Wii U’s per month, starting now. That means 7 million produced and shipped through March. We should see roughly 30% of units shipped to U.S., Europe, Japan with 10% ROW. There are at least 2 million fervent fans in each geography.”
Nintendo will be offering European consumers a unique bundle for Wii U. The company is working with Ubisoft to release a package that includes ZombiU. This will be available at the console’s launch and includes a black Wii U system, the Wii U GamePad, a black Pro Controller and the game.
Nintendo gave a tentative Spring 2013 release window for Pikmin 3 and Wii Fit U during today’s Japanese Nintendo Direct. There was nothing more specific beyond that!
Launch games
Monster Hunter 3 G HD Ver.
NG3: Razor’s Edge
Musou Orochi 2 Hyper
Nintendo Land
New Super Mario Brothers 2
Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition
Assassin’s Creed 3
Zombi U
Batman: AC: Armored Edition
December:
Fifa 13
Mass Effect 3: Special Edition
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XII
Sports Connection
Speaking during Nintendo of America’s Wii U press conference in New York City, president Reggie Fils-Aime said more than fifty games are in the works for the console’s launch window. That window carries through March 2013.
Today Nintendo of America shared some very exciting news with North American videogame fans by announcing their November 18th ship date for their new Wii U console in the states. NAMCO BANDAI Games America is excited to let everyone know that we will have two titles on hand to satisfy your Wii U gaming appetite, first the bestselling game franchise ever will make its way to the Wii U with TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT ™2 Wii U Edition and secondly with the mother of all tank battle games… Tank! Tank! Tank!™
TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 is already hitting gamers with the largest roster of playable characters ever featured in TEKKEN franchise history and with innovative fight modes like Pair Play and Fight Lab. TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 Wii U Edition will contain Wii U exclusive features such as the newly announced Mushroom Battle Mode and Nintendo character outfits such as Mario and Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser, and Link’s to be worn by TEKKEN fighters. We’ll announce more modes and character outfits leading up to the launch of TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 Wii U Edition so stay tuned!
Tank! Tank! Tank! will give Wii U players the ability to blow each other to smithereens in the most zany tank battle game ever created. In Tank! Tank! Tank! players will battle it out amongst friends for tank supremacy or team up to fight giant monsters, stopping them from leveling everything in sight. Players will also have the ability to upload a picture of themselves so that their likenesses are featured in the game.
Source: Nintendo PR
Nintendo is giving potential Wii U consumers another reason to purchase the premium set in Japan. Each product will provide users with access to the Dragon Quest X Wii U beta.
Those who participate will be able to import beta data into the final product. The beta should go live soon after the Wii U comes out in Japan.
Nintendo director of strategic partnership Zach Fountain confirmed to Engadget that Nintendo TVii will support “all” cable and dish carriers in the US and Canada. The company isn’t excluding any of the big providers.
You’ll be able to “sign up” for the various TV services by typing in your account details on the Wii U.
Nintendo TVii will be available at the Wii U launch in the US and Canada. This is a North American-exclusive feature right now.
