(Image source: TechRadar)

 

BY JOE CHIODO
 


It’s game on to see which major gaming console will take the lead as the next video game giant.  

At a news conference Thursday, Nintendo announced the latest details about its newest system, the WiiU. News 12 has the release date and more.

“N ovember 18th in the United States just in time for the holiday season. The new WiiU console will cost gamers around 300 dollars for the basic version. A deluxe version will set you back an added 350 dollars.”

The WiiU will be Nintendo’s first major gaming console release since the original Wii in 2006. But don’t throw away those old Wii Games -- they’ll still work on the newly updated system.

The device will have a new touch-screen controller called the WiiU gamepad, completely revolutionizing the abilities of the Wii.   CNET explains how the new controller creates...

“... Nintendo TVii ... designed to help users find and watch television shows, movies, and sports broadcasts. The offering comes with Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Instant Video support.”

Nintendo Tvii may be the key to catching up with one of the Wii’s biggest rivals.  The Washington Post says Nintendo America president explained the features are...

“... meant to keep the Wii U at the center of the living room … The service runs up against Microsoft’s Xbox Live service, which the company announced over the summer will eventually be accessible on almost any tablet via an app.”

It seems there is one downfall though worrying consumers — the amount of memory on the device.  

The basic white 300 dollar model comes with 8 gigs and the upgraded black 350 dollar version will give you 32 gigs.  But Engadget warns it’s not as lacking as it seems.

“The Wii U allows for expansion of memory via USB, whether that memory be Flash or otherwise ... with the continuously dropping price of memory, there was little reason to offer pricing for the Wii U … tied to an evolving hardware model.”

The device is already available for pre-order through GameStop.