Nintendo Wii U cost, availability

DAILY DOT COM - Video game giant Nintendo announces the launch date and pricing of its next game console, the Wii U.  Nintendo first announced plans for the Wii U last year, but it hadn't disclosed the price or availability date until Thursday.

The company certainly has a knack for changing the course of video games.  It was a crowded scene in New York City for the Wii U preview.  You can watch the event here , on Nintendo’s website.

It incorporates a 6.2 inch, 16.9 aspect ratio LCD touch screen, as well as traditional button controls and two analog sticks.

The GamePad also includes motion control, a front-facing camera, a microphone, stereo speakers, a stylus and a sensor bar.  It’s powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and weighs approximately 1.1 pounds.

The Wii U is set to hit stores November 18th.  The basic set will be offered in white, with a suggested price tag of $300.  The deluxe set, which includes higher storage capacity and additional accessories, retails for $350.

Nintendo says the new system can revolutionize not only video game play, but also the way people find and watch T-V.

"Our goal is to disrupt the video space the way that Nintendo has historically disrupted the gaming space," said Reggie Fils-Aime, president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America.      

He added that the service "continues our mission of creating compelling entertainment experiences and doing it in surprising ways."

The service also has the ability of capturing scenes from live TV and displaying them on the controller.  Viewers can then comment on the scenes and share that on Twitter or Facebook.

The Wii U is the successor to the hugely popular Wii video game system, which debuted in 2006.  During the launch window, more than 50-games will be available for the Wii U…that includes many of the classic games, from "Mario" to "Call of Duty."

Pre-orders are being accepted at local GameStop stores.  The Bel Air mall location confirmed that it started taking pre-orders Thursday afternoon.  Customers with a Power Rewards card can pre-order a Wii U for $25.  The offer lasts until Sunday, September 16.

Incidentally, it was also announced at the event that Bayonetta 2 is coming to the Wii U.  Not only that but Sega has opted to make it an exclusive for the console.