With only 11 days until the launch of the Wii U in the States, it was time that Nintendo blow the lid off all the console has to offer. So to help facilitate an easy transition between the arguably bare-bones features of the Wii and the now robust, competitive ones for Wii U, Nintendo has put together some handy instructional videos that showcase all that comes in the Wii U retail box, explain how to set up a Wii U user account, and demonstrate the new video chat feature.
It’s some pretty basic stuff – especially the unboxing – but nonetheless there are some important pieces of information covered in each of the 3 videos. The first (seen above) walks gamers through the process of unboxing the Wii U and explains all that comes packaged in with the Premium 32GB Set.
Now, most gamers are not going to be unboxing their Wii U in quite the same fashion as Iwata – especially not while wearing white gloves – but nevertheless it’s quite fascinating to see each item revealed in such a precise manner, and presented like Simba in The Lion King.
As we’ve already detailed, the Wii U Premium Set comes with a black Wii U console (of course), one game pad, a stand for the game pad, a stand for the Wii U, a charging stand for the game pad, associated cables including an HDMI cable, and a copy of Nintendo Land (not pictured). This is, however, the more robust retail option and retails for $349.99. The relatively less expensive Basic Set ($299.99) comes with a white Wii U, has no console or game pad stand, and doesn’t feature a charging base for the game pad.
The second video focuses on the ‘Account’ feature of the Wii U, which allows up to 12 players to create their own user account for personal use. The associated ‘User’ will be attached to the console via their respective Mii and while logged in they will be able to access their unique game and save data, bookmarks for the Wii U’s browser, and play history.
After setting up a personal User Account players must then register themselves for a Nintendo Network ID so they can access the Miiverse, Nintendo eShop, and video chat functions. Essentially, the Network ID is your personal identity when playing in another game’s multiplayer space. It’s standard online account set-up, but a first for Nintendo — Nintendo Network ID’s are the new friend codes.
Nintendo Network IDs will also be used to help players access their account while away from their Wii U, typically whilst using a mobile device. Once again, this type of feature has been available for a while on other consoles, but it’s new to Nintendo.
When players fire up their Wii U for the first time they will be greeted by a rather large update that the video claims will load the Internet Browser, Miiverse, and the Nintendo eShop onto the console. No mention of important secondary apps like Netflix or Hulu, though, but we’re sure they are in the pipeline.
And finally is a video walkthrough of the Wii U’s video chat feature – Wii U chat – which functions as gamers might expect. The Wii U uses the game pad’s camera as a web cam and allows them to chat with another user on their Television. However, with the added touch capability of the Wii U game pad users can also draw messages for their contact to see.
Gamers are still a few days away from getting hands-on time with the Wii U console, but getting helpful explanations regarding the Wii U, Accounts, and the video chat will provide a leg up on day one. Hopefully you were able to pre-order one before they started selling out.
What do you think of the implementation of the User Accounts and the Nintendo Network ID? Would you ever use the Wii U chat feature?
The Nintendo Wii U launches on November 18, 2012.
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Source: Nintendo
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Ahh, nothing like the unboxing of a new system. I hope Game Rant will be getting one to review
It really seems like Nintendo is trying to play catch up with today’s video game market, but they aren’t adding enough new features to sell it for me. Their “Accounts” are nearly identical to the 360′s, except the 360 doesn’t limit the console to twelve users. More that they have in common includes the browser bookmarks, play history, save files, etc.
In addition, the video chat feature is something that has been available on the 360 and PS3 for many years. The only new feature is being able to draw, but if you want that, use your tablet or phone instead. Tablets, phones, and laptops are the reasons that the 360 and PS3 video chat feature go unused by many people, so why would it be any different for Nintendo?
My point is that Nintendo isn’t putting out enough new features or content for me to want to buy a Wii U at launch. Perhaps later, when they begin to construct new features and form their own identity in the online gaming world, then I will consider investing in the console, but I can’t justify spending $300+ on a console when I can already do everything it offers with the devices I currently own. One good thing that can be said about the Wii U is that I’m glad they finally got rid of the friend code system. Why anyone ever thought that would be a good idea, I will never know.
theres a real easy remedy to this situation. dont buy a wii u. how about that? if all your gonna say is “its the same as the competitors” than dont freaking buy the system. i buy nintendo for the exclusives that no other company can offer. anything third party i can run on my pc so the other consoles dont concern me. mgs is about the only other console specific game i buy and now thats on pc as well.
Excuse me, but I believe this is America, and I’m entitled to my opinion just as much as the people who actually want the console on launch day. There are several other people on this site who dislike the Wii U, but all they say is “screw the Wii U, I’m not buying it,” but they don’t give valid reasons. You have to admit that at least I’m not talking bad about the console without providing personal opinions of why I feel that it isn’t worth my money. If you don’t like my opinions, don’t respond, or at least respond with some form of educated discussion rather than trying to silence my opinion.
Also, I never said that “it’s the same as the competitors,” I simply said that all of the online functions can be found on at least one of the other consoles, but Nintendo talks about them like they’re brand new and have never been seen before, when that’s only true for Nintendo consoles, but they don’t do a very good job of convincing people with PSN or XBL to use NN. I’m not even complaining about the console as a whole, but more specifically their online service. I’m not entirely sure that you read my entire post, but I also stated I would probably buy a Wii U when they begin adding original features to their online service.
Like yourself, I also would buy Nintendo for the exclusives, but there are no exclusives that catch my eye in the launch window. There are only two that look like they may be worth playing, one of which is New Super Mario Bros. U, which is essentially the same game from almost thirty years ago with co-op and HD graphics, and ZombiU, which I don’t know enough about to give a reason not to buy it.
Why own a PS3 or a 360? You can do everything they offer with a PC. However, I’m guessing you probably own one or both. Why?
Nintendo consoles are for Nintendo games. All the other stuff is just icing. If a person doesn’t like Nintendo games, there really is no reason for them to buy a Wii U. If a person likes Nintendo games, they can’t wait for next Sunday. I can’t wait for next Sunday.
Why would you want to own a PS3 or 360? The same reason you want to own a Nintendo console: the exclusives, which you can’t get on PC. Forza, Halo, Gears, Heavy Rain, Uncharted, God of War, all games worth investing in a console to play. Also, I love Nintendo games, and I’m not looking forward to next Sunday, because there are no decent Nintendo games coming out on Sunday. When a new Zelda, Super Mario, Super Smash Bros., Metroid, Star Fox, or possibly Kirby releases, then I’ll want to buy it, Until then, I don’t see the point. I love Nintendo just as much, if not more, than anyone else, but I won’t invest $300+ into a console for a couple of lame exclusives and some third party games that I already own for other consoles.
I guess your definition of “lame” differs from mine. I think SMB, ZombiU, and Epic Mickey 2 are great launch titles. You can also add in Tank!Tank!Tank! and some awesome looking eShop titles, coming in the following days too. I’ll have plenty of gaming (and an empty wallet) to tide me over until Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101, Lego City, Aliens and Rayman drop.
You make the argument that it’s not worth it to buy a Wii U NOW, but it will be in the future. That doesn’t make any sense to me. What’s the difference if you buy it now or later? The only difference I can see is that you would miss out on some fun gaming in the process. I find it hard to believe that there are NO games in the launch window that you would enjoy playing, enjoy playing enough to warrant a purchase of a console you plan on purchasing anyway. It’s going to be the same system. You are still buying it and if you’re still buying it, then what exactly is the problem? If the problem is there are no titles at launch that you would like to play, however you may pick one up later on, than just say that.
The problem is that there are no titles at launch that I would like to play, and I may pick one up later on. I did say that, almost word for word.
Yes you did. But, only after a bunch of gobbledygook about online services, video chat, unneeded comparisons to other consoles, etc. When in actuality, the major impedance for your purchase at launch is the lack of a “Zelda, Super Mario, Super Smash Bros., Metroid, Star Fox, or possibly Kirby”.
That’s not the only major impedance. The online service is also what is keeping me from buying one. If they were offering something truly revolutionary for consoles, such as 32 vs. 32 online multiplayer, a gaming DVR that records all footage of gameplay, or something like that, then I’d be on it day one. Their online service offers the same features my current consoles offer, which is where the “unneeded comparisons” come in. I was stressing the fact that I already have a console that can do everything it can, so it was hardly unneeded. The reason I said that I would wait until more exclusives release is because it has nothing else going for it for me. If it had a one-of-a-kind online service, I’d be getting it day one, but because nothing really stands out as special for me, I’ll wait. Also, the “gobbledygook” you are referring to is what the article was actually about.
“I was stressing the fact that I already have a console that can do everything it can, so it was hardly unneeded.”
It IS unneeded when you say you purchase a console for it’s exclusive games.
“Why would you want to own a PS3 or 360? The same reason you want to own a Nintendo console: the exclusives, which you can’t get on PC.”
You just keep running around going back and forth!
“such as 32 vs. 32 online multiplayer, a gaming DVR that records all footage of gameplay, or something like that, then I’d be on it day one.”
You can DO all that on a PC. So why choose a console over a PC? (We already had this discussion!) You said for it’s EXCLUSIVES! DING! And since there are NO exclusives you want to play on the Wii U, you are not buying one at launch. HENSE, the main reason being you are not buying a Wii U at launch is there are no exclusives you want to play!!!
And if the Wii U did have 32 vs. 32 or a DVR, or some other “one-of-a-kind online service”, what GAMES would you buy for it “day one” if you don’t like any of them?! My guess would be NONE, you would WAIT until there was something you did like before making the purchase.
When I said “gobbledygook” I was referring to your long speech about why you are not purchasing a Wii U. When after you boil it ALL down you can sum it up in one sentence…”The problem is that there are no titles at launch that I would like to play, and I may pick one up later on.” That’s all.
Why do you demand that I justify my reasoning for not picking up the console? I don’t have to justify or explain anything to you. The fact is there is not one reason I’m not buying it, but several. Sure, no decent exclusives at launch is a big reason, but it’s hardly the only reason. If it had 32 vs. 32 or a DVR, I would at least consider getting it at launch with Black Ops 2, which is not an exclusive, but would be fun to play big team games on. I originally stated my opinion of why the console isn’t worth my money at launch, it isn’t your place to tell me that my reasoning is wrong. You seem to think that I can only have one reason to not get the console, but it’s deeper than that. I can list more than 20 reasons I’m not buying it, and I can’t think of any reason to buy it at launch.
Its funny how everyone comparing the wii u and nintendo to microsoft, sont, etc. Nintendo is a completely different company from the others (goal wise).
How are they a different company “goal-wise?” Their goals are the same as any other company’s: to make money.
Or PCs or tablets or smartphones…
It’s none of the above. It’s a Wii U. It’s a specifically designed machine whose main function is to play Nintendo games. If taken at it’s face value, it’s not to complicated, it is what it is. Nintendo designed and manufactured this THING. They sell us this THING. This THING provides a specific function and service. It’s up to us to decide if this THING fulfills a certain need or a want. If it does, good, buy it and enjoy it. If it doesn’t, don’t buy it. There are lots of other things you can purchase that may fulfill your specific needs.
It’s unrealistic and unfair to compare it to anything else. I mean sure, it’s a video game system, so it is easy to group the lot together and make certain comparisons. But, it’s also a toy. And you can’t compare a Wii U to a Transformer or a Nerf football. Just like you can’t compare the football to the Transformer. They are all toys, but they serve specific functions and fulfill different wants and needs. Sure you can throw the Transformer, someone could catch the Transformer and feasibly, you can kick the Transformer. However, the EXPERIENCE isn’t the same as with the football. And good luck trying to transform a football. It’s the same thing with the Wii U. Sure, it can do a lot of the same things as a PS3 or a tablet. But the experience you get from it is not the same. And good luck playing Zelda on a PS3.
When you step back and just look at the Wii U on it’s own merits, see it as it’s own independent entity, realize WHAT it is, and come to comprehend it IS what it IS, it starts to become clearer.
You talk as if it’s impossible to compare the Wii U to any other video game console when it’s entirely possible. To be able to compare any two things, it must have at least one thing in common. There is a long list of things that the Wii U has in common with current consoles, so it’s perfectly reasonable to compare it with something else. The reason you don’t compare a Wii U, an action figure, and a football are because they have nothing in common aside from being used for entertainment, but it’s different entertainment. Wii U is for people who want to sit in front of a TV and play video games, an action figure is for entertainment through imagination, mostly for children, and a football is for athletic and energetic entertainment. None of them have anything in common. However, a Wii U, a 360, and a PS3 have many things in common. For instance, they’re all video games, they all require you to be in front of a TV, they all have controllers, they all have online services, and the list goes on and on. The fact that it shares these similarities with other consoles makes it comparable, and it’s ignorant to think otherwise.
You can compare anything to anything. But just because you can doesn’t mean you have to or should.
Why shouldn’t I? That’s how you decide on purchases, or anything really. You look at your options, you compare the two, and you decide on the one you think is best. I have to say, your arguments are getting a lot weaker and less intelligent as this conversation carries on.
Heaven forbid someone compare one video game system to another. Seriously? I still think the Wii U is going to be searching for demand.
Besides blind fanboys (cough EastoftheAnduin cough), who can be counted upon to purchase anything from Nintendo, I do not believe they have anywhere near Wii levels of purchasers.
I also don’t think they’ve gone far enough to win back the niche segment of the market that they lost to Microsoft & Sony.
Now if you want to talk comparisons, let’s talk the most inevitable comparison, how poorly the Wii U will sell in comparison to the Wii. That discussion is going to play real well in a certain board room in Japan.
Unfortunately I don’t believe I got on the waiting list soon enough to even get it week one. But it shall be glorious when I get he call!