E3 2011: Wii U Pricing Details & Release Date

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We knew it was coming for ages now and Nintendo finally delivered. It’s not the Wii 2, it’s not the Wii HD and it’s not the Nintendo Nintendo either. It’s the Wii U, still a strange name but one we have to get used to in the following months.

We showed you some of the specs and features of the Wii U, or at least of the new controller, but what about pricing details and launch dates? In a deja-vu move for such a big conference like E3 we’ve seen Nintendo, lead by Reggie Fils-Aime, build up lots of hype around its products, and especially around the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U. And while the former is already selling in stores, the later will be available at some point in 2012, although an exact launch window has not been mentioned yet. In other words, it was a typical E3 announcement.

In fact Nintendo failed to actually disclose that much information about the Wii U, and I’ll have to say I’m rather puzzled by the new product announced today. Would I want a tablet-like device to play games on it, make phone calls, and connect it to the TV whenever I feel like it, all made by Nintendo?

As for pricing we should see the Wii U sport a competitive price in order for customers to have a tough time deciding what new console to buy. At the same time, and considering some of the features we’ve seen during Nintendo’s E3 media event today, the Wii U is going to offer a bunch of advanced perks, not to mention better looking games, which means it’ll cost Nintendo more than a buck or two to make the Wii successor.

But let’s hear it from you, folks, how much would you be willing to pay for the Wii U once it does hit stores next year?