Wii U FAQ

This Wii U FAQ represents the most frequently asked questions about the new Nintendo Wii U console, games, and hardware. We have gathered the questions and done our best to answer them in detail. If you have some questions, please post them on comment section at the bottom of this page, and we’ll do our best to answer them.

What is Wii U?

The Wii U is a next-generation video game console from Nintendo. It has an innovative controller with a tablet, which makes for a lot of interesting gameplay possibilities.

When will Wii U be released?

The Wii U will be released in Fall of 2012 in Japan, North America and Europe. The release date has been pegged to November 18, 2012 in North America, followed by Japan and Europe one week later.

How much will the Wii U cost?

The Wii U price is unknown at this point, but it has been rumored that Nintendo will launch the Wii U with a $299 price tag. Games for the Wii U are expected to cost $60 like most current generation console games.

How powerful is the Wii U?

The Wii U will be about 50% more powerful than current generation consoles, the Xbox 370 and PlayStation 3. The Wii U will be powered by a quad core IBM CPU and a graphics chip from AMD. Check out the full Wii U system specs.

Can the Wii U play Blu-ray and DVD movies?

The Wii U will have a disc drive that is based on Blu-ray and DVDs, but it will not be able to play Blu-ray nor DVD movies. However, the Wii U will be able to stream movies from services like Netflix and Hulu.

Does the Wii U support multiple Wii U controllers?

Nintendo has said that the Wii U can technically support multiple Wii U controllers, however, at launch only one Wii U controller is planned to function with the console.

What is the Wii U controller NFC chip?

The NFC chip — Near Field Communication chip — offers a new way for games to interact with real life objects that have embedded NFC technology. For instance, toys with NFC chips can be paired to the console and “unlocked” inside the game.

Does the Wii U controller include a stylus?

Yes, the Wii U controller comes with a stylus which can be used to trace and draw on the tablet screen. However, the stylus is not required and fingers can be used as touchscreen input.

Can you remove the Wii U controller battery?

The Wii U controller has a built-in non-removable battery. The battery is rechargeable via a USB cable that is connected to the front of the Wii U console.

What games will be available at Wii U launch?

So far there are 8 confirmed Wii U launch games, including Pikmin 3, an unannounced Nintendo first party multiplayer title, Assassin’s Creed 3, and Darksiders 2. You can see a full list of confirmed Wii U launch games here.

How much will Wii U games cost?

Wii U games are expected to cost $60, much like current generation game prices. This is because it will be more expensive to develop titles for the Wii U, on par with the Xbox 360 and PS3, compared to the Wii, which required less resources.

What game engines does the Wii U support?

The Wii U supports all major game engines, including the Unreal Engine 3, id Software’s Tech 5, and Crytek’s CryEngine 3.

What Nintendo first party games will come to the Wii U?

Nintendo is expected to bring all of their major franchises to the Wii U. So far, the confirmed titles include Zelda, Pikmin 3, and Super Mario. However, Nintendo is working on bringing Mario Kart, Metroid Prime, and Super Smash Bros. to the console as well.

What third party games will come to the Wii U?

The new console has attracted wide support from third party publishers, who will bring several of their biggest franchises to the Wii U. Some of the games include Assassin’s Creed 3, Darksiders 2, Ghost Recon Online, and Killer Freaks From Outer Space. Big publishers like EA are expected to bring most of their major franchises to the new console, including the annual sports titles like Madden NFL, NBA Live, and FIFA soccer.

Will the Wii U support indie games

Yes, smaller and independent developers can bring their games to the Wii U as downloadable titles through the Nintendo Network and eShop. This will work in much the same way as Wiiware titles worked on the original Wii.

Will the Wii U support online multiplayer?

Yes, the Wii U will launch will a fully fledged online multiplayer service called Nintendo Network, which will also offer additional features, such as game downloads, social networks, video channels and more.

Will the Wii U sue Friend Codes?

No, the Wii U will do away with Friend Codes and instead use a more common system of user accounts. Each player will create an online user account with a nickname and avatar, which will be used for online gaming and the Nintendo Network.

Does the Wii U support game downloads?

Yes, it will be possible to download full retail games on the Wii U through the new Wii U eShop channel on the Nintendo Network. Both Nintendo first party and third party retail games will be available for download on the console. Players will also be able to download older Nintendo games through the Wii U Virtual Console feature.

Will game DLC be available?

Yes, there will be full support for DLC — downloadable content — on the Wii U, through the Nintendo Network. DLC availability and pricing will be up to the individual publishers to determine.

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