NEW YORK (AP) — Nintendo says its upcoming Wii U gaming console will cost $300 for a basic version. It will launch on Nov. 18 in the U.S., in time for the holidays.
A "deluxe" version will go for $350. It will be black instead of white and include extra features such as more memory, a charging stand and the game "Nintendo Land."
Nintendo Co. has been trying to drum up excitement for the Wii U, which is the first major gaming console to launch since 2006. The device has a touch-screen controller called the Wii U GamePad. It also plays games made for the original Wii.
Nintendo said the latest game in its wildly popular Mario franchise, "New Super Mario Bros. U," will be available when the new console launches. It will include new ways to play that use the GamePad. It will also offer new challenges for advanced Mario players, such as trying to complete a level without touching the ground. "Mario" and other classic games have long been Nintendo's main draw.
The company also announced new entertainment features for the console at an event Thursday in New York. Called "Nintendo TVii," the service collects all the ways users have of watching movies, TV shows and sports. This includes pay-TV accounts along with services such as Hulu and Netflix.
The GamePad works as a fancy remote controller, and users can browse programming and comment on scenes while they watch.