Wii U Remote

Wii U reportedly launching on November 18 in North America

Wii U RemoteNintendo’s newest console, the Wii U, will launch in North America on Sunday, November 18, according to Wii U Daily.

The site claims to have obtained an internal email from Japanese retailer Media Land that reportedly outs the system’s November 18 release date, with the Japanese launch to follow a week a later. The email contained no info on a European launch.

GamesBeat reached out to Nintendo for comment. The company responded, “Nintendo does not comment on rumor or speculation.”

Nintendo has a history of releasing new hardware in late November. The Wii was released on November 19, 2006, also a Sunday. The GameCube launched on November 18, 2001. Releasing in this time frame obviously allows Nintendo to capitalize on the holiday shopping season.

The Wii U will be Nintendo’s first HD system, although a story from Games Industry International cites multiple developers who claim the new hardware is not as powerful as the PlayStation 3 or the Xbox 360, consoles that are almost six and seven years old respectively.

Mike Minotti

Mike Minotti has been with GamesBeat since 2012, starting as an intern. Based near Youngstown, Ohio, he now manages GamesBeat's editorial team. He's also a prolific podcaster, appearing on multiple shows covering the gaming industry.