Wii U hitting Japan on December 8th

Here’s the live coverage from the Japanese Nintendo Direct event with Satoru Iwata:

– Wii U will support full HD 1080p and uses a “GPGPU.” Main memory: 1 GB. System memory: 1 GB. Total memory: 2GB.
– Wii U games only use 1 GB of the system’s main memory. The system memory is for the OS.
– Wii U game discs are 25 GB and run at 22.5 MB/s.
– The browser can be used while playing games.
– The Wii U consumes up to 75 watts of electricity, with 40 watts being the average.
– You’ll be able to import your Virtual Console and WiiWare games from your Wii.
– There’ll be a Wii mode designated for Wii games.
– There’s very low latency for the GamePad.
– Miiverse is the system-level social network interface.
– You can watch videos and play games on the GamePad.
– You can do multiplayer using a GamePad while using several Wii remotes. Dual-screen play is possible.
– “Play together on Wii U, play alone on Wii U”.
– A vertical stand for the Wii U and a stand for the GamePad will be available.
– The Pro Controller costs 5040 yen (about $60).
– New Super Mario Bros. U and NintendoLand will go on sale on launch day, for 6000 and 5000 yen (respectively).
– New Super Mario Bros. U is the first Mario game to launch with a Nintendo home console since Nintendo 64.
– There’ll be two SKU’s: one premium and one basic.
– The standard set is 8GB and the premium one is 32GB (in regards to storage space).
– Release date for Japan is December 8th.
– The Wii U GamePad on its own costs 13,440 yen (about $170)
– Nintendo Network Premium runs through December, 2014. Premium includes controller stands.
– Nintendo Network Premium also provides points for purchases and gives you 10% back on digital buys. This service will only be available with the Wii U Premium Set.
– The premium SKU costs 31,500 yen (about $400 with tax) and the basic SKU costs 26,250 yen (about $335 with tax).
– Actual Premium Wii U price is 30,000 yen ($385). Actual Basic Wii U price is 25,000 yen ($320).
– There will also be a Wii U bundle in Japan that consists of all of the content in the Premium model plus a Wii U Controller Pro and a copy of Monster Hunter 3G HD Version for 38,850 yen ($495).

Basic package:
-White
-8 GB SSD
-Wii U Console
-Wii U Gamepad
-Wii U AC Adapter
-Wii U Gamepad AC Adapter
-HDMI Cable

Premium package:
-32 GB SSD
-includes Nintendo Premium
-Wii U Console
-Wii U Gamepad
-Wii U AC Adapter
-Wii U Gamepad AC Adapter
-HDMI Cable
-Wii U Console Stand
-Wii U Gamepad Charging Dock
-Wii U Gamepad Stand

*Wii has now sold 96 million units worldwide!
*Over 80% of Wii console are in living rooms, which cause a conflice over TV usage. A problem greatly reduced with Wii U.

Stream videos at Ustream
Nintendo Direct video stream

Paul Gale Network will continue to provide updates on Wii U, including the 7am PST event that Nintendo has in store for us, also on September 13th. Hmm, now with the announcement of Nintendo Network Premium, should there be a Paul Gale Network Premium!?