Wii U Release Date Potentially Leaked

Wii U

Nintendo has yet to announce the release date or pricing information for the Wii U. However, a leak from a wholesale media distribution company could provide that information.

Video Product Distributors, a company that works with businesses including Amazon, Overstock and Newegg, listed three different Wii U bundles with a release date of November 11 on the company intranet.

The site listed versions of the Wii U at $249, $299, and $349. No additional information is given along with the listings. The description contains simple, unclear terms.

Leaked information from sources is hardly a confirmation of truth. However, these rumors were substantiated with a video and screenshot of the private intranet. The Wii U pricing and November 11 release date are clearly visible in the images.

A trade account is necessary to obtain access to the site. Luckily, a user with access was kind enough to share the information to the world. It was first revealed via a YouTube video. The video has since been taken down.

Of course, the release date could simply be serving as a placeholder until an official release date is announced. Nintendo has stated the new console will hit store shelves during the holiday season this year. Beyond that, information has been scarce.

The different price points suggest additional games or peripherals will be packaged with the more expensive versions of the Wii U. Bundles could include games that show off the console’s features or extra controllers.

Wii Sports was included with the Wii. The title has become one of the best selling games of all time with over 79.6 million copies sold overall. Nintendo has not revealed a next-generation successor to the Wii Sports franchise. The company did show off NintendoLand for the Wii U at an annual press conference at E3. The game based on a fictional Nintendo-themed amusement park could potentially be included with purchases of the Wii U.

Wii U GamePad

The console’s use of the GamePad makes the potential pricing interesting. The controller is a unique mix of a classic game controller with a tablet and a handheld gaming device. With the extensive capabilities it has, it would be difficult to imagine the company including an extra GamePad with Wii U bundles for a mere $50. However, the $349 bundle could include an additional GamePad. The Wii U also uses the Wii Remote Plus and a Wii U Pro Controller that also could be included in Wii U bundles.

No official word has come down from Nintendo. The announcement of the Wii U release date and cost is expected to take place at a Nintendo event on September 13.

Ryan Bloom

Ryan Bloom

Associate Editor at Gaming Illustrated
Ryan Bloom is a writer and avid gamer from Santa Ana, CA. He received a B.A. in Communications with a minor in American Studies from California State University, Fullerton in 2010. Follow him on Twitter @BloomsTweets.
Ryan Bloom

@BloomsTweets

Associate Editor, News & Preview Lead, Game Reviewer for @GamingIllustrat, professional writer and multimedia journalist
I knew Call of Duty: Ghosts stuff looked familiar. Juicy J leaked it awhile ago #bandzamakeherdance http://t.co/sBxxRohlC2 - 3 hours ago
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  • Joshua

    Not so sure about the day, the 11th falls on a sunday which also happens to be veterans day and a u.s. federal holiday that will be observed on the next day. Usually places like amazon are able to have these shipped to you on release day if you get the right shipping. that’s part of their selling point…I dunno, I could be pleasantly surprised :D