Nintendo has announced its holiday plans, which include a $50 price drop of the Wii U Deluxe Set, the introduction of a new 3DS tablet (minus the 3D) for $129.99, a Wind Waker HD Wii U bundle, and a handful of new games.
With the holiday season fast approaching, the house of Mario is in the difficult position of having to compete against two brand new consoles that are poised to bring about the “biggest console launch ever.” The PlayStation 4 alone has over 1 million pre-orders.; compare that to the Wii U’s 3.43 million units sold worldwide, and the holiday season could be a rough one for Nintendo.
But if there is one thing Nintendo has proven repeatedly, it’s that you can’t count it out. The prognosis for the Wii U may be bleak, but the Japanese game maker is hoping that this holiday it can change its recent fortunes through a series of price drops, new releases, and a new handheld alternative to the 3DS.
The Wii U
Beginning on September 20, the Deluxe Edition of the Wii U will drop in price from $349.99 to $299.99. The basic model with the 8GB hard drive is currently selling for $299 while supplies last. Once it is gone, Nintendo is not currently planning on reissuing it.
A limited edition bundle will also debut on the same day as the price drop. “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD bundle” will feature the Deluxe model of the Wii U, along a “GamePad with Zelda-inspired gold accents,” and codes for the digital versions of both the remastered Zelda game, as well as the book Hyrule Historia. It will also run $299.99, but supplies will be limited.
The following games have also been confirmed for the Wii U in 2013:
- Rayman Legends (September 3)
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (September 20 – downloadable; October 4 packaged)
- Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure (September 24)
- Just Dance 2014 (October 8)
- Skylanders SWAP Force (October 13)
- Sonic Lost World (October 22)
- Wii U Party (October 25)
- Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (October 29)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (November 5)
- Watch Dogs (November 19)
- Super Mario 3D World (November 22)
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (December 6)
- LEGA Marvel Superheroes (TBA)
- Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Winter Games (TBA)
- Wii U Fit (TBA)
Nintendo 2DS
Sales of the Nintendo 3DS have been increasing around the globe, with more than 33 million units sold since its 2011 debut. Along with the original, an XL version was released in August 2012, and now a third model is on the way.
The Nintendo 2D will be a tablet like version of the 3DS, minus the clamshell design and the 3D functionality. Beyond the design elements though, it will play all 3DS games, both packaged and downloadable, and feature the same internal software. It will be released on October 12 in both red and blue models, and it will retail at $129.99, $40 less than the standard Nintendo 3DS, and $70 less than the 3DS XL.
The following 2DS/3DS games have been announced for 2013:
- Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure (September 24)
- Skylanders SWAP Force (October 13)
- Sonic Lost World (October 22)
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate (October 25)
- Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don’t Know (November 19)
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (November 22)
- Mario Party: Island Tour (November 22)
- LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Universe in Peril (TBA)
