The Japanese website of struggling console co. Nintendo has announced that it will be re-launching its Wii U Premium in white along with a series of other peripherals for the home system which first went on sale in November 2012.
Up until now the Wii U Premium pack has only been available in glossy black hardware and this will be the first time that the 32GB version and its unique gamepad controller will be up for grabs in traditional Wii White casing. Only the 8GB Basic version is currently for sale in white but gamers will get a choice in the near future and more details are set to follow on the company’s web show Nintendo Direct on June 11th.
In addition, Nintendo Japan revealed that a battery pack and charging dock will soon go on sale for the Wii U GamePad, offering an expanded 8 hour lifespan for the touchscreen gadget. There will also be a pair of re-releases of party game Nintendo Land which will soon come packaged with either a blue or pink classic style Wiimote controller.
With the Nintendo Direct show set to air on the starting day of the annual E3 entertainment and gaming event we expect to hear more about these items and their western releases as Nintendo makes a hopeful charge into the second half of 2013 after last month reporting the severity of its financial loses. On top of this bad news, publisher EA Games also withdrew a large part of its support of Nintendo and will not be delivering some of this year’s hottest titles including FIFA 14.
Despite Nintendo’s strong outings at the previous two E3 expos and healthy early sales, the Wii U has thus far fallen below the company’s expectations. As lifelong fans ourselves we really hope the 30 year mainstay of the console market can turn things around in spite of competition from market leading brand names Xbox and PlayStation – both of which will be showcasing new hardware and games at E3.