We’ll See the Wii U Before the End of the World in the U.S., Europe, and Japan

While the Mayans might have believed the world may end in 2012 (or maybe they just ran out of room on their calendar), gamers will probably expect that their social lives will end again in 2012. No, it’s not another Elder Scrolls game, although we really wish it was. It’s Nintendo’s release of the Wii U. The gaming giant released a statement saying that the Wii U will launch in all the major territories, including Australia, by the end of 2012. That might very well mean we’ll see it come out on New Year’s Eve as some joke, but we honestly hope that won’t be the case.

Nintendo’s big boss Satoru Iwata said during a press conference with reporters in Japan that the Wii U will be revealed yet again at E3 this year. While the system will launch no earlier than April of this year, Iwata said that it will definitely be out before the year is done for. While last year’s reveal at E3 wasn’t entirely disastrous, it left many of us with more questions than answers. Perhaps it was just Nintendo pre-gaming for the big reveal at this year’s E3?

Details regarding Wii U’s specifications and launch titles still remain unknown, but studios responsible for creating games on the system have been given their dev kits. They’ve also received strict orders from Nintendo to not speak with the press about specifications, but that hasn’t stopped the rumors from floating around. Word on the grapevine speculates that the Wii U will have visuals on part with the best games on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Iwata said during the press conference that he hopes Nintendo will return to profitability next year. Following a slump in stocks with the weak Wii U reveal at E3 and the stumbling of 3DS sales, the technology giant hasn’t been on the most stable financial grounds. The company expects a huge loss for the financial year, which ends on March 31st 2012. However, Iwata remains optimistic, saying that the continuous release of titles for the 3DS and “other measures” will help keep them afloat until the Wii U touches down.

Via Eurogamer.