nintendo

Apple isn't the only technology company that can command a line of hard-core fans.

With the upcoming Wii U console launching on Sunday, Nintendo fans have already started to line up at the Japanese video game maker's flagship New York store in Rockefeller Center.

The line wasn't long -- roughly a dozen people were there, with some hanging out inside the store. But the metal barricades were up and individuals had been camping out for the past few days. … Read more

YouTube arrives today on the last major gaming console it's been absent from: the Nintendo Wii, with its installed base of 97 million units around the world.

For starters, the YouTube app for Wii will be available only in the United States. But Google plans on bringing it to other countries soon.

YouTube apps are now available on 400 million devices around the world, Google says. It previously came to the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, and has been announced as a partner for the Wii U, which makes its U.S. debut Sunday.

The new app can be found here.… Read more

The Nintendo Wii U comes out in just a few days, just in time for Thanksgiving-time shopping. Look at its signature feature: the GamePad. It has a 6-inch touch screen. It has a gyroscope. It has buttons. It's more than a little like a supertablet.

But it's not. I've tried using the Wii U. Nintendo's upcoming console is clearly a nod toward the fusion of handheld tablets with TV set-top boxes, a second-screen device if ever there was one. It can play games on its little screen even when the TV that the Wii U is plugged into is turned off or doing something else. And it can even move to another room and be used wirelessly. It's not a tablet, however. A lot of people will wish it were. And that's exactly where Nintendo needs to eventually head.… Read more

Questions answered on today's episode of The 404 Show:

- What's the point of having an LCD screen and buttons on my credit card?

- What comes in the Nintendo Wii U box, why do people love unboxing videos so much, and why does my brain feel like it's being massaged? Side note: ASMR Subreddit

- What's the history of Goatse.cx and how can I use it to ruin everyone's day?

- How can I sucker someone into giving me free money for the holidays?… Read more

The Xbox 360 continues to thrive in a market that's seen better days.

For the 15th month in the row, Microsoft's game console was the top-selling hardware platform, according to the latest video game stats from NPD group (not available on the Web, unfortunately).

In October, Microsoft sold 270,000 Xbox 360 units, more than any other gaming console. That number gave the company a 56 percent share of all console sales in the U.S. It also marked the 20th month in a row that the Xbox captured more than 40 percent of all U.S. sales.… Read more

November 18 marks the release of the first new home console in six years. The Nintendo Wii U promises a brand new gaming experience with the use of an innovative tablet controller.

So what's in the box? Tune in to see what's packed inside the Wii U Deluxe Set that goes for $350. Keep it here for a full review of the console closer to launch.

Nintendo has held fast to the idea that when gamers try out the Wii U, they will "get it." The Mario maker is giving gamers just that opportunity prelaunch, as the company is now beginning to roll out interactive Wii U kiosks in more than 5,000 retailers across the United States.

Gamers can find a Wii U demo station at a handful of retailers, including Target, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, and Toys 'R' Us. Kiosk content will vary by location; some will allow gamers to pick up a GamePad and play titles, while others will only feature … Read more

If you're willing to invest in new games for your long-awaited Wii U home console, a Nintendo promotion will grant you an extra $5 for every $50 you spend.

The Wii U, due to go on sale starting November 18, will come in two bundles: a $299 basic set and a $349 deluxe set that comes with additional accessories and the Nintendo Land game disc.

If you purchase the more-expensive bundle, you can use the promotion to earn points when purchasing downloadable games. These points can then be converted into discounts and will accumulate until the end of 2014. … Read more

Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime stopped by CNET's New York office on Thursday to talk about the company's upcoming console launch, the Wii U. The system marks the first new home gaming hardware introduced to the U.S. market in six years.

The Wii U also represents a major shift in strategy for Nintendo, deviating from the strict games-only design of previous systems. The Wii U will not only be just for playing games, but also controlling your TV and discovering and streaming other content from the Internet.… Read more