Nintendo Australia has announced it will be launching its new console, the Wii U, in Australia and New Zealand on November 30. With what looks to be a completely redesigned gaming experience from the original Wii -- which had players swinging their arms around with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk -- the Wii U's GamePad controller (a chunky little button-laden tablet kind of thing) features its own display that shows supplementary gaming visuals.

Nintendo says the controller's integrated second screen provides “brand new gaming experiences”, enabling the user to play independently of the TV set in some games. Initially two Wii packages will be on offer. The Wii U Basic Pack costs $349.95 and includes a console with 8GB storage and GamePad (both white). For an additional $80, the Wii U Premium Pack ($429.95) comes all in black and provides a bunch of extras including 32GB storage, a stand, charging cradle, sensor bar and software bonuses. A number of games will be available at launch, including the obligatory new Mario variant, 2D platformer New Super Mario Bros. U.