Worldwide Wii U Release for 2012

Santa and his crew of elves will have a fair bit of work on their hands with Nintendo reiterating a 2012 worldwide Wii U launch.

Today perhaps wasn't the best page in the Japanese giant's books, given a significant loss for the current fiscal year, and lower than expected sales predicted as the clock ticks towards March 31st. Company boss Satoru Iwata did have a more positive announcement for eager investors: The Wii U.

The next in the long line of home consoles from Nintendo, the direct successor to the Wii, has been brewing behind the scenes and Iwata reiterated a 2012 launch for the new system - more interestingly it will arrive in time for Christmas in all major regions - North America, Europe, Japan and Australia.

The final hardware is expected to make a full reveal at this year's E3 Expo between June 5th and 7th 2012.