Minecraft fans in the Nintendo universe will be happy to know that Minecraft is officially coming to Wii U on December 17. Kristoffer Jelbring of Mojang has Tweeted that a physical edition of the game is coming later. The game will cost $29.99 in the Nintendo eShop.
So far, the Wii U edition looks pretty similar to other versions of the game, though of course it will offer GamePad-only gameplay (meaning someone else can use the TV while the gamer just plays off of the Wii U’s second screen). Up to four players can share a screen for local multiplayer, and up to eight players can play together online. Additional Nintendo-exclusive content has also been promised down the road.
Minecraft for Wii U will include the following six packs:
- Battle & Beasts Skin Pack
- Battle & Beasts 2 Skin Pack
- Natural Texture Pack
- City Texture Pack
- Fantasy Texture Pack
- Festive Mash-up Pack
These 16 packs will be available with an additional purchase:
- Festive Skin Pack
- The Simpsons Skin Pack
- Doctor Who Skins Volume 1
- Doctor Who Skins Volume 2
- Star Wars Classic Skin Pack
- Star Wars Rebels Skin Pack
- Star Wars Prequel Skin Pack
- Mass Effect Mash-up Pack
- Skyrim Mash-up Pack
- Plastic Texture Pack
- Candy Texture Pack
- Cartoon Texture Pack
- Steampunk Texture Pack
- Pattern Texture Pack
- Greek Mythology Mash-up Pack
- Halloween 2015 Mash-up Pack
If you were paying attention to the news last month, you may have already known that this release was coming. European games rating organization PEGI publically posted an age rating for the Wii U edition, giving away the news in advance of an official announcement.
But now it is official. And it makes perfect sense. The Wii U is a super family-friendly console, and the GamePad will work really well for Minecraft’s building mechanics.
“With so many included add-on content packs, Minecraft: Wii U Edition brings an exciting collection of Minecraft content and experiences to Nintendo fans,” said Reggie Fils-Aimé, President of Nintendo of America.
