Nintendo has unveiled the official release date for the Wii U in North America and Europe. The Nintendo Wii successor will launch on Nov. 18 in the U.S. and Nov. 30 in Europe. At Thursday's Nintendo Direct presentation, the long-time video game manufacturer announced the Wii U's hardware specifications, as well as the line-up of games that will debut alongside the next-generation console.

The Wii U doesn't launch for another couple of months, but GameStop has already begun accepting preorders. The popular video game retailer is offering an extra $10 trade in credit for those willing to get rid of their Wii. When trading in a gaming console at GameStop, users would typically earn about $50 in credit. But when using that credit towards the purchase of a Wii U, fans will get $60 instead.

GameStop's website says customers can save up to $140 when trading in their old systems for the Wii U. Gamers who trade in their original Xbox 360 consoles, PS Vita or 3DS systems get $90 in the retailer's PowerUp Rewards. When exchanging an original model PlayStation 3 or slim model Xbox 360, GameStop patrons get $115. For the slim model PlayStation 3, gamers are rewarded with $140, and $50 for a Wii system.

This is only valuable as credit put towards a new Wii U system, and users will not be able to get this amount in cash. The hardware must also be in full working condition and must contain all components.

Buyers will have two options for the Wii U: the basic or the premium edition. The basic version comes with a white Wii U console, 8GB of memory, a wireless motion-sensitive GamePad controller, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable and a sensor bar. The premium package contains a 32GB black Wii U wide a GamePad controller, charging cradle, stand and Nintendo Land game. The price for the basic edition is $299.99, while the premium is sold for $349.99.

The Wii U will feature an all new Nintendo TVii service that brings TV shows, movies and sports broadcasts into one place on the GamePad controller. This comes with Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video support, and integrates with TiVo DVRs. When choosing a channel listing on the GamePad controller, a user can watch the content directly on their television.

Nintendo's COO, Reggie Fils-Aime, made the announcement on Thursday.

"For us, it was a natural extension of what we have seen with our relationship with Netflix," Fils-Aime said. "Having the integrated second screen really created the opportunity for us to disrupt this entertainment space the way we've disrupted the gaming space."

GameStop CEO Paul Raines said that Nintendo has found another way to transform the gaming industry with its Wii U release.

"I think Nintendo just took a giant leap forward on innovation," Raines said according to USA Today. "No one has a tablet that plays with a controller. No one had high definition and backwards compatibility with old Nintendo titles. That is pretty exciting stuff."

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