No, I don't think anyother country in Europe celebrates anything like that :P here in Nothern Europe X-mas is the most important time for gifts...

Pavolink said: Conegamer said: Looking at Nintendo this past few years, I'd imagine a simultaneous release WW in mid November, perhaps earlier in the US to beat Black Friday. It ain't coming in December, anywhere. Bar maybe Australia 1. Denial 2. Anger 3. Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance

haha!

*Like*

Here in Italy we have many different traditions for Xmas. In some zones the Epiphany, 6th January, is more important than Xmas itself, in some other zones Xmas gifts, particularly those for children, are given on St.Lucy's day, 13th December. And in many towns and villages, particularly in the Alps, there's the tradition of Xmas markets and fairs on the 8th December, Feast of the Immaculate Conception and national holiday here: then gifts are just bought, but not given, they are given on the appropriate day, be it Xmas or Epiphany or St.Lucy. So yes, here too there would be a good reason to release just before December. BTW gift giving on St.Lucy's day is quite common in some provinces of Lombardy, that is the richest region of Italy and one of the richest of the whole Europe.

I remember someone on this forum mentioning there is an important Spanish/Portuguese holiday in the first week of January (shortly after New Years) so there are other region specific holidays (whether any will have a negative impact due to Nintendo releasing too late though I don't know)

Would suck if it slipped into 2013. Thought staggered launches were a thing of the past after the 3DS and Vita. Not that I plan on getting a Wii U anytime soon, but the industry really needs it as soon as possible.

The WiiU needs to launch at least 3 weeks before black friday, and then send a 2nd wave of shipments. Its going to sellout at launch as a given, the customers at black friday are the ones who will buy BECAUSE its a new hardware for the holidays. This will be a crucial mistake to launch the week of or week before that day.

I've been saying November 11, 2012 for NA since before there were even any significant rumors about the system's announcement.

I'm sticking to that.

I have zero predictions or expectations for any other regions.

As long as I get it this year. November needs to hurry up!

That's right, as Alby has also mentioned above, on the 6th of January we celebrate the Epiphany. It is the adoration of the Magi, when the Three Wise Men presented their gifts to Jesus, and in a similar way the Spanish children receive their presents then too. I like this celebration a lot, on 5th you have the Magi parades in every town full of children, its a joyous event and more in tune with our culture than gift giving on Christmas eve/day (although this is gaining popularity).

Please dont release the Wii U in December. I will be too skint to buy it then