Wii U specs: Nintendo confirms official hardware details

Get the low-down on what we know so far of the hardware specs for Nintendo's Wii U: its power, its size and the cold, hard numbers.

Nintendo has revealed the hardware specs for the two different models of the Wii U.

So far, we know that Japan will get a Basic and Premium SKU. The Basic package will come in white with 8GB of internal flash memory, which will be used for storing game data and content downloaded from the Nintendo Network.

The Premium package will be black and feature 32GB of flash memory for storage. Wii U game discs will be 25GB capacity and, judging by the size of the internal harddrives, are unlikely to ever require game data to be installed directly on to the console.

Both bundles include a basic AC adapter and an HDMI adapter for 1080p gaming. Nintendo claim the Wii U is around 20 times more powerful than its six-year-old Wii console.

Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata said the Wii U will have 1GB of system memory and 1GB of game memory for 2GB total, that's compared to PS3 and 360's 512MB.

The Wii U uses 75 watts of power when operating and 45 watts in power save mode. It measures 46 mm x 172 mm x 268.5 mm in the horizontal position.

Accessory-wise, the Basic pack will include the white console and Game Pad, a stylus, HDMI adapter and AC adapter.

The Premium set includes a black console and a black Game Pad, a stylus, an AC adapter, a HDMI cable, a Game Pad dock (charging stand), a Game Pad stand and a console stand.

The Wii U launches in Japan on December 8. Check out Brenna's post in full for more details from this morning's announcement.

Announcements for the US and European launches are happening at 3pm BST this afternoon. More hardware details will be added to this post as and when we have them.