Nintendo plans to release its next-generation Wii U game console across the world by the end of this calendar year. The company intends to make Wii U available for the year-end shopping season, but it is likely that the console will still be launched in Japan earlier than in the rest of the world.

Satoru Iwata, the president of Nintendo, said that his company would release highly-anticipated Wii U game console, which will succeed the highly-popular Wii, in its key markets in the United States, Europe, Australia and Japan for the year-end season, reports Reuters news-agency. The highly-ranking executive of Nintendo did not mention any launch date, but it is clear that the company will start the roll-out after the E3 trade-show in the U.S. in mid-2012.

Earlier executives at Nintendo confirmed that Wii U will cost more than the original Wii and would be aimed to both core gamers as well as casual gamers. Unfortunately, Nintendo is still quiet about exact pricing of the console.

Nintendo Wii U combines motion-sensing game play with the ability to support full HD graphics and generally performance demanding games that can run on consoles like Microsoft Xbox 360 or Sony PlayStation 3. The system itself is based on a custom IBM Power microprocessor as well as a modern custom AMD Radeon HD graphics processing unit with high-definition graphics and video support. But the main feature of the code-named Cafe game console is its unique controller with 6.2" touch-screen that also features an accelerometer and a gyroscope, a rumble feature, an inward-facing camera, a microphone and speakers that can be used to play both classic Gamecube/Wii games as well as specially designed titles that take advantage of the screen. Each Wii U console will be partnered with a new controller and can also use up to four additional Wii Remote or Wii Remote Plus controllers. The system is also backward compatible and can play all Wii games and use all Wii accessories.

Tags: Nintendo, Wii, Wii U