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That's according to IGN, which claims new console owners will be unable to access Miiverse, Chat, Nintendo TVii (US only) and the eShop without downloading the update.

Nintendo has confirmed a Wii U release date of November 18 in the US, and a Wii U release date of November 30 in Europe.

The company has set the US Wii U price at $299 for the basic model, while the UK Wii U price starts at around £230.

Earlier this week the first Wii U game reviews arrived via GamesMaster magazine, which gave NintendoLand 86% and New Super Mario Bros. U 82%.