Wii U launching worldwide in time for 'year-end season'

Speaking to reporters in Osaka after Nintendo's earnings release today, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata offered the most specific information about the Wii U's various international release windows yet -- revealing that they're all roughly similar.

According to Reuters, Iwata said that the console will be released in the US, Europe, Australia, and Japan "for the year-end season." Previous windows have placed the Wii U in 2012, and then in the second half of 2012. With that crucial timing in place, all Nintendo needs is a decent price and a few great launch games, and all the mistakes of the 3DS's launch can be avoided.