Wii arrives in Europe on December 8 for £179

Nintendo has announced that its next-generation Wii console will hit Europe on December 8 for a recommended retail price of £179/249 euros ($335.87/$314.57). The release date puts the region's launch a few weeks behind the US, where it debuts on November 19, and Japan, where it hits stores on December 2. With the recent postponement of the PlayStation 3 in Europe until March 2007, Nintendo's Wii will be the region's only console launch this Christmas.

Australia will get the Wii slightly earlier, on December 7, for AU$399.95 (approx. £160/$300.38). Both the European and Australian packages will contain the white console, one Wii-mote controller, the nunchuck attachment, and the game Wii Sports. In Europe, software will cost £34 to £39 (49 to 59 euros), and there will be 15 to 20 games available from launch. Among the confirmed launch titles are The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Need for Speed: Carbon, Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, and Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz.

As for accessories, Wii owners will be able to buy extra remotes for £29 (39 euros), a nunchuck for £14 (19 euros), and the classic controller for £14 (19 euros). For more details on the worldwide release of the Wii, check out GameSpot's launch centre.