Desperate Gaming Noob, Father of 2 Kids Needs Help (boy 7 , girl 5)

1. Although everything you need to play the console (adapters, chargers) will be included in the console, if you wish to play multiplayer games then you'll need extra controllers (the console comes with one Gamepad). A lot of games on nintendo land you will need Wii Remote per extra person, and some games will require nunchucks aswell.

2. There is a sizeable update to download when you first use the Wii U, the kids won't really like waiting for this on christmas morning, so it might be worth setting up the console when you know they are out for a long time and downloading the update ( for some it has taken 4-5 hours, some 1 hour)

3. Yes the Wii U doesn't upscale Wii games, and on a big TV they will look low def.

4. New Super Mario Bros Wii U is a good place to start and also has multiplayer options, Nintendo Land that is bundled with the console has also been well received.

5. I don't know much about it but there is a sports mini game collection called ESPN Sports Connection.

Hope this info was some use.

1. Although everything you need to play the console (adapters, chargers) will be included in the console, if you wish to play multiplayer games then you'll need extra controllers (the console comes with one Gamepad). A lot of games on nintendo land you will need Wii Remote per extra person, and some games will require nunchucks aswell.

2. There is a sizeable update to download when you first use the Wii U, the kids won't really like waiting for this on christmas morning, so it might be worth setting up the console when you know they are out for a long time and downloading the update ( for some it has taken 4-5 hours, some 1 hour)

3. Yes the Wii U doesn't upscale Wii games, and on a big TV they will look low def.

4. New Super Mario Bros Wii U is a good place to start and also has multiplayer options, Nintendo Land that is bundled with the console has also been well received.

5. I don't know much about it but there is a sports mini game collection called ESPN Sports Connection.

Hope this info was some use.

euro96

4. NintendoLand and Super Mario Bros U as suggested by Euro96 sound like the perfect games in your circumstance. Both these games will utilise the extra Wii remotes you get too. Other than these two games, these games may interest you and your kids:Scribblenauts Unlimited (2 player),Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (2 player),Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (4 player), and as suggested by Euro96;Sports Connection.

Should you want to play Nintendo Land, you'd have to buy it separately if you get the standard (white) console and end up paying $10 extra and miss out on the additional 24GB of storage. The deluxe version is the better choice in my opinion.

As for the additional controllers, you want to at the very least get the Wiimotes with Motion+ already built in. Nunchucks are a good idea to get as well and you can purchase separately if you wish. The Wii U does not have ports on which you can use the GameCube controllers.... sigh! The steering wheels are just shells in which you can place in the Wiimotes to play driving games, nothing you really can't do without the shell, but for your kids I imagine it would add some sense of 'actual driving.' I wish I could tell you more about the Wii U Pro controller, I've used it, it is nice, but I can't say you absolutely need it at the moment.

I know you said you are not interested in older games..... BUT, there are some gems out there for Wii that may not looks as good, but man are they fun. If you don't mind, look up the Super Mario Galaxy reviews here on Gamespot.

Thanks for the advice ...assuming I get the deluxe bundle....do I need 4 Wiimotes with Motion+ and 4 Nunchucks? Also, are there other accessories that are must haves like special chargers ,stands or other stuff? In other areas of my life I seek to optimize the experience and get the very best stuff to enhance it...just want to make sure I don't miss anythingnhw3w