Nintendo have confirmed that the details of the Wii U launch will be announced this Thursday, September 13th via a Nintendo Direct Wii U preview, available to the public online. This coincides with a scheduled event for the media in New York, that very same day, to announce new details surrounding the Wii U.

While it’s been obvious for a while now that the Wii U would hit shelves before Christmas this year (or at the very least, in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2012) the move to release the Wii U at such a time is no-doubt an effort to replicate the holiday success of the Wii.

When contacting media outlets about the NYC event, Nintendo surmised the event as one which will teach us “more about how the Wii U will change the future of gaming and entertainment”, although there’s not been much said on the specifics. Nintendo will remedy that this Friday with the Wii U Preview presentation. The event will be hosted by Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Amie.

Nintendo of Europe president, Satoru Shibata, announced over twitter, “Hi everyone! I’d like to invite you to watch the Nintendo Direct Wii U preview, Thursday 13th September at 4pm CEST [3pm UK]“

The Direct Wii U preview will be viewable here: http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/nintendo_direct_47764.html