Nintendo Details European Wii U eShop and Day One Update

Nintendo Wii U is hitting European shores this week, and Nintendo have confirmed the different online features and incentives for launch adopters.

European owners will, like North American Wii U players, have to download a day one update to access certain online nibbles - including the on-board browser, Miiverse, Wii U chat and the Nintendo eShop for downloads.

Like the US launch, Nintendo will also be offering day one downloads - including full retail releases like Nintendo Land, ZombiU and New Super Mario Bros. There'll also be a handful of indie eShop games to grab hold of - Trine 2: Director's Cut, Puddle, Nano Assault Neo, Little Inferno and Chasing Aurora will be available from day one.

Interestingly playable free demos will be there to sample from the outset, with EA's FIFA 13 being the first to take the plunge.

Nintendo Europe have also confirmed - YouTube, Netflix and uPlay support for those hungry for a little more multimedia on the new Wii U. Nintendo Network Premium will be in effect for download titles, with account holders gaining points towards future purchases - 8 points per £/€, which will become a virtual voucher once collecting 500 points or more.

Finally, the Wii transfer functionality - which includes WiiWare, Virtual Console and Mii characters - will be a downloadable app at launch. But be warned, it is a one way process.

In a nutshell - full retail games, streaming apps, Miiverse, browser/chat and indie releases will all be available to Wii U owners at launch.