What’s in the box? Nintendo Wii U Deluxe Edition and Pro Controller

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With a solid streak of Halo, Call of Duty, and Hitman games dropping almost nonstop in November, it might take a moment to remember that — oh, yeah! — we’ve got a whole new console launching this month, too.

The Nintendo Wii U hits Nov. 18 in the U.S., and we just got our hands on the fully loaded and glossy-black 32GB Deluxe Edition. We’ll report on how it plays in the coming weeks, but we can show and tell the complete package right now. And as a bonus, we’re also comparing the Nintendo Pro Controller to its popular doppelgänger, the Xbox 360 controller.

Let’s have a look, shall we?

DSCF8016 The back of the box ... right before you destroy it to get at the goodies inside.
DSCF7968 And here's the complete contents! Notice anything missing? Yep: no Wiimote/Nunchuck. Nintendo apparently believes we've got those already.
DSCF7975 The glossy black finish instantly attracts all the dust in your home, and it can pick up fingerprints from people you haven't seen in years.
DSCF7982 The front hatch flips down and retracts. Inside, you've got your SD card slot and two USB ports. That panel on the side houses the battery. Ben Heck will tear this sucker apart in two minutes flat.
DSCF7977 Its lovely behind. From left to right: AC adapter connector, AV multi-out connector, sensor-bar connector, HDMI port (finally!), and two more USB ports.
DSCF7983 Why, hello there, Mr. WiiPad. Let's have a look at you.
DSCF7984 It can't be a Nintendo controller without the joypad, right? The white box is the near-field communication (NFC) point. The tiny hole underneath is one of two speakers.
DSCF7985 On the other side, all the face buttons below the stick, and yes, that feels odd and counter-intuitive. The camera sits center-top. The "TV" button lets you use your WiiPad as a remote control.
DSCF7989 Down in front. Don't ask me why the volume slider's here (on the left, to the right of the stylus), or the audio jack -- hey, just be happy it has them. That's a power cord port on the right, too, but you don't have to use it, because....
DSCF7987 ...peek underneath, and you'll find two charging terminals for when you put the WiiPad in its charging cradle. That's the "accessory connector" between them. The button for synching to your Wii U is under here, too.
DSCF7992 Stylus. Yep. Nintendo.
DSCF7991 A better look at the trigger and shoulder buttons. They feel exactly like the trigger and shoulder buttons on the Wiimote/Nunchuck ... a bit short and lacking action. Overall, the WiiPad feels a bit plasticy and light (but not slight), but it fits in your hands nicely.
DSCF7995 Stands. The two in front are for the Wii U. The two in back are for the WiiPad.
DSCF7997 The WiiPad's charging stand close up. When that center plunger goes down, two contacts rise up, and the magic happens. Only it's done with science.
DSCF8056 Cradled. The power cord connects to the stand underneath and trails out the back.
DSCF8059 And now, the non-charging cradle. Why would you use this? No idea. The Wii U only comes with one WiiPad, and Nintendo doesn't plan to sell them separately anytime soon. So guard that WiiPad with your life, soldier.
DSCF8063 Yes, the Wii U's stand comes in two pieces. Yes, that's strange. They feel very snug and secure though ... even if they partially cover one of the air vents. Or maybe I'm supposed to flip this so the power/eject buttons are at the bottom?
DSCF8004 Did you think we were done with the sensor bar and its wee little cord? DID YOU THINK THAT?
DSCF8055 And of course, the Deluxe Edition comes bundled with Nintendo Land. What, you didn't get the Deluxe? No game for you!
DSCF7999 Your friendly neighborhood power adapter.
DSCF8000 The WiiPad's even-more-friendly power adapter. This can plug into both the charging station and the WiiPad itself.
DSCF8002 HDMI cablezzzZZZZZZ.
DSCF8008 And one for the environmentalists. Here's all the stuff you'll throw away!
DSCF8012 And now, the Nintendo Pro Controller. It comes in the same glossy black finish, but it's much easier to lick your fingerprints off this than it is with the Wii U.
DSCF8033 Everything that comes in the box (which you must destroy to open). Puny box!
DSCF8041 The face buttons are slightly more offset (towards the center) from the right stick than their arrangement over on the WiiPad, but going for that A button still feels odd so far.
DSCF8037 It looks very familiar, but that joypad cradles the thumb nicely and has a pleasing roll to it.
DSCF8045 The Pro Controller feels very light indeed, particularly compared to its obvious inspiration, the Xbox 360 controller. Thank the rechargeable batteries for that. The grip also feels a bit deeper.
DSCF8044 Triggers and shoulder buttons. These feel more responsive that the WiiPad and roughly on par with the PlayStation 3's controller.
DSCF8042 Closeup of the back, just to prove Nintendo made it. Those are the blue controller lights you know and love.
DSCF8049 Yes, you're seeing double. The Pro Controller looks all shiny and new compared to the old Xbox 360 controller (because it is), but the sticks high/buttons low configuration might be a cause for concern. We'll see how the games treat it.
DSCF8050 The Pro Controller is noticeably wider, but just a hair taller. Ergonomically, it rests nicely in the hands.
DSCF8054 USB power cord. No word yet on the Pro Controller's battery life, but Nintendo loves long battery life, so fingers crossed.