Wii U Missing Key Features at Launch

The Wii U launch is only days away and already thousands, if not millions of people worldwide, are sitting with bated breath to experience all that Nintendo has to offer with the first next gen console.  Some people unable to snag a preorder are already lining up outside retail stores in the hopes to get their hands on what is destined to be one of the must have gifts this holiday season.

Unfortunately for them, the Wii U they bring home will not allow access to YouTube, Amazon Instant Video, Netflix or Hulu Plus right out of the box, nor will it allow players to use its much vaunted TVii immediately either.  According to a Nintendo press release, the TVii feature, which allows gamers to interact with content coming through their cable or satellite boxes, is not quite ready and will be available via an update sometime in December.  There was no specific date given for the update, or when the streaming apps would become available.

A big selling point for the Wii U was that it was being designed to be more like the brain of your home entertainment center in order to bring back some of the hardcore gamers and fans Nintendo lost with the Wii, and the inability of the system to come built in with what was promised could be seen as a bit of a stumbling block for what should be a huge release for Nintendo.  Couple that with the fact that there is Day 1 DLC for functionality, and it makes one wonder if Nintendo is shipping out a complete system or a half backed mess.

What do you think?  Is this going to put a damper on Wii U sales, or will gamers be happy waiting for the updates and focus on playing games until then?  Sound off in the comments below!