When Sega published a November release date for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, the Wii U November launch was quickly claimed to be a mistake. It may have been, but the November window gains more credence with a November 23 launch claimed through a press release from Rise of the Guardians developer D3 Publisher.

Releasing for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and DS on November 23, Guardians is releasing for almost every platform. Wii U is included, suggesting development is alongside the other versions.

According to Nintendo, the next-generation console will have an end of 2012 release. A November launch is expected and would position Wii U as a console for the holidays.

Other developers have said that the development of cross-platform titles releasing on Wii is slightly behind current-generation HD console versions. Moreover, earlier in 2012, sources claimed that the third-party games will not demonstrate Wii U's full potential.

Dilemmas

If true, November 23 - as a launch date - raises multiple questions about the Wii U's development: are titles being targeted for the window? Is development difficult comparable to current consoles? Why is Nintendo holding out on a date? Are games going to be bundled with the console?

As late July approaches quickly, Nintendo's secrecy could be harmful as interest from E3 2012 is going away. The price is, perhaps, Nintendo's biggest issue. Pricing the product too high could move sales towards Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or even the iPad. Low pricing will cause losses for Nintendo. Currently, the company already loses money with the current version of the Nintendo 3DS, which is due to the price cut it made earlier this year. The Nintendo 3DS XL, releasing August 19 in the U.S., isn't being produced at a loss according to Nintendo (Worldwide) president Satoru Iwata who asserted the same in a recent interview with The Independent.

Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game is based around the Dreamworks animated comedy following Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost, the Easter Bunny, and Sandman working together to defeat a villain named Perch. Players can upgrade each character's abilities and a drop-in/drop-out cooperative play with up to four players is also available. Risse of the Guardian is the kind of kid-friendly title that Wii popularized among casual gamers; however, arguably it isn't the audience Nintendo needs to capture with Wii U.

The Rise of the Guardians trailer is below and is slated for a November 23 release.