Nintendo’s Mario & Luigi Wii U bundle includes ‘two’ games, launches Nov. 1

Nintendo is getting aggressive in its efforts to push Wii Us out the door.

The company revealed a new bundle for its home console that includes two games … well, more like one-and-a-half games. It’s the Mario & Luigi Wii U Deluxe Set, and it includes New Super Mario Bros. U and the New Super Luigi U downloadable content that Nintendo also sold as a separate disc at retail.

New Super Mario Bros. U is the latest entry in the Mario 2D platforming series, and it launched alongside the Wii U in 2012. New Super Luigi U is an expansion to the other game, which focused on Luigi in difficult levels.

This new configuration will debut at retail Nov. 1 for $300, which is the same price Nintendo was previously charging for the Wii U Deluxe with Nintendo Land. The console manufacturer is phasing out that package. Nintendo Land will also hit retail shelves and go on sale on Nintendo’s digital eShop store for $30 Nov. 1.

“This new Wii U configuration gives people instant access to not one but two of the most well-received Wii U games,” Nintendo of America executive vice president of marketing Scott Moffitt said in a statement. “It’s another example of the tremendous value and variety that Nintendo is offering consumers this holiday season.”

Nintendo’s Wii U didn’t have an easy first year. The console struggled to find an audience and sales slowed to a trickle. In September, the company cut the price of Wii U by $50, and sales increased 200 percent following that move.

Wii U is only going to have a more difficult time grabbing gamers’ attention as Sony and Microsoft launch their next-gen systems. PlayStation 4 is $400 and launches Nov. 15. Xbox One is $500 and will debut a week later on Nov. 22.