Nintendo has announced Minecraft: Wii U Edition for launch next Thursday, 17th December.

Image credit: vodkaffee.deviantart.com

The game was previously spotted via a ratings board listing, but this is the first we've heard of the game officially.

Minecraft on Wii U will feature off-TV play on the GamePad controller and will come bundled with a number of content packs.

16 further add-ons will be available to buy and add to the game separately, with more due in the future.

Intriguingly, Nintendo has said it is working with Mojang on special theme packs - presumably Nintendo skins and themes for the game. More will be revealed at a later date.

Minecraft: Wii U Edition is the first new console port of Minecraft announced since Microsoft bought developer Mojang and the rights to the popular sandbox game.

It means that, just as on PlayStation, Microsoft will benefit from every copy sold and add-on that players buy, even on Wii U.

All the content packs included or available to purchase separately at launch are listed below:

Included:

Battle & Beasts Skin Pack

Battle & Beasts 2 Skin Pack

Natural Texture Pack

City Texture Pack

Fantasy Texture Pack

Festive Mash-up Pack

Add-ons available at launch

Festive Skin Pack

The Simpsons Skin Pack

Doctor Who Skins Volume 1

Doctor Who Skins Volume 2

Star Wars Classic Skin Pack

Star Wars Rebels Skin Pack

Star Wars Prequel Skin Pack

Mass Effect Mash-up Pack

Skyrim Mash-up Pack

Plastic Texture Pack

Candy Texture Pack

Cartoon Texture Pack

Steampunk Texture Pack

Pattern Texture Pack

Greek Mythology Mash-up Pack

Halloween 2015 Mash-up Pack

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