Nintendo Wii Console

Nintendo Wii Console

Product Description

Following a trend begun with the GameCube and continued with the DS handheld, Wii evidences a significant split of Nintendo's philosophy from those of its consolemaking competitors, Microsoft and Sony. As suggested by its development codename, "Revolution," Nintendo did not want this console to represent another evolution in gaming technology, but a new direction in the video game industry.

Instead of concentrating strictly on advancing the processing and graphics capabilities of its next game machine, Nintendo's research and development focused on easing accessibility, widening its audience beyond young and "hardcore" gamers, and expanding the scope of games that people make and play. With Wii, Nintendo aimed to innovate instead of simply improve.

This focus on innovation is manifest in the console's two most notable features: its controller and its backward compatibility. The Wii controller is rectangular and slender, similar to a television remote control. It is wireless and, unlike the GameCube's WaveBird, features a builtin vibration function. The wandlike Wii controller senses threedimensional motion up and down, back and forward, side to side allowing it to be aimed like laser pointer, wielded like a sword, swung like a baseball bat, cast like a fishing rod, and employed in other intuitive control schemes.

For use with games requiring conventional analog input, a thumbstick accessory, with trigger, can be plugged in the bottom of the Wii controller, to allow more traditional, twohanded manipulation. Without the thumbstick, the controller can also be turned on its side an used like a Nintendo Entertainment System gamepad, with its crossshaped Dpad beneath the left thumb and two action buttons on the right. This feature is useful for both new and old Nintendo games Wii can run.

Compared to the motionsensing controller, capacity to play games from earlier systems may seem less "revolutionary," but Wii's backward compatibility goes farther "backwards" than any previous console or handheld has gone. For a fee, Wii owners with an internet connection can gain access to an extensive offering of downloadable games from earlier generations, including releases for N64, Super NES, and even the original Nintendo Entertainment System.

Select Sega Genesis and NEC TurboGraphix games are available through the online service, as well. In addition to Nintendo's unrivaled backcatalog of classic console games, Wii can also play 8cm GameCube discs. Hidden beneath a panel on the top edge of the machine, Wii has four ports for GameCube controllers.

Games developed and released for Wii come on 12cm discs; the same size as a standard CD or DVD. In addition to downloadable games, GameCube, and Wii discs, the console can play DVD movies when it is equipped with an enabling accessory. Two slots are available for memory cards, and two USB ports can support a variety of first and thirdparty accessories.

The console itself is small and sleek. Its dimensions are often compared to the size and shape of "a stack of three DVD cases." A custom stand can be used to hold the console on its edge and at an upward angle, for easier access to the disc slot, but Wii can also be operated while laying flat. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Specifications:

Platform: Wii

Wireless Type: Wi-Fi

HDMI: No

Installed Memory: 512 MB

Accessories Included: Wireless controller

Processor: PowerPC

Game Media: Nintendo GAMECUBE disc

Slot Types Provided: Nintendo GameCube Memory Card, SD Memory Card

Memory Card : 512 MB

Controller: Remote control, Joystick

Controller Features: Motion sensor

Connector Type(s): 2 x USB 2.0, 4 x game controller, Component video output, Composite video output, S-Video output

Release Date: 2007-11-16

Manufacturer Part No.: RVLSWC

Company Info: Nintendo

Dimension: - x - x - (HxWxD)

Model: Wii

UPC: 045496880019

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User Reviews

    
    
    		
  • tuhott4u21 A WHOLE NEW EXPERIENCE


    Rated 5/5

    This is a great gaming system. It gets you off your butt and puts you right in the game. I love it!! You can play tennis, golf, boxing, and so many other things. The extra remote and nunchuck is a must have!. Once you see how fun it is you will want to play everyone that comes over. This is a great system for kids of all ages and adults that will always be young at heart! It was worth all 17 hours in the cold. Have fun & happy gaming!

  • d2n3x Most innovative and fun console EVER!


    Rated 4/5

    I'll start off saying I bought the wii on launch day and so far am more than satisfied with it. Yes, the graphics are not next gen, they are slightly better than xbox but, with time will probably find a medium between xbox and 360 graphics. Then, again if you bought it, you know you get fun and innovation, not a supercomputer as nintendo is trying to prove is better. I couldn't agree more. I have Red Steel, Zelda, Madden, and Call of duty 3. So far I think they have pretty much nailed it. The only game I have a problem with is Red Steel, the aiming system is difficult. The controller is great for any FPS, the precision is excellent. I have never felt more immursed in an FPS. Same with Zelda, I feel as if I am actually Link at times swinging my sword. Not only is it great for hardcore gamers but, also for the whole family. My dad is now playing games for the 1st time since SNES. Wii sports is fun for everybody and so is a game like Madden. Nintendo WIFI isnt up yet but will be soon. Next years line up looks unbelievable. Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3, Smash Brothers Brawl with online play. Lastly, its only $250 and is so quiet you will never even know its there. If you want the most fun out of your games, go with the wii.

  • jade856 Nintendo Wii


    Rated 5/5

    I like the wii better than the ps game system. I like being in the game. You get a great workout. I am a 52 year old women that has totally fallen in Love with the wii. I particularlym love the bowling. But all of the sports games are fun. Way to go Nintendo!!

  • dragoonkasuna Awesome system


    Rated 5/5

    I love this system as soon as it was shown as the revolution and then switched to wii which I like it's pretty nice in my opinion also the controller is nice I was finally able to test it at gamestop and later at my friends it's so much fun, right now best game to play with others i'd say Rayman: raving rabbids and Wii-sports.

    The Legend of Zelda:Twilight Princess is great I only played it some at my friends house I didn't want to play alot of it till I get my own wii to enjoy it so I only have a small impression of it, but it's great the manual is nice, the boxart and the disc is really nice any zelda fan would love it only if the game case was gold that would made it even better.

    Zelda:TP is pretty muchly a port of the GC version, but it's great none the less I reccamend you to buy this if you will be getting a wii anytime soon both GC and Wii version is pretty muchly the same, but the controller and some minor differences on the wii with widescreen etc. I give this game 6/6

  • cubidude2 Wii


    Rated 5/5

    Lets face it. Nintendo has been making games since long before the Xbox or Playstation. the graphics may not be the best of the three, but hey, i still think the N64's graphics are pretty good. besides, the only thing i can think of that really needs top-notch graphics are FPS, such as Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter, so you can snipe enemies without a scope from across the course. Sure, graphics are nice, but when you have games like Super Smash Bors. Brawl or The Ledgend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, who really cares? Mario/Link still looked good enough in their NES days,
    AND their games were tons of fun. Who needs graphics if you have crappy games(GTA is the most horrifically violent and pointless game i have ever played)? oh yea, and did i mention that you can play pretty much any nintendo game? yea, i'm pretty sure you can download them onto the Wii. thats like getting 5 systems for $250. So would you rather spend an extra $350 for a playstation, or get a Wii AND Xbox360? seriously, $600 is ridiculous. so, in review, buy a Wii!!!
    -Cubidude2