Our Price: $269.99
Release Date: 8/1/2009
UPC: 4902370517811
Genre: System
Company: Nintendo
Version: Japan
Nintendo's next-generation gaming system is a far cry from their previous consoles - and possibly every other console out there! This compact but powerful next-gen console was previously announced under the name "Revolution" before being changed to Wii, a name meant to evoke a sense of community (i.e., "we"). The uniqueness of Wii starts with its controller, called the Wii Remote. This one-handed, wireless (via Bluetooth) controller resembles a remote control, but is able to do much, much more. When rotated 90 degrees, the Wii Remote can be used like a standard Nintendo gamepad, with a D-pad and various buttons at the gamer's fingertips, which allows for control of classic games, available through an online channel called the Virtual Console.
Features
- Nintendo's next-generation gaming system is a far cry from their previous consoles - and possibly every other console out there! This compact but powerful next-gen console was previously announced under the name "Revolution" before being changed to Wii, a name meant to evoke a sense of community (i.e., "we"). The uniqueness of Wii starts with its controller, called the Wii Remote. This one-handed, wireless (via Bluetooth) controller resembles a remote control, but is able to do much, much more. When rotated 90 degrees, the Wii Remote can be used like a standard Nintendo gamepad, with a D-pad and various buttons at the gamer's fingertips, which allows for control of classic games, available through an online channel called the Virtual Console.
- However, the big innovation for the Wii Remote is its revolutionary interactive functions. The Wii Remote contains an accelerometer, which allows it to sense linear motion along three axes, as well as tilt. The controller can also be used as a "light gun", and features force-feedback and even its own internal audio speaker capable of an enhanced depth of sound field. What this means is that the Wii Remote allows the gamer to control onscreen action in an entirely new way. If your onscreen character wields a sword, moving the Wii remote through three-dimensional space will cause the character to swing their sword. Various add-ons can be attached to the Wii Remote, creating further gameplay options. A Nunchuk controller allows players to practice more dynamic movement with the Wii Remote, and a "Zapper shell" can be attached to further enhance the controller's light gun capabilities.
- The Wii is also backwards compatible with the Nintendo Gamecube, and even has ports for Gamecube controllers and memory cards. Built-in Wi-Fi allows the gamer to connect to either their Nintendo DS or the Internet, which can also be accessed via a USB-to-Ethernet adaptor. The system's operating interface is also unlike any other: it's designed to resemble television channels, which can be customized by the user. Channels can be designated to boot the loaded game disc, play selected Virtual Console games, access the Internet, create a personalized avatar for online play and communication, and many more functions.
