Nintendo Console Wii - The next Generation In Video Games Consoles

A distinguishing feature of the console wii is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, this can be used as a hand held pointing device and can detect all motion and rotation in a three dimension plane. Another is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode, all within the Nintendo console wii.

The Nintendo DS is stated to have influenced the Wii design. Designer Ken'ichiro Ashida noted "We had the DS on our minds as we worked on the Wii. We thought about copying the DS's touch-panel interface and even came up with a prototype." The idea was eventually rejected, with the notion that the two gaming systems would be identical. Miyamoto also expressed that "if the DS had flopped, we might have taken the Wii back to the drawing board."

On September 14, 2006, Nintendo announced release information for Japan, North and South America, Australasia (Oceania), Asia, and Europe, including dates, prices, and projected unit distribution numbers.

At an earlier policy briefing, Nintendo revealed plans to release 6 million console units and 17 million software units during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007. This included the 4 million or more console units they expected to ship by the end of the 2006 calendar year.

It was announced that the majority of the 2006 shipments would be allotted to the Americas, and that 33 titles would be available in the 2006 launch window. As reported, the United Kingdom suffered a large shortage of console units as many high-street and online stores were unable to fulfill all preorders when it was released on December 8, 2006.As of March 2007, some UK stores still had a shortage of consoles,and as of June 2007, demand still outpaced supply in US.

Nintendo GameCube ports on the top of the console Wii unit
Nintendo GameCube ports on the top of the console Wii unit

The console Wii is backward compatible with all official Nintendo GameCube software, as well as Nintendo GameCube Memory Cards and controllers.

Compatibility with software is achieved with the slot-loading drive's ability to accept Nintendo GameCube Game Discs.

The console supports progressive-scan output in 480p-enabled Nintendo GameCube titles. The Wii is also compatible with the GameCube Action Replay, which will work with GameCube games. Peripherals can be connected via a set of four GameCube controller ports and two Memory Card slots concealed by removable flip-open panels.[1] A GameCube controller is required to play GameCube titles, as neither the Wii Remote nor the Classic Controller functions in this capacity. A Nintendo GameCube Memory Card is also necessary to save, as the console Wii's internal flash memory will not save GameCube games.

Backward compatibility is limited in some areas. Online and LAN-enabled features for Nintendo GameCube titles are unavailable on the Wii, as the console lacks serial ports for the Broadband Adapter and Modem Adapter. The Wii uses a proprietary port for video output and is therefore incompatible with Nintendo GameCube composite video, S-Video, and component video cables. The console also lacks Game Boy Player support.