Nintendo's Wii video game system (pronounced "we") is designed
to
attract people, regardless of their age or video game experience, to
sit down and play together--whether they're in the same room or on
different sides of the globe. The system's name reflects this simple
idea. It's easily pronounced in a variety of languages, and the
distinctive spelling suggests two players side by side. The two Wii
features Nintendo thinks will create new levels of gaming community are
built-in Wi-Fi access, supported by a new online gaming service, and
Wii's intuitive, wireless, motion-sensitive game controller.
As
with every new console release, much of the buzz surrounds the specs.
The system boasts 512 MB of internal flash memory, two USB 2.0 ports,
and a slot for SD memory expansion. Wii's technological heart -- a
processing chip developed with IBM and code-named "Broadway" and a
graphics chipset from ATI code-named "Hollywood" -- are said to deliver
stunning performance. Instead of a tray, Wii uses a single,
self-loading media bay that will play both 12-centimeter optical discs
used for the new system, as well as Nintendo GameCube discs.
The
real revolution in this system, though, is its controller, called the
Wii Remote. Shaped like a TV remote, it's been designed to be easily
used by beginners and pros alike. Sensors determine the Wii Remote's
position is in 3-D space, which means that racing-game steering and a
tennis swing, for example, are done through movements of your hand
rather than by just your thumbs. What's more, a tiny speaker built into
the Wii Remote promises some interactive surround sound experiences.
The controller also has a force feedback "Rumble" feature and an
expansionport for use with accessories, such as the Nunchuck, which
adds an analog thumbstick and trigger buttons. An adapter that fits
over the Wii's wee remote will be available for those who prefer the
feel of a traditional controller. The Wii Remote communicates via the
Bluetooth wireless standard. Up to four remotes can connect to Wii.
Wii
offers superb backward compatibility -- the cornerstone of Nintendo's
all-access approach. This new console will play fan-favourite games
from Nintendo's 20-year-old library. The drive is compatible with
GameCube discs, and select Nintendo titles from the original NES of the
1980s all the way through the Nintendo 64 will be available through for
download through the Virtual Console. As if that weren't enough, the
Virtual Console will also make available a few titles from SNES console
contemporaries, Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx 16.
Several new titles have been confirmed for Wii, including Super
Mario Galaxy, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight
Princess, and Metroid Prime 3 Corruption,
as well as Square Enix's Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles.
A number of Wi-Fi-enabled titles are in development that will
employ
Nintendo's newly-announced wireless gaming service, WiiConnect24. This
worldwide network promises Nintendo players a comfortable, inviting
environment in which they can gather and compete. The always-on network
will deliver game updates and surprises, even when the Wii is powered
down. And as you would expect, Wii will be able to communicate with the
Nintendo DS mobile gaming system wirelessly.
The Wii console
will revolutionise how people play games. But more importantly, it will
entice new players into the world of video games by offering a variety
of entertainment, information and communication Channels that add value
to the console and make it a device that the entire family can enjoy.
The Wii Channel Menu will be the first screen shown on the television,
as it easily integrates itself as part of people’s everyday
lives.
Disc Channel: This channel allows users to
play either Wii game discs or the entire library of Nintendo GameCube
discs.
Mii Channel: Fun
caricatured portraits created in this channel can be used as characters
across a variety of Wii software. Portraits can be stored in a
user’s
Wii Remote and taken to a friend’s house to play on another
Wii
console. Each member of the family can have his or her Wii Remote
personalized with a caricature.
Photo Channel: This
channel allows users to take digital pictures stored on an SD memory
card and display them on their television screens. Users also can
manipulate the photos in a variety of fun and creative ways, such as
zooming or creating mosaics, puzzles or slide shows. They can draw, add
stamps, and copy and paste. They also can change the "mood" of photos
by brightening them, converting them to monochrome, inverting the
colour or changing them to stark black and white. Users can even add an
MP3 tune to their slide shows. It provides a fun and easy outlet for
people to edit their digital pictures. Users also can send their
pictures to other Wii consoles by attaching a photo to the Wii Message
Board.
Forecast Channel: Users who have connected
their
Wii console to the Internet can access free local weather forecasts
just a few seconds after turning on the Wii console. The WiiConnect24
service automatically updates local weather information. Users can view
forecasts for cities around the world on a 3-D globe.
News Channel: Users
can access breaking news with the touch of a button. When connected to
the Internet, the WiiConnect24 service automatically updates this free
channel and organizes it in a variety of topical categories. Users can
see where news is happening by viewing the location of news stories on
a 3-D globe.
Wii Shop Channel: This is where users go
to
buy Wii Points or redeem them to download classic video games to the
Virtual Console. Users also can use points to download the Opera
browser used in the Internet Channel.
Internet Channel:
This channel dramatically changes the relationship between a
user’s
home, the television and the Internet. Users download the Opera browser
with Wii Points. Then they can surf the Internet right from the comfort
of their couch. They can do quick research while watching a television
program ("What was that actor’s name again?"). Or book travel
plans and
shop during commercials. The service is compatible with Macromedia
Flash.
Wii Message Board: Forget hand-scrawled
notes
tacked to the refrigerator door. Users can leave messages for other
family members on a calendar-based message board. They also can use
WiiConnect24 to send messages to people outside the home as well. Even
better, people can trade photos and text messages with cell phone
users. The service also allows for incoming messages targeted at
software, such as a new map or weapon for a game. Games can constantly
be updated, thereby extending their playability.