Edit filter log

'{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}} {{About|the console released in 2006|its successor|Wii U|other uses}} <!-- NOTE TO EDITORS: If you have not already done so, please read the discussion page regarding controversial or unclear areas before editing. --> {{pp-move-indef}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2016}} {{featured article}} {{Infobox information appliance | logo = Wii.svg | logo_size = 110px | logo_alt = Wii logo | image = [[File:Wii-console.jpg|250px]] <br/> [[File:Wii-Mini-Console-Set-H.jpg|250px]] | image_size = 260px | alt = Wii with Wii Remote | caption = Top image: Original Wii console with [[Wii Remote]] (2006)<br/>Bottom image: Latest model [[Wii#Wii Mini|Wii Mini]] (2012) | aka = Revolution <small>(code name)</small> | developer = [[Nintendo]] | manufacturer = [[Foxconn]] | type = [[Home video game console]] | generation = [[Seventh generation of video game consoles|Seventh generation]] | releasedate = {{collapsible list| title=November 19, 2006| '''Wii''' {{vgrelease|NA|November 19, 2006<ref name=NArelease>{{cite web|first1=Kathleen|last1=Sanders|first2=Matt|last2=Casamassina|url=http://ign.com/articles/2006/09/14/us-wii-price-launch-date-revealed|title=US Wii Price, Launch Date Revealed|publisher=IGN|date=September 13, 2006|accessdate=January 17, 2015}}</ref>|JP|December 2, 2006<ref name=JPrelease>{{cite web|last1=Sanders|first1=Kathleen|title=Japanese Wii Price, Release Date Revealed|url=http://ign.com/articles/2006/09/14/japanese-wii-price-release-date-revealed|website=IGN|accessdate=January 17, 2015|date=September 13, 2006}}</ref>|AUS|December 7, 2006<ref name=AUSrelease>{{cite web|author1=Nintendo Australia|title=Wii Australian Details|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/pr/12068/wii-australian-details|website=Nintendo World Report|accessdate=January 17, 2015|date=September 15, 2006}}</ref>|EU|December 8, 2006<ref name=EUrelease>{{cite web|author1=Nintendo of Europe|title=Europe Gets Wii Last|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/pr/12069/europe-gets-wii-last|website=Nintendo World Report|accessdate=January 17, 2015|date=September 15, 2006}}</ref>}} '''[[#Family Edition|Wii Family Edition]]''' {{vgrelease|NA|October 23, 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=New black Wii bundle includes Mario CD |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/31328/newsnew-black-wii-bundle-includes-mario-cd/ |work=[[Nintendo]] |accessdate=November 23, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114130448/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/31328/newsnew-black-wii-bundle-includes-mario-cd/ |archivedate=November 14, 2011 |df= }}</ref>|EU|November 4, 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=Nintendo launches Wii Family Edition on 4th November and Wii Fit Plus bundle on 2nd December|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2011/45337.html|work=[[Nintendo]]|accessdate=November 23, 2011}}</ref>|AUS|November 11, 2011}} '''[[#Wii Mini|Wii Mini]]''' {{vgrelease|CAN|December 7, 2012<ref name="NinWiiMini">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/ONIEEqvK1pbPyTbW2lWO6QnPUiqqvuuI |title=Nintendo introduces Wii Mini that's all about games|publisher=Nintendo of Canada|date=November 22, 2012|accessdate=November 27, 2012}}</ref>|EU|March 22, 2013<ref name=EUmini>{{cite web|last1=Reynolds|first1=Matthew|title=Wii Mini confirmed for Europe, launching next month|url=http://www.digitalspy.com.au/gaming/news/a461694/wii-mini-confirmed-for-europe-launching-next-month.html|website=Digital Spy|accessdate=January 17, 2015|date=February 26, 2013}}</ref>|NA|November 17, 2013<ref name="USmini">{{cite web|title=Wii mini Official Site - Buy Now|url=https://www.nintendo.com/wiimini/buynow/|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=November 7, 2013}}</ref>}} }} | lifespan = 2006–2011 <small>(original model)</small><br />2011–2013 <small>(Wii Family Edition)</small><br />2012–2017 <small>(Wii Mini)</small> | price = {{ubl|[[United States dollar|US$]]249.99|[[Japanese yen|JP¥]]25,000|[[Pound sterling|£]]179.99|[[Australian dollar|AU$]]399.95}}<small>([[Wii launch#Release dates and pricing|details]])</small> | discontinued = '''Wii (overall)'''{{vgrelease|JP|October 20, 2013<ref name=engadget-discontinue /><ref name=GSJapOnly>{{cite web|last=Makuch |first=Eddie |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/wii-discontinuation-in-japan-won-t-affect-availability-in-united-states/1100-6415717/ |title=Wii discontinuation in Japan won't affect availability in United States |publisher=GameSpot |date=October 22, 2013 |accessdate=October 24, 2013}}</ref>}} '''Wii (original model)'''{{vgrelease|NA|October 2011|EU|November 2011|AUS|November 2011|}} '''Wii Family Edition'''{{vgrelease|EU|October 20, 2013<ref name="mcvuk1">{{cite web|last=Parfitt |first=Ben |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/time-also-called-on-wii-in-europe/0123162 |title=Time also called on Wii in Europe &#124; Games industry news &#124; MCV |publisher=Mcvuk.com |date=October 24, 2013 |accessdate=October 25, 2013}}</ref>|NA|2013}} '''Wii Mini'''{{vgrelease|WW|2017}} | unitssold = Worldwide: 101.63&nbsp;million <small>({{as of|2016|03|31|lc=y|df=US}})</small><!--<ref name="nintendosales"/>--><!-- SEE DISCUSSION PAGE ON SALES NUMBER --> <small>([[Wii#System Sales|details]])</small> | unitsshipped = | media = {{collapsible list|titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left|title=Physical and digital| * [[Wii Optical Disc]] * [[GameCube Game Disc]] <small>(first model only)</small> * [[Digital distribution in video games|Digital distribution]] <small>([[Wii Shop Channel]])</small> }} | os = [[Wii system software]] | cpu = 729&nbsp;MHz [[IBM]] [[PowerPC]] "[[Broadway (microprocessor)|Broadway]]"<ref name="Wii: The Total Story" /> | memory = 88&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] (total), 24&nbsp;MB MoSys 1T-SRAM, 324&nbsp;MHz, 2.7&nbsp;GB/s bandwidth | storage = 512&nbsp;MB Internal [[flash memory]] | memory card = [[Secure Digital|SD]]/[[SDHC]] card<br />[[GameCube Memory Card]] <small>(first model only)</small> | display = {{collapsible list| title=Video output formats| * [[Composite video]] <small>([[480i]], [[576i]]&nbsp;(PAL))</small> * [[S-Video]] <small>(480i&nbsp;(NTSC consoles only))</small> * RGB&nbsp;[[SCART]] <small>(576i&nbsp;(PAL consoles only))</small> * [[Component video]] ([[YPbPr|{{YPbPr}}]]) <small>(480i, 576i&nbsp;(PAL), [[480p]])</small> }} | GPU = 243&nbsp;MHz [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] [[Hollywood (graphics chip)|"Hollywood"]]<ref name="Wii: The Total Story" /> | controllers = [[Wii Remote]] ([[Wii Remote Plus|Plus]]), [[Wii Balance Board]], [[Nintendo GameCube controller]] <small>(first model only)</small>, [[Nintendo DS]]<ref name="connectivity returns"/><!-- SEE DISCUSSION ON CLASSIC CONTROLLER --> | connectivity = [[Wi-Fi]] [[IEEE 802.11]] [[IEEE 802.11b-1999|b]]/[[IEEE 802.11g-2003|g]]<br />[[Bluetooth]]<br />2 × [[Universal Serial Bus|USB 2.0]]<ref name=1upspec>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3154939|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160522225319/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3154939|dead-url=yes|archive-date=May 22, 2016|title=Wii Get It Now: Technical Specs from 1UP.com|publisher=1up.com|accessdate=May 2, 2008|last=McDonough|first=Amy}}</ref><br />[[Local area network|LAN]] Adapter (via USB) | service = [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]] <small>(closed May 20, 2014)</small>,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/network/en_na/network_status.jsp|title=- Nintendo - Current Network Status| accessdate=December 5, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/vyWpoM6CBIe6FjW8NIY7bvzOrgBURhzw|title=Nintendo|work=Nintendo.com | accessdate=December 5, 2014}}</ref> [[WiiConnect24]] <small>(closed June 28, 2013)</small>,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/04/nintendo_to_pull_the_plug_on_several_online_wii_channels|title=Nintendo to Pull the Plug on Several Online Wii Channels|author=Nintendo Life|work=Nintendo Life|accessdate=December 5, 2014}}</ref> [[Wii Shop Channel]] <small>(closing January 30, 2019)</small><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/29/16386918/wii-shop-channel-closing-nintendo|title=Wii Shop Channel closing down in 2019|work=Polygon|access-date=2018-07-29}}</ref><!-- As quoted by Iwata, "Using a design called WiiConnect24, the console automatically enters standby mode without the fan running, but still operating key functions." This does not at all say that the online service itself is WiiConnect24. --> | topgame = ''[[Wii Sports]]'' <small>([[Pack-in game|pack-in]], except in Japan and South Korea)</small> 82.85&nbsp;million <small>({{as of|2018|03|31|lc=y|df=US}})</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/wii.html|title=IR Information : Sales Data - Top Selling Software Sales Units - Wii Software|work=Nintendo Co., Ltd.}}</ref><br /> ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', 37.10&nbsp;million <small>({{as of|2018|03|31|lc=y|df=US}})</small><ref name=wiim15>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/wii.html |title=Top Selling Software Sales Units|date=March 31, 2018|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd. |accessdate=April 26, 2018}}</ref> | compatibility = [[GameCube]] <small>(first model only)</small> <!-- Hardware compatibility only. Do not list Virtual Console as "compatible". Actual compatibility is with physical media, not emulated software. --> | predecessor = GameCube<!-- Stop linking this. It is already linked above. See [[WP:MOS]] for more info. --> | successor = [[Wii U]] | title = Wii }} The '''Wii''' ({{IPAc-en|w|iː}} {{respell|WEE}}) is a [[home video game console]] released by [[Nintendo]] on November 19, 2006. As a [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|seventh-generation]] console, the Wii competed with [[Microsoft]]'s [[Xbox 360]] and [[Sony Computer Entertainment|Sony]]'s [[PlayStation 3]]. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others.<ref name="USA Today">{{cite news|url= https://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-08-14-nintendo-qa_x.htm|title=Nintendo hopes Wii spells wiinner|accessdate=August 16, 2006|date =August 15, 2006|publisher=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> {{as of|2012|alt=As of the first quarter of 2012}}, the Wii lead its generation over the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in worldwide sales,<ref name="earnings release Q3 2009">{{cite web |title=Consolidated Financial Highlights |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2009/091029e.pdf#page=9 |publisher=Nintendo |format=PDF |page=9 |date=October 29, 2009 |accessdate=October 29, 2009}}</ref> with more than 101&nbsp;million units sold; in December 2009, the console broke the sales record for a single month in the United States.<ref name="NPD: Wii, DS Sales Topped Seven Million In December">{{cite web|title= Wii and DS thrash competition in US News |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/wii-and-ds-thrash-competition-in-us|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]|date=January 14, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2010}}</ref> The Wii introduced the [[Wii Remote]]<!-- See Talk page discussion on "wiimote". --> [[Game controller|controller]], which can be used as a handheld [[pointing device]] and which [[accelerometer|detects movement]] in [[three-dimensional space|three dimensions]]. Another feature of the console is the now defunct [[WiiConnect24]], which enabled it to receive messages and updates over the [[Internet]] while in [[Sleep mode|standby mode]].<ref name="Iwata Speech 06">[https://web.archive.org/web/20060604061842/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3_2006/speech/english.html Nintendo Corporation] - Nintendo President, Satoru Iwata, media briefing speech at E3 2006</ref> Like other seventh-generation consoles, it features a game download service, called "[[Virtual Console]]", which features [[Video game console emulator|emulated]] games from past nintendo consoles. It succeeded the [[GameCube]], and early models are fully [[Backward compatibility|backward-compatible]] with all GameCube games and most accessories. Nintendo first spoke of the console at the [[History of the Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2004]] [[News conference|press conference]] and later unveiled it at [[History of the Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2005]]. Nintendo CEO [[Satoru Iwata]] revealed a prototype of the controller at the September 2005 [[Tokyo Game Show]].<ref name="TGSspeech">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6133389.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929224814/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6133389.html|archivedate=September 29, 2007|title=TGS 2005: Iwata speaks|accessdate= September 24, 2006|last=Sinclair|first=Brendan|author2=Torres, Ricardo |date= September 16, 2005|publisher=GameSpot}}</ref> At [[History of the Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2006]], the console won the first of several awards.<ref name="E3 Awards" /> By December 8, 2006, it had completed [[Wii launch|its launch]] in the four key markets.<!-- Please go to the talk page if you debate any of the following for any reason --> In late 2011, Nintendo released a reconfigured model, the "[[#Family Edition|Wii Family Edition]]", which lacks Nintendo GameCube compatibility; this model was not released in Japan. The [[#Wii Mini|Wii Mini]], Nintendo's first major console redesign since the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Model SNS-101)|compact SNES]], succeeded the standard Wii model and was released first in Canada on December 7, 2012. The Wii Mini can only play [[Nintendo optical disc|Wii optical discs]], as it omits GameCube compatibility and all [[Computer network|networking]] capabilities; this model was not released in Japan, Australia, or New Zealand. The Wii's successor, the [[Wii U]], was released on November 18, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Walton|first=Mark|title=Wii U arriving this holiday season|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/wii-u-arriving-this-holiday-season-6349231|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217145201/http://www.gamespot.com/news/wii-u-arriving-this-holiday-season-6349231|archivedate=February 17, 2012|work=GameSpot.com|publisher=CNet|date=January 26, 2012|accessdate=February 23, 2012}}</ref> On October 20, 2013, Nintendo confirmed it had discontinued production of the Wii in Japan and Europe.<ref name=engadget-discontinue>{{Cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/10/20/nintendo-stops-selling-wii-consoles-in-japan/|publisher=[[Engadget]]|date=October 20, 2013|accessdate=October 20, 2013|author=Jon Fingas|title=Nintendo stops selling Wii consoles in Japan}}</ref><ref name=GSJapOnly/><ref name="mcvuk1"/> ==History== {{See also|History of video game consoles (seventh generation)}} The console was conceived in 2001, as the [[Nintendo GameCube]] was first released. According to an interview with Nintendo game designer [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], the concept involved focusing on a new form of player interaction. "The consensus was that power isn't everything for a console. Too many powerful consoles can't coexist. It's like having only ferocious [[dinosaur]]s. They might fight and hasten their own extinction."<ref name="Miyamoto Speaks">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2006/tc20061116_750580.htm|title=The Big Ideas Behind Nintendo's Wii|accessdate=February 2, 2007|work=[[Business Week]]| first=Kenji|last=Hall}}</ref> In 2003, game [[game engine|engineers]] and [[Game designer|designers]] were brought together to develop the concept further. By 2005 the controller interface had taken form, but a public showing at that year's [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] (E3) was canceled. Miyamoto stated that the company "had some troubleshooting to do. So we decided not to reveal the controller and instead we displayed just the console."<ref name="Miyamoto Speaks" /> Nintendo president [[Satoru Iwata]] later unveiled and demonstrated the [[Wii Remote]] at the September [[Tokyo Game Show]].<ref name="TGSspeech" /> The [[Nintendo DS]] is said to have influenced the Wii's 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 because of the notion that the two gaming systems would be identical. Miyamoto also stated, "[...] if the DS had flopped, we might have taken the Wii back to the drawing board."<ref name="Miyamoto Speaks" /> In June 2011 Nintendo unveiled the prototype of its successor to the Wii, to be known as the [[Wii U]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/08/arts/video-games/nintendo-unveils-its-video-game-successor-to-the-wii.html?_r=1&ref=technology |title=Nintendo Unveils Successor to the Wii |author= Seth Schiesel |date=June 7, 2011 |work=The New York Times |publisher= |accessdate=June 7, 2011}}</ref> ===Name=== The console was known by the code name "Revolution" until April 27, 2006, immediately before [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]].<ref name="revolution renamed to wii">{{cite web|url=http://www.consolewatcher.com/2006/05/nintedo-revolution-renamed-to-nintendo-wii/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105041140/http://www.consolewatcher.com/2006/05/nintedo-revolution-renamed-to-nintendo-wii/|archivedate=November 5, 2006|publisher=Console Watcher|work=Console Watcher|title=Nintendo Revolution Renamed To Nintendo Wii|accessdate= November 3, 2006}}</ref> Nintendo's spelling of "Wii" (with two lower-case "i" characters) is intended to resemble two people standing side-by-side (representing players gathering together) and to represent the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.<ref name="introducing_wii">{{cite web|url =http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9075|publisher=CMP|work=Gamasutra| title=Breaking: Nintendo Announces New Revolution Name - 'Wii'|accessdate=September 16, 2006}}</ref> One reason the company has given for this name choice since the announcement is: {{quote box | quote = Wii sounds like 'we', which emphasizes that the console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion.<ref name="introducing_wii"/> | align = left }}{{clear left}} Some [[video game developer]]s and members of the press stated that they preferred "Revolution" over "Wii".<ref name="gamasutra_dev_interviews">{{cite news|title=Wii Reactions: Developers Comment|first=Brandon|last=Sheffield|url=http://gamasutra.com/features/20060501/sheffield_01.shtml|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|date= May 1, 2006|accessdate=June 15, 2008}}</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' expressed a fear "that the name would convey a continued sense of 'kidiness' to the console."<ref name="forbes_criticism">{{cite news|title=Iwata's Nintendo Lampooned For 'Wii' |first=Parmy |last=Olson |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6IOGqktjs?url=http://www.forbes.com/2006/04/28/nintendo-wii-console-cx_po_0428autofacescan08.html |archivedate=July 26, 2013 |url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/04/28/nintendo-wii-console-cx_po_0428autofacescan08.html |publisher=[[Forbes]] |date=April 28, 2006 |accessdate=June 15, 2008 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> The [[BBC]] reported the day after the name was announced that "a long list of puerile jokes, based on the name," had appeared on the Internet.<ref name="BBC article">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4953650.stm|publisher=BBC|accessdate=March 14, 2007|title=Nintendo name swap sparks satire | date=April 28, 2006}}</ref> Nintendo of America's Vice President of Corporate Affairs Perrin Kaplan defended the choice of "Wii" over "Revolution" and responded to critics of the name, stating "Live with it, sleep with it, eat with it, move along with it and hopefully they'll arrive at the same place."<ref name="IGN Kaplan Interview">{{cite news|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/703/703593p1.html|accessdate =March 14, 2007|publisher=IGN|title=Nintendo Talks to IGN about Wii}}</ref> Nintendo of America's president [[Reggie Fils-Aime]] acknowledged the initial reaction and further explained the change: {{quote box | quote = Revolution as a name is not ideal; it's long, and in some cultures, it's hard to pronounce. So we wanted something that was short, to the point, easy to pronounce, and distinctive. That's how 'Wii,' as a console name, was created.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Michael | last1=Donahoe | first2=Shane | last2=Bettenhausen|title=War of the Words|page=25|publisher=Electronic Gaming Monthly|date=July 2006}}</ref> | align = left }}{{clear left}} Nintendo has stated that the official plural form is "Wii systems" or "Wii consoles."<ref name="The plural of Wii">{{cite news|publisher=Nintendo|url= http://gonintendo.com/?p=7288|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071223020344/http://gonintendo.com/?p=7288|archivedate=December 23, 2007|title=The Plural of Wii|accessdate=November 27, 2006}}</ref> The Nintendo Style Guide refers to the console as "simply Wii, not Nintendo Wii",<ref>{{cite web|title=Nintendo Style Guide|url=http://cryptosystem.org/lcvg/e32k6/Corporate/FACT_Nintendo_style_guide_FINAL.pdf|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=April 26, 2013}}</ref> making it the first home console Nintendo has marketed outside Japan without the company name in its trademark.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wii U & Nintendo's Brand Confusion|url=http://www.crit-hit.net/wii-u-nintendos-brand-confusion/|publisher=A Critical Hit!|accessdate=April 26, 2013|author=Critical Kate|date=June 8, 2011}}</ref> The Wii's successor, the [[Wii U]], was also marketed without Nintendo in its name, although its successor, the [[Nintendo Switch]], brought back the Nintendo name in marketing. ===Launch=== [[File:Wii Blockbuster Display.jpg|thumb|Wii retail display boxes|alt=Stack of Wii display boxes in store]] {{Main article|Wii launch}} On September 14, 2006 Nintendo announced release information for Japan, [[North America|North]] and [[South America]], [[Oceania]], [[Asia]] and [[Europe]] including dates, prices, and projected unit-distribution figures. It was announced that the majority of the 2006 shipments would be allotted to the Americas, and 33 titles would be available at its launch.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nintendo to Sell Wii Console in November|agency=Associated Press|work=Gadget Guru|url= http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Sep14/0,4670,NintendoWii,00.html|accessdate=October 29, 2006}} See also: {{cite web|last=Rodriguez|first =Steven|date=November 14, 2006|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=12402|title=The Twenty Wii Launch Games|publisher=[[Nintendo World Report|Planet GameCube]]|accessdate=November 14, 2006}}</ref> The Wii was launched in the United States on November 19, 2006 for $249.99,<ref name=NArelease/> and was later launched in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2006 for £179.<ref name=EUrelease/> The United Kingdom experienced a widespread shortage of Wii units in many High-Street and online stores, and was unable to fulfill all pre-orders at its release.<ref name="UKWii Shortage">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6161717.stm| title=Wii shortages frustrating gamers|date=December 8, 2006| accessdate=December 8, 2006|publisher=BBC}}</ref> The Wii was launched in South Korea on April 26, 2008<ref>{{cite web|author1=RawmeatCowboy|title=Korea - Wii launch date confirmed, and more info|url=http://gonintendo.com/?p=40152|website=Go Nintendo|accessdate=January 17, 2015|date=April 13, 2008}}</ref> and Taiwan on July 12, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/wii-to-release-in-taiwan-july-12|title=Wii to Release in Taiwan, July 12|publisher=[[Eurogamer|GamesIndustry.biz]]|last=Martin|first=Matt|date=June 26, 2008|accessdate= June 26, 2008}}</ref> {{clear}} ==Software library== {{See also|List of Wii games|List of products published by Nintendo|List of WiiWare games|Virtual Console}} [[File:Wii-optical-case.png|thumb|Wii optical disc in case|alt=Wii disc in open case]] Retail copies of games are supplied on proprietary, [[DVD]]-type [[Nintendo optical disc|Wii optical discs]], which are packaged in [[keep case]]s with instructions. In Europe, the boxes have a triangle at the bottom corner of the paper sleeve-insert side. The triangle is color-coded to identify the region for which the title is intended and which manual languages are included. The console supports [[regional lockout]] (software purchased in a region can be only played on that region's hardware).<ref name="notregionfree">{{cite web|url= http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/15/wii-not-even-remotely-region-free/|first=Ludwig|last=Kietzmann|date=September 14, 2006|title=Wii not even remotely region-free|publisher=Joystiq|accessdate=December 6, 2006}}</ref> New games in Nintendo's flagship franchises (including ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'', ''[[Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'', ''[[Pokémon (video game series)|Pokémon]]'', and ''[[Metroid]]'') have been released, in addition to many original titles and third-party-developed games. Nintendo has received third-party support from companies such as [[Ubisoft]], [[Sega]], [[Square Enix]], [[Activision Blizzard]], [[Electronic Arts]] and [[Capcom]], with more games being developed for Wii than for the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wii Has Most Exclusive Games In Pipeline|url=http://www.eontarionow.com/science/2007/07/25/wii-has-most-exclusive-games-in-pipeline/|publisher=EON|date=July 25, 2007|accessdate=July 29, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710194336/http://www.eontarionow.com/science/2007/07/25/wii-has-most-exclusive-games-in-pipeline/|archivedate=July 10, 2011}}</ref> Nintendo also launched the [[New Play Control!]] line, a selection of enhanced GameCube games for the Wii featuring updated controls.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://wii.ign.com/articles/915/915529p1.html |title=IGN: First Look: Wii de Asobu Pikmin|publisher=IGN|first=John|last=Tanaka| accessdate=October 28, 2008}}</ref> The [[Virtual Console]] service allows Wii owners to play games originally released for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Nintendo 64]], [[Sega]]'s [[Sega Genesis|Genesis/Mega Drive]] and [[Sega Master System|Sega Mark III/Sega Master System]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/847/847651p1.html |title=Master System Meets Wii|publisher=IGN|date=January 25, 2008|first=Anoop|last=Gantayat|accessdate=September 17, 2008}}</ref> [[NEC]]'s [[TurboGrafx-16|TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine]], [[SNK Playmore|SNK]]'s [[Neo Geo (system)|Neo Geo console]], [[Commodore 64]] and [[arcade game]]s. Virtual Console games are distributed over broadband Internet via the [[Wii Shop Channel]], and are saved to the Wii internal flash memory or to a removable [[Secure Digital|SD card]]. Once downloaded, Virtual Console games can be accessed from the [[Wii Menu]] (as individual channels) or from an SD card via the SD Card Menu.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916120702/http://www.nintendo.com/wii/virtualconsole|title=Virtual Console at Nintendo :: Wii|date=2008-09-16|access-date=2018-07-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Codename Revolution: The Nintendo Wii Platform|last=E. Jones|first=Steven|publisher=|year=|isbn=|location=|pages=}}</ref> There is also the [[Wii homebrew|Wii Homebrew]] Channel, which can be installed by exploiting the Wii to install a pirate channel on the Wii Menu, allowing the user to run [[unauthorized]] applications built from [[User-generated content|user-generated]] code.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Codename Revolution: The Nintendo Wii Platform|last=E. Jones|first=Steven|publisher=|year=|isbn=|location=|pages=}}</ref> The game development suite [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]] can be used to create official Wii games;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://unity3d.com/unity/features/wii-publishing |title=Wii Publishing |date=December 23, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220051710/http://unity3d.com/unity/features/wii-publishing |archivedate=December 20, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> however, the developer must be authorized by Nintendo to develop games for the console. Games must also be accepted by Nintendo to be sold. 919.81 million Wii games have been sold worldwide {{as of|2018|03|31|lc=y|df=US}},<ref name="nintendosales">{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/hard_soft/index.html |title=Dedicated Video Game Sales Units |accessdate=October 30, 2017 |date=September 30, 2017 |publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> and [[List of best-selling Wii video games|104 titles]] had surpassed the million-unit mark by March 2011. The most successful game (''[[Wii Sports]]'', which comes bundled with the console in most regions) sold 82.85 million copies worldwide by March 31, 2018,<ref name=wiim14>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wii.html |title=Top Selling Software Sales Units - Wii |date=September 20, 2017 |publisher=Nintendo |accessdate=October 20, 2017}}</ref> surpassing ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' as the best-selling game of all time in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.destructoid.com/is-wii-sports-the-best-selling-game-ever--131597.phtml|title=Is Wii Sports the best selling game ever?|work=destructoid|access-date=2018-07-29}}</ref> However, as of July 2018, [[Tetris]] is the best selling game of all time, having sold 170 million copies both physical and digital.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/things-to-do/2018/07/28/mindcraft-minefaire-experience-nj-2018-expo-convention-center-edison/837105002/|title=Minecraft convention makes New Jersey debut in Edison|work=MY CENTRAL JERSEY|access-date=2018-07-29|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/5/21/5737488/tetris-turns-30-alexey-pajitnov|title=This is how Tetris wants you to celebrate for its 30th anniversary|work=Polygon|access-date=2018-07-29}}</ref> The best-selling unbundled game, ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', had sold 37.10 million units worldwide by March 31, 2018.<ref name=wiim14/> ===Launch titles<!--see [[WP:MoS]] about section names-->=== {{Further|List of Wii games}} Twenty-one games were announced for launch day in North and South America, with another twelve announced for release later in 2006.<ref name="The Twenty Wii Launch Games">{{cite web|last=Rodriguez|first=Steven|date=November 14, 2006|url= http://www.NintendoWorldReport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=12402|title=The Twenty Wii Launch Games revealed|publisher=[[Nintendo World Report]]}}</ref> ''[[Wii Sports]]'' was included with the console bundle in all regions except Japan and South Korea. In contrast to the price of $60 quoted for many seventh-generation games in the US,<ref name="GamePrice">{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Morris|url=http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/29/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/|title=Nintendo president vows cheap games|date=March 29, 2006|publisher=CNNMoney}}</ref> Wii titles cost (at most) $50 at major US [[Retail|retail stores]]. '''Key:''' *^NA North America, including Central and South Americas *^EU Europe *^JP Japan *^AUS [[Australasia]] {| |- style="vertical-align:text-top;" | {| class="wikitable" |- !Launch title !Region(s) released<ref name="Euro Wii Launch">{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/743/743042p1.html|title=Euro Wii Launch Games Finalised|publisher=IGN|date=November 1, 2006|accessdate=November 1, 2006}}</ref><ref name="Australia Wii Launch">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.nz/nintendo/news/index.php |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820074249/http://www.nintendo.co.nz/nintendo/news/index.php |archivedate=August 20, 2006 |title=nintendo.co.nz – News From Nintendo |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=November 2, 2006 |accessdate=November 2, 2006 }}<br>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo/news/index.php |title=nintendo.com.au – News From Nintendo |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=November 2, 2006 |accessdate=November 2, 2006 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024031211/http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo/news/index.php |archivedate=October 24, 2006 |df= }}</ref> |- |''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender (video game)|Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'' |^NA<ref name=THQ>{{cite web|url=http://investor.thq.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=96376&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=916763&highlight=|title=THQ confirms four launch titles for Nintendo's Wii home video game console|publisher=[[THQ]]|date=October 16, 2006|accessdate=October 16, 2006}}</ref> |- |''[[Barnyard (video game)|Barnyard]]'' |^NA<ref name=THQ /> |- |''[[Call of Duty 3]]'' |^NA ^EU ^AUS |- |''[[Cars (video game)|Cars]]'' |^NA ^EU ^AUS<ref name=THQ /> |- |''[[Crayon Shin-chan: Saikyou Kazoku Kasukabe King Wii]]'' |^JP<ref name="Japanese Launch Games">{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/748/748258p2.html|title= Japanese Launch Guide|publisher=IGN|date=December 1, 2006|accessdate=December 1, 2006}}</ref> |- |''[[Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2]]'' |^NA |- |''[[Elebits]]'' |^JP<ref name="Elebits Update">{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/744/744832p1.html|title=Elebits Update|publisher=IGN|date=November 8, 2006|accessdate=November 8, 2006}}</ref> |- |''[[Ennichi no Tatsujin]]'' |^JP<ref name="Ennichi no Tatsujin Update">{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/740/740703p1.html|first=Anoop|last=Gantayat|title= Ennichi no Tatsujin Update|publisher=IGN|date=October 20, 2006|accessdate=October 20, 2006}}</ref> |- |''[[Excite Truck]]'' |^NA |- |''[[The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (video game)|The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy]]'' |^NA |- |''[[Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection]]'' |^EU |- |''[[GT Pro Series]]'' |^NA ^EU ^AUS |- |''[[Happy Feet (video game)|Happy Feet]]'' |^NA ^EU<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.punchjump.com/article.php?id=3357|title=Happy Feet drops to Wii, PS2, DS, GCN, GBA|accessdate=November 14, 2006|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116175806/http://news.punchjump.com/article.php?id=3357|archivedate=November 16, 2006|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/30477/info.shtml| publisher=IDG|work=GamePro|title=Happy Feet: Wii|accessdate=October 20, 2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070329015415/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/30477/info.shtml|archivedate=March 29, 2007}}</ref> |- |''[[Kororinpa: Marble Mania]]'' |^JP<ref name="Japanese Launch Games"/> |- |''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]'' |^NA ^JP ^EU ^AUS |- |''[[Minon: Everyday Hero|Machi Kuru Domino]]'' |^JP |- |''[[Madden NFL 07]]'' |^NA ^EU |- |''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance]]'' |^NA |- |''[[Monster 4x4: World Circuit]]'' |^NA ^EU |} | {| class="wikitable" |- !Launch title ({{abbr|cont'd|Continued}}) !Region(s) released |- |''[[Escape from Bug Island|Necro-Nesia]]'' |^JP |- |''[[Need for Speed: Carbon]]'' |^NA ^EU ^AUS |- |''[[Open Season (video game)|Open Season]]'' |^NA ^EU ^AUS |- |''[[Rampage: Total Destruction]]'' |^NA ^EU ^AUS |- |''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids]]'' |^NA ^EU ^AUS |- |''[[Red Steel]]'' |^NA ^JP ^EU ^AUS |- |''SD Gundam G Breaker'' |^JP<ref name="Japanese Launch Games"/> |- |''[[SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab]]'' |^NA ^EU<ref name=THQ /> |- |''[[Super Fruit Fall]]'' |^EU |- |''[[Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz]]'' |^NA ^JP ^EU ^AUS |- |''[[Super Swing Golf]]'' |^JP |- |''[[Tamagotchi: Party On!]]/Tamagotchi's Sparkling President'' |^JP<ref name="Japanese Launch Games"/> |- |''[[Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam]]'' |^NA ^EU ^AUS |- |''[[Trauma Center: Second Opinion]]'' |^NA ^JP |- |''[[WarioWare: Smooth Moves]]'' |^JP<ref name="Japanese Launch Games"/> |- |''[[Wii Play]]'' |^JP ^EU ^AUS |- |''[[Wii Sports]]''<ref group=Note>Wii Sports came bundled with the Wii in all territories except Japan and South Korea.</ref> |^NA ^JP ^EU ^AUS |- |''[[Wing Island]]'' |^JP<ref name="Japanese Launch Games"/> |} |} ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'' was promoted as a launch title, but its release was eventually postponed until August 27, 2007 in North America.<ref>[http://wii.ign.com/articles/790/790231p1.html Nintendo's America Summer Line-up.] [[IGN]]. Retrieved May 22, 2007.</ref> [[Satoru Iwata]] also initially wished for ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' to be released at launch. {{reflist|group=Note}} ==Demographic== Nintendo has hoped to [[target market|target]] a wider [[demographic profile|demographic]] with its console than that of others in the [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|seventh generation]].<ref name="USA Today" /> At a press conference for the then-upcoming [[Nintendo DS]] game ''[[Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies]]'' in December 2006, Satoru Iwata insisted "We're not thinking about fighting [[Sony]], but about how many people we can get to play games. The thing we're thinking about most is not portable systems, consoles, and so forth, but that we want to get new people playing games."<ref name="IwataSony">{{cite web|title=Dragon Quest IX Q&A|date=December 12, 2006|publisher=IGN|accessdate=December 16, 2006|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/750/750610p1.html}}</ref> This is reflected in Nintendo's series of [[television advertisement]]s in North America (directed by [[Academy Award]] winner [[Stephen Gaghan]]) and its Internet ads. The advertising slogans were ''"Wii would like to play"'' and ''"Experience a new way to play''"; the ads began November 15, 2006, and had a total budget of over [[United States dollar|US$]]200&nbsp;million for the year.<ref>joystiq.com [http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/12/nintendo-wii-marketing-to-exceed-200-million/ "Nintendo Wii Marketing To Exceed 200 million"] (November 12, 2006)</ref> The productions were Nintendo's first broad-based advertising strategy and included a two-minute [[video clip]] showing an assortment of people enjoying the Wii system: urban apartment-dwellers, ranchers, grandparents, and parents with their children. The music in the ads was from the song "Kodo (Inside the Sun Remix)" by the [[Yoshida Brothers]].<ref name="jap_commercial">{{cite web|title=Wii For All&nbsp;— Wii Would Like To Play|date= December 10, 2006|publisher=The Inspiration Room Daily|accessdate=January 16, 2007|url= http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2006/wii-for-all}}</ref> The marketing campaign was successful; [[pensioner]]s as old as 103 were reported to be playing the Wii in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news|last=Parker|first=Andrew|title=OAPs say nurse, I need a Wii|publisher=The Sun|url= http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article294579.ece|date=September 14, 2007|accessdate= September 14, 2007|location=London}}</ref> A report by the British newspaper ''[[The People]]'' also stated that [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] of the United Kingdom has used the console.<ref>{{cite web|title=Make way for the Q Wii N|publisher=The People|url=http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=make-way-for-the-q-wii-n%26method=full%26objectid=20276099%26siteid=93463-name_page.html|date=January 6, 2008}}</ref> ==Hardware== [[File:NintendoStack.jpg|thumb|upright|The Wii (top) compared in size to the [[GameCube|NGC]], [[Nintendo 64|N64]], North American [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] and [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]|alt=Stack of video-game consoles, of which the Wii is the smallest]] The Wii was Nintendo's smallest home console at the time (the current smallest is hybrid home-portable console [[Nintendo Switch]], when in portable mode); it measures 44&nbsp;[[millimetre|mm]] (1.73&nbsp;[[inch|in]]) wide, 157&nbsp;mm (6.18&nbsp;in) tall and 215.4&nbsp;mm (8.48&nbsp;in) deep in its vertical orientation, slightly larger than three [[keep case|DVD cases]] stacked together. The included stand measures 55.4&nbsp;mm (2.18&nbsp;in) wide, 44&nbsp;mm (1.73&nbsp;in) tall and 225.6&nbsp;mm (8.88&nbsp;in) deep. The system weighs 1.2&nbsp;[[kilogram|kg]] (2.7&nbsp;[[pound (mass)|lb]]),<ref name="WiiWeight">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/127859/a_closer_look_at_the_nintendo_wii.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205074335/http://www.pcworld.com/article/id%2C127859-page%2C1/article.html |archivedate=February 5, 2008 |title=A Closer Look at the Nintendo Wii |first=Danny |last=Allen |publisher=PC World |date=November 17, 2006 |accessdate=March 8, 2007 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> making it the lightest of the three major [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|seventh-generation]] consoles. The Wii may stand horizontally or vertically. The prefix for the numbering scheme of the system and its parts and accessories is "RVL-" for its [[code name]], "Revolution".<ref>{{cite news|title=Wii controller world tour|page=8|publisher=[[Nintendo Gamer|NGamer]]|date=July 13, 2007}}</ref> The front of the console features an illuminated slot-loading optical media drive which accepts only 12&nbsp;cm [[Wii Optical Disc]]s and 8&nbsp;cm [[Nintendo GameCube Game Disc]]s.<ref name=Salon>{{cite web|title=Compatibility of the Nintendo Wii|url=http://techtips.salon.com/compatibility-nintendo-wii-2284.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526042233/http://techtips.salon.com/compatibility-nintendo-wii-2284.html|archivedate=May 26, 2011|first=Benny|last=Taylor}}</ref> (Units sold in South Korea and later revisions do not support GameCube discs.)<ref name="Wii2.0"/><ref name=GameSpotKr>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.co.kr/wii/news/0,39051458,39400693-39098642p,00.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618070527/http://www.gamespot.co.kr/wii/news/0%2C39051458%2C39400693-39098642p%2C00.htm |archivedate=June 18, 2008 |title=한국판 Wii, 타 국가게임 '사용불가' |author=김민규 기자 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |language=Korean |date=April 14, 2008 |accessdate=September 25, 2008 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> The blue light in the disc slot illuminates briefly when the console is turned on, and pulses when new data is received through [[WiiConnect24]].<ref name=NintendoUK>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Wii/Get-Connected/WiiConnect24/WiiConnect24-Wii-Online-Wii-Nintendo-UK-626436.html|title=WiiConnect24|publisher=Nintendo Europe}}</ref> After the update (including System Menu 3.0), the disc-slot light activates whenever a Wii disc is inserted or ejected.<ref name=Update3>{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/286691/wii-gets-a-firmware-update-1-feature-is-a-clock|title=Wii Gets a Firmware Update, #1 Feature is a Clock…|publisher=Gizmodo}}</ref> When there is no WiiConnect24 information, the light stays off. The disc-slot light remains off during game play or when using other features. Two [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] ports are located at its rear. An SD-card slot is located behind the cover on the front of the console.<ref name="WiiSports">{{cite web|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|authorlink=Matt Casamassina|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/745/745708p1.html|publisher= IGN|title=Wii Sports Review|date=November 13, 2006|accessdate=January 31, 2008}}</ref> The [[Wii launch]] package includes the console; a stand to allow the console to be placed vertically; a round, clear stabilizer for the main stand; a [[Wii Remote]]; a [[Wii Nunchuk|Nunchuk]] attachment; a [[Sensor Bar]]; a removable stand for the bar; an external [[power supply|power adapter]]; two [[AA battery|AA batteries]]; a [[composite video|composite AV cable]] with [[RCA connector]]s;<ref name=launch>{{cite web|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-10921_7-6637970-4.html|title=Nintendo Wii release details: Nov. 19, $250 with a game included|publisher=CNET|date=September 14, 2006|first=David|last=Rudden}}</ref> a [[SCART]] adapter in European countries ([[component video]] and other types of cables are available separately); operation documentation and (in Europe and the Americas) a copy of the game ''[[Wii Sports]]''.<ref name="WiiSports"/> The disc reader of the Wii does not play [[DVD-Video]], [[DVD-Audio]] or [[Compact Disc]]s. A 2006 announcement stated that a new version of the Wii (capable of DVD-Video playback) would be released in 2007;<ref name="DVD-Wii 2007" /> however, Nintendo delayed its release to focus on meeting demand for the original console.<ref name="No DVD-Wii 2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/11/09/wii_dvd_playback_delayed/|title=Nintendo confirms Wii DVD support coming|accessdate=November 28, 2007|last=Sherwood|first= James|date=November 9, 2007|work=[[The Register]] Hardware|publisher=Situation Publishing}}</ref> Nintendo's initial announcement stated that it "requires more than a firmware upgrade" to implement, and the capability could not be made available as an upgrade option for the existing Wii.<ref name="DVD-Wii 2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/confirmed-nintendo-to-release-dvd-enabled-wii-in-2007/69689/?biz=1|publisher=GameDaily BIZ|title=Confirmed: Nintendo to Release DVD-Enabled Wii in 2007|first=James|last=Brightman| accessdate=November 14, 2006|date=November 13, 2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901065337/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/confirmed-nintendo-to-release-dvd-enabled-wii-in-2007/69689/?biz=1|archivedate=September 1, 2010}}</ref> Despite this assertion, third parties have used [[Wii homebrew]] to add DVD playback to unmodified Wii units.<ref name=homebrewdvd>{{cite web|url= http://hackmii.com/2008/08/libdi-and-the-dvdx-installer/|title=libdi and the DVDX installer|publisher=HackMii|date=August 12, 2008| accessdate=October 5, 2008}}</ref> The Wii also can be [[Hacker (hobbyist)|hacked]] to enable an owner to use the console for activities unintended by the manufacturer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=21266|title=The 'unhackable' Wii gets hacked, '30 wire' D2C mod on its way|publisher=MaxConsole|date=September 28, 2007|accessdate=November 8, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027032050/http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=21266|archivedate=October 27, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[List of Wii drivechips|Several brands]] of [[modchip]]s are available for the Wii.<ref name=Mod>{{cite web|title=New Wii drives breaking modchips, hearts, legs|url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/new-wii-drives-breaking-modchips-hearts-legs/|first=Joshua|last=Topolsky|date=December 10, 2008|accessdate=September 13, 2012|work=Engadget|publisher=AOL Inc.}}</ref> Although Nintendo showed the console and the Wii Remote in white, black, silver, lime-green and red before it was released,<ref name="Rev colors console">{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/10/wheres-my-lime-green-wii-nintendo/|publisher=Gawker Media|work=Kotaku Australia|title=NINTENDO Where’s My Lime Green Wii, Nintendo?|date=October 6, 2012|accessdate= October 8, 2012}}</ref> it was only available in white for its first two-and-a-half years of sales. Black consoles were available in Japan in August 2009,<ref>{{cite web|title=Nintendo Selling Black Wii in Japan This Summer|url=http://kotaku.com/5278279/nintendo-selling-black-wii-in-japan-this-summer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/console/index.html|language=japanese|title=Wii| publisher=Nintendo|date=August 1, 2009|accessdate=August 10, 2009}}</ref> in Europe in November 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2009/limited_edition_black_wii_bundle_announced_for_europe_including_wii_sports_resort_and_wii_motionplus_14833.html|title=Limited Edition Black Wii bundle announced for Europe, including Wii Sports Resort and Wii MotionPlus|publisher=Nintendo|date=October 20, 2009| accessdate=October 20, 2009}}</ref> and in North America on May 9, 2010.<ref name="NewWiiBundle">{{Cite press release | title =Nintendo to Include Wii Sports Resort, Wii MotionPlus with All New Wii Systems | publisher = Nintendo Of America| date =May 3, 2010 | url =http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100503005799&newsLang=en | accessdate =May 3, 2010 }}</ref> A red Wii system bundle was available in Japan on November 11, 2010, commemorating the 25th anniversary of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Nintendo Wii turns red with glee for Super Mario's 25th anniversarii|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/nintendo-wii-turns-red-with-glee-for-super-marios-25th-annivers/}}</ref> The UK version of the limited-edition red Wii was released October 29, 2010, preloaded with the original ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' game. It also featured the Wii Remote Plus, a new version of the controller with integrated Wii Motion Plus technology.<ref>{{cite web|author=JC Fletcher|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/red-wii-and-dsi-xl-bundles-wii-remote-plus-and-flingsmash-in-n/ |title=Red Wii and DSi XL bundles, Wii Remote Plus, and FlingSmash in North America Nov. 7 |publisher=Joystiq |date=October 21, 2010 |accessdate=August 23, 2011}}</ref> The red Wii bundle was released in North America on November 7, 2010 with ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' and the Wii Remote Plus.<ref>{{cite web|title=Anniversary Bundles and Wii Remote Plus Confirmed for US|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/24335}}</ref> On July 11, 2007, Nintendo unveiled the [[Wii Balance Board]] at [[History of E3#2007 (July 11–13)|E3 2007]] with ''[[Wii Fit]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.consolewatcher.com/2007/07/stay-fit-with-nintendo-wii-balance-board/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321044858/http://www.consolewatcher.com/2007/07/stay-fit-with-nintendo-wii-balance-board/|archivedate=March 21, 2008|title=Stay fit with Wii Balance Board|date=November 12, 2007|publisher=Console Watcher}}</ref> It is a wireless [[balance board]] accessory for the Wii, with multiple pressure sensors used to measure the user's [[center of mass|center of balance]].<ref>{{cite video|people=Shigeru Miyamoto (Interviewed)|date=July 12, 2007|title=E3 2007: Shigeru Miyamoto Video Interview|url=http://uk.media.wii.ign.com/articles/804/804464/vids_1.html|publisher=IGN|accessdate=July 13, 2007|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816211448/http://uk.media.wii.ign.com/articles/804/804464/vids_1.html|archivedate=August 16, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Namco Bandai Games|Namco Bandai]] produced a mat controller (a simpler, less-sophisticated competitor to the balance board).<ref name=NamcoMat>{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/873/873470p1.html|title=Namco Bandai Take to the Mat|publisher=IGN|date=May 13, 2008|accessdate=September 13, 2012|last=Robinson|first=Martin}}</ref> ===Wii Remote=== {{Main article|Wii Remote}} [[File:Wiimote-in-Hands.jpg|thumb|A [[Wii Nunchuk|Nunchuk]], [[Wii Remote]] and [[Wii Remote#Strap|strap]] shown in hand|alt=Two types of Wii controllers, one in each hand]] The Wii Remote<!-- SEE DISCUSSION ON "WIIMOTE" --> is the primary [[game controller|controller]] for the console. It uses a combination of built-in [[accelerometer]]s and [[infrared]] detection to sense its position in [[three-dimensional space|3D]] space when pointed at the [[light-emitting diode|LEDs]] in the [[Sensor Bar]].<ref name="remote_accel">{{cite web|last=Wisniowski|first=Howard|url=http://www.analog.com/en/press-release/May_09_2006_ADI_Nintendo_Collaboration/press.html|title=Analog Devices And Nintendo Collaboration Drives Video Game Innovation With iMEMS Motion Signal Processing Technology|publisher=Analog Devices, Inc.|date=May 9, 2006|accessdate=January 31, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Nintendo and PixArt">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=11557|title=Nintendo and PixArt Team Up|publisher=[[Nintendo World Report]]|last=Castaneda|first=Karl|date=May 13, 2006|accessdate=February 24, 2007}}</ref> This design allows users to control the game with physical gestures as well as button-presses. The controller connects to the console using [[Bluetooth]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/systems/technical_details_1072.html|archive-url=https://archive.is/20120904122140/http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/systems/technical_details_1072.html|dead-url=yes|archive-date=September 4, 2012|title=Wii: Technical Details|accessdate=February 22, 2009|publisher=Nintendo of Europe}}</ref> with an approximate {{convert|30|ft|adj=on|abbr=on}} range,<ref name="hard_inf">{{cite web|url=http://wii.nintendo.com/controller.jsp|title=Nintendo Wii – Hardware Information|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=May 9, 2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212080618/http://wii.nintendo.com/controller.jsp|archivedate=February 12, 2008}}</ref> and features [[Haptic technology#Computer and video games|rumble]] and an internal speaker.<ref name="Ops Man 6465">{{Cite book|title=Wii Operations Manual: Channels and Settings|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/WiiOpMn_setup.pdf|format=PDF|pages=64–65|id=C/RVL-USZ-4|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|year=2008}}</ref> An attachable [[Wii Remote#Strap|wrist strap]] can be used to prevent the player from unintentionally dropping (or throwing) the Wii Remote. Nintendo has since offered a stronger strap and the [[Wii Remote Jacket]] to provide extra grip and protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/meGSAugqYGKxlEMVLDtePEEQweFFdtSM|title=Nintendo announces new Wii Remote Jacket accessory|date=September 1, 2007|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=December 15, 2007}}</ref> Accessories can be connected to a Wii Remote through a [[Proprietary hardware|proprietary]] port at the base of the controller,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-wiimote-change-before-after-puberty|title=Nintendo Wiimote change: before & after puberty|publisher=Destructoid|author=Niero|date=June 14, 2006|accessdate=March 19, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204033225/http://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-wiimote-change-before-after-puberty <!-- add web archive if available -->|archivedate=February 4, 2007}}</ref> such as the bundled [[Wii Nunchuk|Nunchuk]] — a handheld unit with an accelerometer, [[analog stick]], and two trigger buttons.<ref name="noe_launch">{{cite web|last=Wales|first=Matt|date=May 22, 2006|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=140333&skip=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615010501/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=140333&skip=yes|archivedate=June 15, 2006|title=Reports claim Wii to slap down 16 at launch|publisher=Computer and Video Games|accessdate=May 25, 2006}}</ref><!-- FURTHER INFO ATTACHMENTS SHOULD BE ADDED TO "WII REMOTE" ARTICLE -->An expansion accessory known as [[Wii MotionPlus]] augments the Wii Remote's existing sensors with [[gyroscope]]<nowiki/>s to allow for finer motion detection; the MotionPlus functionality was later incorporated into a revision of the controller known as Wii Remote Plus.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2008/jul/17/moreonwiismotionplus|title=More on Wii's MotionPlus|last=Stuart|first=Keith|date=2008-07-17|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-09-23|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="Iwata Asks 1">{{cite web |title=The Gyro Sensor: A New Sense Of Control |url=http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/wiimotionplus/vol1_page1.jsp |work=Iwata Asks: Wii MotionPlus |publisher=Nintendo |page=1 |accessdate=June 4, 2009 |quote=No, the intention was to integrate the two from the very start. This is why when we use the term Wii MotionPlus, we are referring to the accessory with the Wii MotionPlus Jacket attached. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217194342/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/wiimotionplus/vol1_page1.jsp|archivedate=February 17, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2374174,00.asp|title=Nintendo Wii Remote Plus|last=|first=|date=|website=PC Magazine|language=en|access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref> At [[E3 2009]], Nintendo also presented a "[[Heart rate monitor|Vitality Sensor]]" accessory that could be used to measure a player's pulse. In a 2013 Q&A, Satoru Iwata revealed that the Vitality Sensor had been shelved, as internal testing found that the device did not work with all users, and its use cases were too narrow.<ref name="Vitalityend">{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-07-05-nintendo-explains-wii-vitality-sensor-cancellation|title=Nintendo explains Wii Vitality Sensor cancellation|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2013-07-05|website=Eurogamer|language=en-UK|access-date=2017-09-23}}</ref> ===Memory storage=== The Wii console contains 512 [[megabyte]]s of internal [[flash memory]], and features an SD card slot for external storage. An SD card can be used for uploading photos and backing up [[saved game]] data and downloaded [[Virtual Console]] and [[WiiWare]] games. To use the SD slot for transferring game saves, an [[patch (computing)|update]] must be installed. Installation may be initiated from the Wii options menu through an Internet connection, or by inserting a game disc containing the update. Virtual Console data cannot be restored to any system except the unit of origin.<ref name="Nintendo Forums: SD CARD ISSUE (from one system to another)">{{cite web|url= https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/data.jsp#SDcopy|title=Nintendo Customer Service: Copy Data to an SD Card| publisher=Nintendo |accessdate=May 14, 2008}}</ref> An SD card can also be used to create customized in-game music from stored [[MP3]] files (as first shown in ''[[Excite Truck]]'')<ref name="Excite Truck Custom Soundtrack Confirmed">{{cite web|date=November 10, 2006|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/745/745360p1.html|title=Excite Truck Custom Soundtrack Confirmed|publisher=IGN|accessdate=November 10, 2006}}</ref> and music for the slide-show feature of the [[Photo Channel]]. Version 1.1 of the Photo Channel removed MP3 playback in favor of [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]] support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wii.nintendo.com/photo_channel.jsp |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213040428/http://wii.nintendo.com/photo_channel.jsp |archivedate=December 13, 2007 |title=Internet Archive Wayback Machine |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=December 13, 2007 |accessdate=November 7, 2012}}</ref> At the Nintendo Fall Press Conference in October 2008, Satoru Iwata announced that Wii owners would have the option to download WiiWare and Virtual Console content directly onto an SD card. The option would offer an alternative to "address the console's insufficient memory storage". The announcement stated that it would be available in Japan in spring 2009;<ref>{{cite web|url =http://kotaku.com/5057877/save-wii-games-direct-to-sd-card-starting-spring-2009|title=2008 Nintendo Fall Press Conference: Save Wii Games Direct To SD Card (Starting Spring 2009)|publisher=Kotaku|accessdate=October 6, 2008}}</ref> Nintendo made the update available on March 25. In addition to the previously announced feature, it lets the player load Virtual Console and WiiWare games directly from the SD card. The update allows the use of [[Secure Digital|SDHC]] cards, increasing the limit on SD card size from 2&nbsp;GB to 32&nbsp;GB.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thorsen|first=Tor|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gdc-2009-new-ds-zelda-announced-wii-ships-50-million/1100-6206693/|title=New DS Zelda announced, Wii ships 50 million|work=GDC 2009|publisher=GameSpot|date=March 25, 2009|accessdate=April 5, 2009}}</ref> ==={{anchor|Technical specifications}}Specifications=== Nintendo has released few technical details regarding the Wii system, but some key facts have leaked through the press. Although none of these reports has been officially confirmed, they generally indicate that the console is an extension (or advancement) of the [[Nintendo GameCube]] architecture. Specifically, the analyses report that the Wii is roughly 1.5 to 2&nbsp;times as powerful as its predecessor.<ref name="Wii: The Total Story">{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/launchguide/hardware1.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061218073811/http://wii.ign.com/launchguide/hardware1.html|archivedate=December 18, 2006|title=Wii: The Total Story|accessdate=November 20, 2006| publisher=IGN}}</ref><ref name="IGN Wii FAQs">{{cite web|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|url= http://wii.ign.com/articles/733/733464p7.html|title=IGN's Nintendo Wii FAQ|publisher=IGN|date=September 19, 2006|accessdate=November 11, 2006}}</ref> Based on specifications, the Wii has been called the least powerful of the major home consoles of its generation.<ref name=NYTWii>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/24/arts/24wii.html|title=Getting Everybody Back in the Game|first=Seth|last=Schiesel|publisher=New York Times|date=November 24, 2006|accessdate=September 13, 2012}}</ref> {{Col-begin}} {{Col-2}} '''Processors:''' * [[Central processing unit|CPU]]: [[PowerPC]]-based [[Broadway (microprocessor)|Broadway]] processor, made with a [[90 nanometer|90&nbsp;nm]] [[Silicon on insulator|SOI]] [[CMOS]] process, reportedly{{Ref|clock|†}} clocked at 729&nbsp;[[Hertz|MHz]]<ref name="IGNTech">{{cite web|title=IGN: Revolution's Horsepower|date=March 29, 2006|publisher=IGN|accessdate=December 23, 2006|url= http://wii.ign.com/articles/699/699118p1.html}}</ref> * [[Graphics processing unit|GPU]]: [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] [[Hollywood (graphics chip)|Hollywood GPU]] made with a 90&nbsp;nm CMOS process,<ref name="hard_japan">{{cite web|url= https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3_2006/wii/index.html|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20060615131048/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3_2006/wii/index.html|archivedate= June 15, 2006|title=Wiiの概要 (Wii本体)|work=E3 2006|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=May 22, 2006|language=ja}}</ref> reportedly{{Ref|clock|†}} clocked at 243&nbsp;[[Hertz|MHz]]<ref name="IGNTech" /> <small>{{note|clock|†}} None of the [[clock rate]]s have been confirmed by [[Nintendo]], [[IBM]] or [[ATI Technologies|ATI]].</small> '''Memory:''' * 88&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] [[Computer data storage|main memory]] (24&nbsp;MB internal [[1T-SRAM]] integrated into graphics package, 64&nbsp;MB external [[GDDR3]] SDRAM)<ref name="TechOnWii">{{cite web|title=PS3 VS Wii, Comparisons of Core LSI Chip Areas|date= November 27, 2006| publisher=TechOn!|accessdate=December 15, 2006|url=http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20061127/124495/}}</ref> * 3&nbsp;MB embedded GPU [[texture memory]] and [[framebuffer]] '''Ports and peripheral capabilities:''' * Up to 16 Wii Remote controllers (10 in standard mode, 6 in one-time mode,<ref>Wii operations manual: system setup, page 28.</ref> connected wirelessly via [[Bluetooth]]) * Nintendo GameCube controller ports (4) * Nintendo GameCube memory-card slots (2) * [[Secure Digital|SD]] memory-card slot (supports [[Secure Digital|SDHC]] cards, as of system menu 4.0) * [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] 2.0 ports (2) * Sensor Bar power port * Accessory port on bottom of Wii Remote * Optional USB keyboard input in message board, Wii Shop and Internet channels (as of 3.0 and 3.1 firmware update)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/wii/what/faq#section8_sub7|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312043408/http://www.nintendo.com/wii/what/faq#section8_sub7|archivedate=March 12, 2008|title=Wii&nbsp;— Frequently Asked Questions|accessdate= March 31, 2008|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> * [[Mitsumi]] DWM-W004 WiFi 802.11b/g wireless module<ref name="IGN Wii FAQ">{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/733/733464p8.html|title=IGN's Nintendo Wii FAQ|accessdate=January 25, 2007|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|authorlink=Matt Casamassina|date= September 20, 2006|publisher=IGN}}</ref> * Compatible with optional [[MiniUSB|USB]] 2.0 to [[Ethernet]] [[local area network|LAN]] adapter * "AV Multi Out" port (See "Video" section) '''Built-in content ratings systems:''' * [[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]], [[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]], [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]], [[Australian Classification Board|ACB]], [[Office of Film and Literature Classification (New Zealand)|OFLC (NZ)]], [[Pan European Game Information|PEGI]], [[Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle|USK]] {{Col-2}} [[File:broadwaycpu.JPG|thumb|IBM Wii [[Broadway (microprocessor)|Broadway]] CPU|alt=Square computer chip]] [[File:Hollywood gpu.png|thumb|ATI Wii [[Hollywood (graphics chip)|Hollywood]] GPU|alt=Square computer chip]] '''Storage:''' * 512&nbsp;MB built-in NAND [[flash memory]] * Expanded storage via [[Secure Digital|SD]] and [[Secure Digital|SDHC]] card memory (up to 32&nbsp;GB) * Nintendo GameCube memory card (required for GameCube game saves) * Slot-loading disc drive, compatible with 8&nbsp;cm Nintendo GameCube Game Disc and 12&nbsp;cm Wii Optical Disc * [[Mask ROM]] by Macronix<ref name="Macronix">{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/719/719299p1.html|title=Macronix Supplies Wii|accessdate=July 18, 2006|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|authorlink=Matt Casamassina|date=July 17, 2006|publisher=IGN}}</ref> '''Video:''' * Custom "AV Multi Out" port supporting [[composite video]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/setupAV.jsp|title=Nintendo Support: Connecting the Wii AV Cables|accessdate=February 28, 2010|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> [[YPbPr|YP_BP_R]] [[component video]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/setupComponents.jsp|title=Nintendo Support: About Component Video|accessdate=February 28, 2010|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> [[S-Video]] ([[NTSC]] consoles only)<ref>{{cite web|url= http://wii.nintendo.com/console.jsp| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208235448/http://wii.nintendo.com/console.jsp|archivedate= February 8, 2008|title=What is Wii? |accessdate=September 18, 2007|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> and [[RGBS|RGB]] [[SCART]] ([[PAL]] consoles only)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Wii/Accessories/Accessories-Wii-Nintendo-UK-626430.html|title=Nintendo UK: Wii Accessories|accessdate=August 9, 2014|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> * [[480p]] ([[PAL]]/[[NTSC]]), [[480i]] (PAL/NTSC) or [[576i]] (PAL), standard 4:3 and [[Aspect ratio (image)|16:9]] [[anamorphic widescreen]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3154939|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160522225319/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3154939|dead-url=yes|archive-date=May 22, 2016|title=Wii Get It Now: Technical Specs|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|first=Amy|last=McDonough|date=November 6, 2006|accessdate=September 25, 2008}}</ref> '''Audio:''' * Main: Stereo&nbsp;– [[Pro Logic II|Dolby Pro Logic II]]-capable<ref name="[[Dolby Pro Logic]] II">{{cite press release|title=Dolby Technology to Power the Sound of the Wii Console|publisher=Dolby Laboratories|date=September 21, 2006|url=http://investor.dolby.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=211978|accessdate=September 23, 2006|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020135248/http://investor.dolby.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=211978|archivedate=October 20, 2006|df=mdy-all}}</ref> * Controller: Built-in speaker * Audio DSP '''Power consumption:''' * 18&nbsp;[[Watt|W]] when switched on<ref name="Consume">{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-356-2.htm|title=Xbox 360 vs PS3 (and Wii) - Power Consumption Report|accessdate=November 17, 2007|publisher=Hardcoreware.net|first=Carl|last=Nelson|date=February 21, 2007}}</ref> * 9.6&nbsp;W in standby with [[WiiConnect24]] standby connection<ref name="Consume"/> * 1.3&nbsp;W in standby<ref name="Consume"/> {{Col-end}}{{Clear}} ==={{anchor|Technical issues}}Technical problems=== The first Wii system software update (via WiiConnect24) caused a small number of launch units to become [[Brick (electronics)|completely unusable]]. This forced users to either send their units to [[Nintendo]] for repairs (if they wished to retain their saved data) or exchange them for free replacements.<ref name="Wii Firmware down">{{cite web|url= http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=149572|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080616142826/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=149572|archivedate= June 16, 2008|title=Wii Connect 24 Kills Wiis|publisher=[[ComputerAndVideoGames.com]]| date=November 21, 2006|first=Mike|last=Jackson|accessdate=September 25, 2008}}</ref> With the release of dual-layer Wii Optical Discs, Nintendo of America stated that some Wii systems may have difficulty reading the high-density software (due to a contaminated laser lens). Nintendo offers retail lens-cleaning kits and free console repairs for owners who experience this issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/repair/repair_form_us_ssbb.jsp|title=Repair Form for U.S. Residents|accessdate =March 11, 2008|publisher=[[Nintendo]]}}</ref><ref name="BRAWLERROS">{{cite web|url= http://gonintendo.com/?p=40081|title=Brawl disc read errors return, but this time it's Mario Kart|publisher=GoNintendo|date= April 11, 2008|accessdate=September 25, 2008}}</ref> The Wii Remote can lose track of the Wii system it has been set to, requiring that it be reset and resynchronized. Nintendo's support website provides instructions for this process and troubleshooting related issues.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://support.nintendo.com/|title=Nintendo support website|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> ===Legal issues=== {{See also|Wii Remote#Legal issues|l1=Legal issues of the Wii Remote}} Both the Wii console, Wii Remote and other accessories were the focus of these lawsuits. [[Interlink Electronics]] filed a patent-infringement lawsuit against Nintendo in December 2006 over the pointing functionality of the Wii Remote, claiming "loss of reasonable royalties, reduced sales and/or lost profits as a result of the infringing activities" of Nintendo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/750/750001p1.html|title=Nintendo Sued for Patent Infringement|last=Seff|first=Micah|date=December 8, 2006|publisher=IGN|accessdate=December 8, 2006}}</ref> No further court documentation on this case exists as of September 2017, suggesting that either the two companies settled privately, or Interlink had dropped the case.<ref name="kotaku lawsuit history">{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2017/09/07/nintendos-long-history-of-beating-patent-lawsuits|title=Nintendo's Long History of Beating Patent Lawsuits|last=Sutcliffe|first=Chris|date=September 7, 2017|work=[[Kotaku]]|accessdate=December 28, 2017}}</ref> Lonestar Inventions, a [[Texas]]-based company, sued Nintendo in June 2006, claiming that the company copied one of Lonestar's patented [[capacitor]] designs and used it in the Wii console.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/06/18/lonestar-sues-nintendo-over-wii-capacitor-design/|title=Lonestar sues Nintendo over Wii capacitor design|last=Quilty-Harper|first=Conrad|date=June 18, 2006|publisher=Engadget/Wall Street Journal|accessdate=June 19, 2007}}</ref> The two companies agreed to dismiss all claims by July 2009, alongside a settlement made between Lonestar and AMD, which provided Nintendo's microprocessor [[technology]]; whether the Lonestar-Nintendo dismissal included any out-of-court settlement terms was not clear.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.law360.com/articles/111968/lonestar-amd-settle-ip-suit-over-nintendo-wii-chip|title=Lonestar, AMD Settle IP Suit Over Nintendo Wii Chip|last=Davis|first=Ryan|date=July 17, 2009|work=[[Law360]]|accessdate=December 28, 2017}}</ref> On August 19, 2008 [[Hillcrest Labs|Hillcrest Laboratories]] Inc. filed a complaint against Nintendo with the [[United States International Trade Commission|U.S International Trade Commission]], alleging that the Wii Remote infringed on three of its patents. A fourth Hillcrest patent (for graphical interfaces displayed on television screens) was also allegedly violated. Hillcrest sought a ban on Wii consoles imported to the U.S.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121925111060757011|title=Start-Up Says Nintendo Violated Patents|last=Wingfield|first=Nick|date=August 21, 2008|accessdate=September 25, 2008|publisher=online.wsj.com}}</ref> On August 24, 2009 Nintendo and Hillcrest reached a settlement, although the terms were not publicly disclosed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/world/nintendo-settles-us-trade-fight-over-wii-20090825-ewno.html|title=Nintendo settles US trade fight over Wii|date=August 24, 2009|work=www.theage.com.au|accessdate=August 24, 2009|publisher=[[The Age]]|location=Melbourne}}</ref> Anascape Ltd, a [[Texas]]-based firm, filed a lawsuit against Nintendo for patent infringement regarding the vibrational feedback used by Nintendo's controllers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/933/1027933/microsoft-nintendo-sued-over-games-controller|title=Microsoft, Nintendo sued over games controller|date=August 3, 2006|publisher=The Inquirer|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226182628/http://www.theinquirer.net/en/inquirer/news/2006/08/03/microsoft-nintendo-sued-over-games-controller|archivedate=December 26, 2007|accessdate=December 8, 2006}}</ref> A July 2008 verdict banned Nintendo from selling the [[Classic Controller]] in the United States, in addition to the GameCube and Wavebird controllers. Following an appeal to the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit|U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gamespot.com/forums/system-wars-314159282/nintendo-faces-ban-on-some-wii-controllers-26503822/|title=Nintendo Faces Ban on Some Wii, GameCube Controllers (Update2)|last=Decker|first=Susan|date=July 22, 2008|accessdate=September 25, 2008|publisher=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> on April 22, 2010 the Federal Circuit Court ruled in Nintendo's favor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/04/22/26649.htm|title=Nintendo Wins Patent Dispute Over Controllers|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823191844/http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/04/22/26649.htm|archivedate=August 23, 2010|deadurl=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2008, Motiva LLC filed a lawsuit against Nintendo in the U.S. International Trade Commission claiming that the Wii violated two of its patents for tracking body movement and position.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2017/09/07/nintendos-long-history-of-beating-patent-lawsuits|title=Nintendo's Long History of Beating Patent Lawsuits|website=Kotaku UK|language=en|access-date=2018-07-01}}</ref> The USITC ruled in favour of Nintendo in January 2013, claiming that "Motiva's litigation was targeted at financial gains, not at encouraging adoption of Motiva’s patented technology,” and that “There is simply no reasonable likelihood that, after successful litigation against Nintendo, Motiva’s patented technology would have been licensed by partners who would have incorporated it.” The USITC also determined that Nintendo did not violate any of Motiva's patents.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nintendo-motiva-decision-idUSBRE94C0WJ20130513|title=Nintendo wins appeals court decision over Wii|last=Stempel|first=Jonathan|work=U.S.|access-date=2018-07-01|language=en-US}}</ref> Starting in December 2012, iLife Technologies sued several large companies over patent infringement over a set of patents they held related to "systems and methods for evaluating movement of a body relative to an environment", principally aimed at the medical field; Nintendo was sued by iLife in December 2013 for the Wii Remote's infringement on their patents, with the lawsuit seeking $144 million in damages, based on a $4 fine for the 36 million Wii and Wii U units it had sold to date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/a-dallas-inventor-is-suing-nintendo-for-stealing-his-idea-for-wii-us-motion-sensors-7124540|title=A Dallas Inventor Is Suing Nintendo for Stealing His Idea for Wii U's Motion Sensors|last=Nicholson|first=Eric|date=December 16, 2013|work=[[Dallas Observer]]|accessdate=December 28, 2017}}</ref> A jury trial was heard in August 2017, and the jury ruled in favor of iLife Technologies and Nintendo was forced to pay {{USD|10.1 million}} in damages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/09/jury-finds-nintendo-wii-infringes-dallas-inventors-patent-awards-10m/|title=Jury finds Nintendo Wii infringes Dallas inventor’s patent, awards $10M|last=Mullin|first=Joe|date=September 1, 2017|work=[[Ars Technica]]|accessdate=December 28, 2017}}</ref> While Nintendo appealed this decision, the [[United States Court of Appeals]] upheld the jury's decision in December 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/appeals-court-upholds-ilife-patent-in-10m-wii-gaming-judgment-w514792|title=Appeals Court Upholds iLife Patent in $10M Wii Gaming Judgment|date=December 28, 2017|work=[[Glixel]]|accessdate=December 28, 2017}}</ref> ====Wrist strap issues==== The wrist strap of the Wii Remote has also been an issue. In mid-December 2006, the law firm Green Welling LLP filed a [[class action]] lawsuit against Nintendo for its "defective wrist straps". A few days later, Nintendo issued a [[product recall]] for the wrist straps and issued a new version of the strap with an improved securing mechanism for the wrist, leading to the lawsuit being dropped sometime thereafter.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/news/article/BW-Nintendo-Recalls-Defective-Wii-Wrist-Straps-1850489.php|title=Nintendo Recalls Defective Wii Wrist Straps After Class Action Filed by Green Welling LLP|date=December 16, 2006|accessdate=March 23, 2007|publisher=Business Wire|via=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/5108362/nintendo-faces-new-remote-strap-lawsuit|title=Nintendo Faces New Remote Strap Lawsuit|last=Fahey|first=Mike|date=December 12, 2008|work=[[Kotaku]]|accessdate=December 28, 2017}}</ref> A second class-action lawsuit was filed by a mother in Colorado in December 2008, claiming the updated wrist straps were still ineffective.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/3725869/Nintendo-sued-over-dangerous-Wii-controllers.html|title=Nintendo sued over 'dangerous' Wii controllers|last=Beaumont|first=Claudine|date=December 12, 2008|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=December 28, 2017}}</ref> This suit was dismissed by September 2010, finding for Nintendo that the wrist straps were not knowingly faulty under Colorado consumer protection laws.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.law360.com/articles/196315/nintendo-sends-wii-safety-strap-case-packing|title=Nintendo Sends Wii Safety Strap Case Packing|last=Howard|first=Samual|date=September 24, 2010|work=[[Law360]]|accessdate=December 28, 2017}}</ref> ====Trademark issues==== Nintendo's "Wii" trademark was filed in 2006, but it wasn't registered by the [[Us government|US government]] until July 27, 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://kotaku.com/5599903/wii-is-now-a-registered-trademark|title=Wii Is Now a Registered Trademark|last=Totilo|first=Stephen|work=Kotaku|access-date=2018-07-22|language=en-US}}</ref> The trademark application for the Wii Remote was initially rejected by the [[United States Patent and Trademark Office]]. The USPTO claimed that the word "[[Remote control|remote]]" is commonly used, and therefore should not be trademarked. The USPTO would accept Nintendo's trademark filing if the company disclaims exclusive rights to the word "remote" in the term.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=9172|title=Nintendo has a hard time trademarking Wii Remote|last=Pioli|first=Christopher|date=December 4, 2008|publisher=Games Are Fun|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209042447/http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=9172|archivedate=December 9, 2008|accessdate=January 7, 2009}}</ref> In 2000, the term "[[Weemote]]" was trademarked by [[Fobis Technologies]] and was later used as the name of their remote designed for young children.<ref name="time">{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1824499,00.html|title=The Weemote vs. Wiimote Tiff|author=Padgett, Tim|date=2008-07-18|work=TIME.com|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.remotecentral.com/weemote/index.html|title=RC: Fobis Technologies Weemote Kids' Remote Control Review (1)|website=www.remotecentral.com|access-date=2018-07-22}}</ref> While spelled differently, the term "Weemote" is phonetically identical to "Wiimote", the unofficial term for the Wii Remote.<ref name="time" /><ref name="gp1">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2008/07/23/small-firm039s-weemote-came-first-steamrolled-nintendo039s-wiimote|title=Small Firm's Weemote Came First, But Steamrolled by Nintendo's Wiimote|date=2008-07-23|work=GamePolitics.com|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref> Fobis Technologies claims this to be [[trademark infringement]], however Nintendo does not actually use the term "Wiimote" in official promotional materials; but many retailers that sell the Wii Remote do use the term.<ref name="gp1" /> Fobis sent out up to 100 [[cease and desist]] letters to retailers and have made offers to Nintendo for them to purchase the trademark.<ref name="time" /><ref name="gp1" /> Nintendo declined the offer, stating that it "does not use and does not plan to use the Weemote trademark".<ref name="gp2">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2008/07/24/nintendo-comments-weemote-wiimote-flap-online-retailer-pressured|title=Nintendo Comments on Weemote-Wiimote Flap; Online Retailer Pressured|date=2008-07-24|work=GamePolitics.com|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref> ==Features== {{See also|Wii system software}} The console has a number of internal features made available from its hardware and [[firmware]] components. The hardware allows for extendability (via expansion ports), while the firmware (and some software) can receive periodic updates via the [[WiiConnect24]] service.<!-- The latest firmware version for the Wii system is 2.2U. In order to use Channels requiring Internet access, a firmware update is required.<ref name="IGN Firmware">{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/745/745341p1.html|title=IGN: Wii Channels to Require Upgrade|accessdate=October 12, 2006|date=October 10, 2006}}</ref> --> ===Wii Menu=== [[File:Wiimen.png|thumb|[[Wii Menu]]|alt=Screenshot of Wii Menu]] {{Main article|Wii Menu}} The Wii Menu interface is designed to emulate [[television channel]]s. Separate channels are graphically displayed in a grid, and are navigated using the pointer capability of the [[Wii Remote]]. Except for the Disc Channel, it is possible to change the arrangement by holding down the A and B buttons to "grab" channels and move them around. There are six primary channels: the Disc Channel, Mii Channel, Photo Channel, Wii Shop Channel, Forecast Channel and News Channel. The latter two were initially unavailable at launch, but were later activated in updates. The Wii + Internet Video Channel was installed in consoles manufactured after September 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/channelsWiiInternetVideo.jsp |title=Customer Service &#124; Wii - Wii + Internet Channel Video |publisher=Nintendo |accessdate=November 11, 2010}}</ref> Additional channels are available for download from the [[Wii Shop Channel]] through [[WiiWare]], and appear with each [[Virtual Console]] title; these include the [[Everybody Votes Channel]], [[Internet Channel]], [[Check Mii Out Channel]] and the [[Nintendo Channel]]. {{As of|2010|10|18|df=US}}, Wii owners can download the [[Netflix]] Channel from the Wii Shop Channel.<ref name="Netflix-Nodisc">{{cite web|author= Devindra Hardawar |url=https://venturebeat.com/2010/10/18/netflix-streaming-video-now-disc-free-on-the-nintendo-wii/ |title=Netflix streaming video now disc-free on the Nintendo Wii |publisher=VentureBeat |date=October 18, 2010 |accessdate=November 11, 2010}}</ref> ===Backward compatibility=== <!-- - Wii Download Games Should not Be Mixed With Launch Titles - --> [[File:Wii-gamecube-compatibility.jpg|thumb|The first model of the Wii has [[Nintendo GameCube]] Memory Card and controller slots to provide backward compatibility.|alt=Wii console with black GameCube controller]] Wii consoles with the original design are [[backward compatibility|backward-compatible]] with all [[Nintendo GameCube]] software, Nintendo GameCube Memory Cards and controllers. Software compatibility is achieved by the slot-loading drive's ability to accept [[Nintendo optical disc|Nintendo GameCube Game Discs]]. However, redesigned "Family Edition" Wiis and the Wii Mini are not backward-compatible.<ref name="Wii2.0" /> A Wii console running a GameCube disc is restricted to GameCube functionality, and GameCube controller is required to play GameCube titles. A Nintendo GameCube Memory Card is also necessary to save game progress and content, since the Wii internal flash memory will not save GameCube games.<ref name=CNETAcc>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9663541-1.html|title=Must-have Nintendo Wii accessories|first=John P.|last=Falcone|date=November 16, 2006|accessdate=September 13, 2012|publisher=CNET}}</ref> Also, backward compatibility is limited in some areas. For example, online and LAN-enabled features for Nintendo GameCube titles are unavailable on the Wii, since the console lacks serial ports for the [[Nintendo GameCube Broadband Adapter and Modem Adapter]].<ref name=CNETFAQ>{{cite web|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10166_7-6676348-1.html|title=Which of my older video games will work on the new consoles?|date=December 12, 2006|first=John|last=Falcone|publisher=CNET|accessdate=September 13, 2012}}</ref> ===Nintendo DS connectivity=== The Wii system supports wireless connectivity with the [[Nintendo DS]] without any additional accessories. This connectivity allows the player to use the Nintendo DS microphone and [[touchscreen]] as inputs for Wii games. The first game utilizing Nintendo DS-Wii connectivity is ''[[Pokémon Battle Revolution]]''. Players with either the [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl|''Pokémon Diamond'' or ''Pearl'']] Nintendo DS games are able to play battles using the Nintendo DS as a controller.<ref name="connectivity returns">{{cite web|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|date=June 7, 2006|url= http://wii.ign.com/articles/711/711657p1.html|title=Connectivity Returns|publisher=IGN|accessdate=June 7, 2006}}</ref> ''[[Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time]]'', released on both Nintendo DS and Wii, features connectivity in which both games can advance simultaneously. Nintendo later released the [[Nintendo Channel]], which allows Wii owners to download [[game demo]]s or additional data to their Nintendo DS in a process similar to that of a [[DS Download Station]].<ref name="Iwata Tech-On 3">{{cite web|first=Naoki|last=Asami|author2=Hiroki Yomogita |date=May 25, 2006|url=http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20060525/117498/?P=3|title=Regaining what we have lost: Nintendo CEO Iwata's Ambitions for the "Wii"|work=Tech-On!|page=3|publisher=Nikkei Business Publications|accessdate=June 9, 2006}}</ref> The console is also able to expand Nintendo DS games.<ref name="connectivity returns" /> ===Online connectivity=== {{Main article|Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection|WiiConnect24|Internet Channel|List of Wii Wi-Fi Connection games}} The Wii console connects to the Internet through its built-in [[IEEE 802.11#802.11b|802.11b]]/[[IEEE 802.11#802.11g|g]] Wi-Fi or through a USB-to-Ethernet adapter; either method allows players to access the [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]] service.<ref name="Wii: The Total Story" /> The service has several features for the console, including the [[Virtual Console]], [[WiiConnect24]], [[Internet Channel]], [[Forecast Channel]], [[Everybody Votes Channel]], [[News Channel (Wii)|News Channel]] and the [[Mii|Check Mii Out Channel]]. The Wii can also communicate (and connect) with other Wii systems through a self-generated wireless [[local area network|LAN]], enabling local wireless multi-playing on different television sets. ''[[Battalion Wars 2]]'' first demonstrated this feature for non-split screen multi-playing between two (or more) televisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/727/727651p1.html|title=Battalion Wars 2 Hands On|publisher=IGN|first=Mario|last=Kablau|date=August 23, 2006|accessdate=January 25, 2007}}</ref> On April 9, 2008, the BBC announced that its online [[BBC iPlayer]] would be available on the Wii via the [[Internet Channel]] browser; however, some users experienced difficulty with the service. On November 18, 2009, [[BBC iPlayer]] on the Wii was relaunched as the BBC iPlayer Channel,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8357777.stm|title=BBC iPlayer launches Wii channel|publisher=BBC|accessdate=December 26, 2009 | date=November 13, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2009/11/the_new_iplayer_on_the_nintend.html|title=The new iPlayer on the Nintendo Wii|publisher=BBC|accessdate=December 26, 2009}}</ref> a free download from the [[Wii Shop Channel]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/playing_tv_progs/nintendo_Wii|title=Can I access BBC iPlayer on my Nintendo Wii game system?|publisher=BBC|accessdate=September 27, 2010}}</ref> however, the service is only available to people in the United Kingdom. On December 26, 2008, Nintendo announced a new video channel for the Wii.<ref>{{cite news|last=Williams|first= Martyn|url=http://www.itworld.com/personal-tech/59808/nintendos-wii-get-video-channel-2009|title=Nintendo's Wii to get video channel in 2009|publisher=ITworld|date=December 26, 2008|accessdate=December 20, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iDAYNeM4idRhaY1Rk_VQvUZb1qOw|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207094733/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iDAYNeM4idRhaY1Rk_VQvUZb1qOw|archivedate=February 7, 2009|title=Nintendo says to offer videos on Wii|location=Tokyo|date=December 25, 2008|agency= AFP|accessdate=January 7, 2009}}</ref> {{as of|2010|10|18|df=US}}, American and Canadian Wii owners can watch [[Netflix]] instantly on a channel (without requiring a disc).<ref name="Netflix-Nodisc"/> ===Parental controls=== The console features [[parental controls]], which can be used to prohibit younger users from playing games with content unsuitable for their age level. When one attempts to play a Wii or [[Virtual Console]] game, it reads the content rating encoded in the game data; if this rating is greater than the system's set age level, the game will not load without a password. Parental controls may also restrict Internet access, which blocks the [[Internet Channel]] and system-update features. Since the console is restricted to [[Nintendo GameCube]] functionality when playing Nintendo GameCube Game Discs, GameCube software is unaffected by Wii parental-control settings.<ref name=CNETParent>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9880634-1.html|title=Super-Easy Game Play - Nintendo Wii Reviewi|publisher=PC Magazine|first=Will|last=Greenwald|date=February 29, 2008|accessdate=September 13, 2012}}</ref> European units primarily use the [[Pan European Game Information|PEGI]] rating system,<ref name="par_pegi">{{cite news|url= http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=10948|title=Revolution To Feature Parental Controls|publisher=[[Nintendo World Report]]|date=November 16, 2005 |accessdate=September 25, 2008}}</ref> while North American units use the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] rating system.<ref name="par_esrb">{{cite press release|url=https://www.nintendo.com/newsarticle?articleid=z5UnNGZpQKWULzG0z8R501PA5IHoNPr2|title=Nintendo Announces Play Control System For Next Hardware|publisher= Nintendo|date=November 16, 2005|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213012428/http://www.nintendo.com/newsarticle?articleid=z5UnNGZpQKWULzG0z8R501PA5IHoNPr2|archivedate=February 13, 2007}}</ref> The Wii supports the rating systems of many countries, including [[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]] in Japan, the [[Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle|USK]] in Germany, the [[Pan European Game Information|PEGI]] and [[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]] in the United Kingdom, the [[Australian Classification Board|ACB]] in Australia and the [[Office of Film and Literature Classification (New Zealand)|OFLC]] in New Zealand. Homebrew developers have reverse-engineered the function which Nintendo uses to recover lost parental-control passwords, creating a simple script to obtain parental-control reset codes.<ref>{{cite web|author=marcan |url=http://hackmii.com/2008/05/parental-controls/ |title=Parental Controls |publisher=HackmMii.com |date=May 15, 2008 |accessdate=July 3, 2009}}</ref> ==Reception== The Wii has received generally positive reviews. The system was well received after its exhibition at [[History of the Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2006]]. At the event, Nintendo's console won the [[Game Critics Awards]] for Best of Show and Best Hardware.<ref name="E3 Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2006winners.html|title=2006 Winners|accessdate=August 13, 2006|work=Game Critics Awards}}</ref> In the December 2006 issue of ''[[Popular Science]]'', the console was named a Grand Award Winner in home entertainment.<ref name="pop-sci-nov06-80">{{Cite journal|title=Best of What's New 2006 - Home Entertainment|journal=[[Popular Science]]|volume=269|issue=6|date=December 2006|pages=&nbsp;80}}</ref> [[Spike (TV channel)|Spike TV]]'s Video Games Award cited the Wii's breakthrough technology.<ref name="Spike TV Award">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6162929.html? |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207083115/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6162929.html |archivedate=February 7, 2007 |title=Oblivion nabs Spike TV top honors |accessdate=March 10, 2007 |publisher=GameSpot |first=Tim |last=Surette |date=December 9, 2006 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> [[GameSpot]] chose the console as having the best hardware in its "Best and Worst 2006" awards.<ref name="Gamespot Award">{{cite web|url= http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/achievement/index.html?page=21|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070203011403/http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/achievement/index.html?page=21|archivedate= February 3, 2007|title=GameSpot Best Games and Worst Games of 2006|accessdate=March 10, 2007|publisher=GameSpot}}</ref> The system was also chosen as one of ''[[PCWorld (magazine)|PC World]]'' magazine's 20 Most Innovative Products of the Year.<ref name="PC World Award">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/128176-2/the_20_most_innovative_products_of_the_year.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118042456/http://www.pcworld.com/article/id%2C128176-page%2C2-c%2Celectronics/article.html |archivedate=January 18, 2008 |title=The 20 Most Innovative Products of the Year |accessdate=March 10, 2007 |publisher=''[[PCWorld (magazine)|PC World]]'' |date=December 27, 2006 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> The console received a Golden Joystick for Innovation of the Year 2007 at the [[Golden Joystick Award]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/28700/Gears-of-War-swoops-Golden-Joysticks|title=Gears of War scoops Golden Joysticks|first=Ben|last=Parfitt|publisher=mcvuk.com|date=October 26, 2007| accessdate=October 31, 2007}}</ref> In the category of Engineering & Technology for Creation and Implementation of Video Games and Platforms, Nintendo was awarded an Emmy Award for Game Controller Innovation by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.<ref>[http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/tech_2k7_winners.html Winners of 59th Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509070210/http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/tech_2k7_winners.html |date=May 9, 2008 }}. January 8, 2008. Retrieved on January 14, 2008</ref> In 2009, [[IGN]] named the Wii the 10th greatest console of all time (out of 25).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/top-25-consoles/10.html |title=Nintendo Wii is number 10 |publisher=IGN |accessdate=November 11, 2010}}</ref> The Wii's success caught third-party developers by surprise, leading to apologies for the quality of their early games. In an interview with German news magazine ''[[Der Spiegel]]'', [[Ubisoft]]'s Yves Guillemot and Alain Corre admitted that they made a mistake in rushing out their launch titles, promising to take future projects more seriously.<ref>{{cite web|last=Görig|first=Carsten|newspaper=[[Der Spiegel]]|title=Spieler verzweifelt gesucht|date=May 30, 2007|url= http://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/spielzeug/0,1518,485385,00.html|language=German|accessdate=June 18, 2007}}</ref> [[Take-Two Interactive]], which released few games for the [[Nintendo GameCube]], changed its stance towards Nintendo by placing a higher priority on the Wii.<ref>{{cite web|last=Seff|first=Micah|publisher=IGN|title=Take-Two Grows Hungry for Wii|date=April 10, 2007|url= http://wii.ign.com/articles/779/779642p1.html|accessdate=June 18, 2007}}</ref> At the same time, criticism of the Wii Remote and Wii hardware specifications has surfaced. Former GameSpot editor and Giantbomb.com founder [[Jeff Gerstmann]] stated that the controller's speaker produces low-quality sound,<ref name="Tinny Speaker">{{cite web|last= Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=November 17, 2006|url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/thelegendofzelda/review.html|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=March 7, 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070303150330/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/thelegendofzelda/review.html <!-- add web archive if available --> |archivedate = March 3, 2007}}</ref> while [[Factor 5]] President Julian Eggebrecht criticized the hardware audio as substandard for a console of its generation.<ref name="Rock You">{{cite web|last= Radd| first=David|title=Wii Won't Rock You|date=November 17, 2006|publisher=GameDaily.biz|accessdate=January 31, 2007|url= http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/opinion-wii-wont-rock-you/69717/?biz=1|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071211233003/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/opinion-wii-wont-rock-you/69717/?biz=1|archivedate= December 11, 2007}}</ref> UK-based developer [[Crytek UK|Free Radical Design]] stated that the Wii hardware lacks the power necessary to run the software it scheduled for release on other seventh-generation consoles.<ref name="Free Radical">{{cite web|url=http://www.frd.co.uk/faq.php?id=3#faq_3|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214224330/http://www.frd.co.uk/faq.php?id=3#faq_3|archivedate=December 14, 2007|title=Free Radical Design FAQ}} frd.co.uk. Retrieved March 8, 2007.</ref> Online connectivity of the Wii was also criticized; [[Matt Casamassina]] of [[IGN]] compared it to the "entirely unintuitive" service provided for the [[Nintendo DS]].<ref>Casamassina, Matt (January 24, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070303144047/http://wii.ign.com/mail/2007-01-24.html N-Query]. [[IGN]]. Retrieved January 27, 2007.</ref> Game designer and ''[[The Sims]]'' creator [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]] shared his thoughts on the Wii in the context of the current console generation: "The only next gen system I've seen is the Wii&nbsp;– the PS3 and the Xbox 360 feel like better versions of the last, but pretty much the same game with incremental improvement. But the Wii feels like a major jump&nbsp;– not that the graphics are more powerful, but that it hits a completely different demographic."<ref name="wii_next_gen">{{cite news| publisher=Guardian Unlimited|date=October 26, 2007|title=Q&A: Will Wright, creator of the Sims|author=Johnson, Bobbie|url= https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2007/oct/26/willwright|accessdate=September 25, 2008 | location=London}}</ref> The Wii is seen as more physically demanding than other game consoles.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116441076273232312|title=A Wii Workout: When Videogames Hurt|first= Jamin|last=Warren|date=November 25, 2006|publisher=Wall Street Journal|accessdate=January 16, 2008}}</ref> Some Wii players have experienced a form of [[tennis elbow]], known as "Wiiitis".<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0616721120070606|title=If it's not tennis elbow, it may be "Wiiitis"|date= June 6, 2007|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=March 27, 2008}}</ref> A study published in the ''[[BMJ|British Medical Journal]]'' stated that Wii players use more energy than they do playing sedentary computer games. While this energy increase may be beneficial to weight management, it was not an adequate replacement for regular exercise.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7155342.stm|title=Wii players need to exercise too|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|date=December 21, 2007|accessdate= September 25, 2008}}</ref> A case study published in the American Physical Therapy Association's journal, ''Physical Therapy'', focused on use of the Wii for rehabilitation in a teenager with [[cerebral palsy]]. It is believed to be the first published research demonstrating physical-therapy benefits from use of the gaming system. Researchers say the system complements traditional techniques through use of simultaneous [[gaming rehabilitation]] efforts.<ref>[http://newswise.com/articles/view/544616/ Research Shows Rehabilitation Benefits of Using Nintendo Wii] Newswise. Retrieved September 28, 2008.</ref> In May 2010 the [[American Heart Association]] (AHA) endorsed the Wii to encourage [[Sedentary lifestyle|sedentary people]] to take the first step toward fitness. The AHA heart icon covers the console and two of its more-active games, [[Wii Fit Plus]] and [[Wii Sports Resort]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thedailynewsonline.com/lifestyles/features/article_27fe3fe5-44c0-54e0-b832-774f692c78b4.html |title=Heart group backs Wii video game console in obesity campaign |author=Joel Schectman |agency=Associated Press |date=May 17, 2010 |newspaper=The Daily News (N.Y.) |accessdate=December 28, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120720210916/http://thedailynewsonline.com/lifestyles/features/article_27fe3fe5-44c0-54e0-b832-774f692c78b4.html |archivedate=July 20, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.activeplaynow.com/ |title=American Heart Association and Nintendo of America Online Information Center |publisher=Activeplaynow.com |date=January 20, 2010 |accessdate=November 11, 2010}}</ref> By 2008, two years after the Wii's release,<ref name=IwataAsksWiiU1>{{cite web|title=Iwata Asks: E3 2011 Special Edition|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/iwata/iwata_asks_special_edition_wii_u_43781_43761.html|page=1|accessdate=June 9, 2011|quote='''Iwata''': I've been looking back at my calendar right before this interview, and I noticed that it's been just about three years since we started having meetings about this.}}</ref> Nintendo acknowledged several limitations and challenges with the system (such as the perception that the system catered primarily to a "[[Casual game|casual]]" audience<ref name=IwataAsksWiiU2>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/iwata/iwata_asks_special_edition_wii_u_43781_43761.html|title=Iwata Asks: E3 2011 Special Edition|page=7|accessdate=June 9, 2011|quote='''Iwata''': The other things is, shortly after the Wii console was released, people in the gaming media and game enthusiasts started recognizing the Wii as a casual machine aimed toward families, and placed game consoles by Microsoft and Sony in a very similar light with each other, saying these are machines aimed towards those who passionately play games. [...] It was a categorization between games that were aimed towards core, and casual.}}</ref> and was unpopular among "[[Core gamer|core]]" gamers).<ref name=IwataAsksWiiU3>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/iwata/iwata_asks_special_edition_wii_u_43781_43761.html|title=Iwata Asks: E3 2011 Special Edition|page=7|accessdate=June 9, 2011|quote='''Iwata''': On the other hand, I certainly do not think that Wii was able to cater to every gamer's needs, so that's also something I wanted to resolve. [...] The keyword for our presentation at this year's E3 is "Deeper and Wider". With Wii U, I would like to offer this proposal with that concept.}}</ref> Game designer [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] admitted that the lack of support for [[high definition television|high definition]] video output on the Wii and its limited network infrastructure also contributed to the system being regarded separately from its competitors' systems, the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]].<ref name=IwataAsksWiiU4>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/iwata/iwata_asks_special_edition_wii_u_43781_43761.html|title=Iwata Asks: E3 2011 Special Edition|page=7|accessdate=June 9, 2011|quote='''Miyamoto''': But one of the key reasons that such things as the core and the casuals exist today is that we decided not to adopt HD on the Wii console. Of course, besides that there are things like issues with the controller and the challenges that it brings, network functionalities and many other things, but I think HD was the biggest factor that everyone was able to clearly understand the difference.}}</ref> An executive for Frontline Studios stated that major publishers were wary of releasing exclusive titles for the Wii, due to the perception that third-party companies were not strongly supported by consumers.<ref name="Wary Publishers">{{cite web|last= Martin|first=Matt|title=Publishers wary of creating Nintendo titles, says Wii developer|date=January 24, 2007|publisher=[[Eurogamer|GamesIndustry.biz]]|accessdate=January 27, 2007|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/publishers-wary-of-creating-nintendo-titles-says-wii-developer|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211030359/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=22368| archivedate=December 11, 2007 }}</ref> In his [[blog]], [[1UP.com]] editor Jeremy Parish stated that Nintendo was the biggest disappointment for him in 2007. Commenting on the lack of quality third-party support, he stated that "the Wii landscape is bleak. Worse than it was on N64. Worse than on GameCube...the resulting third-party content is overwhelmingly bargain-bin trash."<ref name="JeremyParish2007">{{cite web|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|title=-3 in 2007|publisher=[[1UP.com]] blog|url=http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8601568&publicUserId=5379721|date=January 29, 2008|accessdate=September 25, 2008|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522130049/http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8601568&publicUserId=5379721|archivedate=May 22, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' and ''Forbes'' noted that the Wii had few successful third-party titles compared to its rivals (due, in part, to its weaker hardware). Third-party developers often skipped the Wii instead of making games for all three consoles simultaneously ("blockbusters like the ''[[Call of Duty]]'' franchise either never arrive on Nintendo hardware or show up in neutered form"). ''Forbes'' observed that of the most successful games of 2011 (''[[The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim]], [[Mass Effect 3]], [[Portal 2]], [[L.A. Noire]], [[Battlefield 3]], [[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3]]''), although all were released for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, only ''Modern Warfare 3'' received a Wii version which was also the least positively received port of the game. The lack of third-party games may be exacerbated in the future, as Nintendo faces the "dilemma of having fallen out of sync with its rivals in the console cycle"; Microsoft and Sony would design their consoles to be more powerful than the [[Wii U]]. Strong third-party titles are seen as a key sign of a gaming console's health.<ref name="theglobeandmail">{{cite news| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/video-games/controller-freak/whats-wrong-with-nintendo/article2219854/ | location=Toronto | work=The Globe and Mail | title=What's wrong with Nintendo? | date=October 31, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2012/04/26/nintendo-reports-461-2m-in-losses-is-selling-3ds-below-cost/ | title=Nintendo Reports $461.2M in Losses | work=Forbes | first=Paul | last=Tassi | date=April 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2012/05/10/sony-posts-record-losses-as-playstation-sales-drop/ | title=Cardiac Arrests At Sony, Nintendo As Consoles Show Their Age | work=Forbes | first=Paul | last=Tassi}}</ref> ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', in suggesting why Nintendo posted a record loss of $926&nbsp;million for the initial six months of its 2011–2012 fiscal year, blamed the Wii's design for being "short-sighted". The Wii initially enjoyed phenomenal success because it was inexpensive (due to its being less sophisticated than its competitors) and introduced a "gaming gimmick". However, this approach meant that the Wii's hardware soon became outdated and could not keep up long-term (in contrast to more-advanced rivals such as Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, which are expected to continue doing well in 2012–2013) "as both user desires and surrounding technologies evolved" later in the [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|generation]]. Furthermore, price cuts and the introduction of motion-sensor controllers for the Xbox 360 and PS3 nullified advantages once held by the Wii. ''The Globe'' suggested that there were other reasons for Nintendo's poor financial performance, including a strong yen and a tepid reception to the [[Nintendo 3DS]] handheld as mobile gaming becomes popular on smartphones and tablets (such as the [[iPad]]).<ref name="theglobeandmail" /> ==={{anchor|System Sales}}Sales=== <!-- see [[WP:MSH]] about section names --> <!-- This section is linked from this article's infobox --> <!-- Do not change these numbers without a reference --> <!-- VGCHARTZ.COM and NEXGENWARS.COM are ''not'' reliable sources --> {{Main article|Wii sales}} {{As of|2016|03|31|df=US}}, the Wii has sold 101.63&nbsp;million consoles worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/hard_soft/|title=IR Information : Sales Data - Hardware and Software Sales Units|work=Nintendo Co., Ltd.}}</ref> Since its launch, monthly sales numbers of the console have generally been higher than its competitors around the globe. According to the [[NPD Group]], the Wii sold more units in the United States than the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]] combined in the first half of 2007.<ref name="wiisalesUSA">{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2007/07/first-half-of-console-sales-for-2007-nintendo-the-big-winner-ps3-dead-last.ars|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070915005040/http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070724-first-half-of-console-sales-for-2007-nintendo-the-big-winner-ps3-dead-last.html |archivedate=September 15, 2007|date= July 24, 2007|first=Ben|last=Kuchera|title= Nintendo the big winner, PS3 dead last for the first half of 2007|publisher=Ars Technica| accessdate= July 31, 2007}}</ref> This lead is even larger in the Japanese market, where it currently leads in total sales (having outsold both consoles by factors of 2:1<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/xbox-360-trumps-ps3-japan |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815200311/http://www.next-gen.biz/news/xbox-360-trumps-ps3-japan |archivedate=August 15, 2011|title=Xbox 360 Trumps PS3 in Japan|publisher=''Edge'' online|date=November 9, 2007|accessdate= November 27, 2007}}</ref> to 6:1<ref name="wiisalesJapan">{{cite web|url=http://wii.qj.net/Media-Create-sales-stats-July-9-15-Nintendo-continues-domination/pg/49/aid/98118|date=July 21, 2007|author= Nicolo S.|title=Media Create sales stats (July 9–15): Nintendo continues domination|publisher=qj.net|accessdate= August 1, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211065100/http://wii.qj.net/Media-Create-sales-stats-July-9-15-Nintendo-continues-domination/pg/49/aid/98118|archivedate=February 11, 2009}}</ref> nearly every week from its launch to November 2007).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=176131|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609023356/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=176131|archivedate=June 9, 2008| title=PS3 tops Wii in Japan... AGAIN|publisher=[[ComputerAndVideoGames.com]]|first=Mike|last=Jackson|date=November 22, 2007|accessdate= September 25, 2008}}</ref> In Australia the Wii broke the record set by the [[Xbox 360]] and became the fastest-selling game console in Australian history, selling 32,901 units within the first four days of the console’s release.<ref name="wiibreaksxbox360record">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/games/wii-breaks-xbox-sales-record/2006/12/14/1165685799546.html|date=December 14, 2006|first=Asher|last=Moses|publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|title=Wii breaks Xbox 360 sales record|accessdate=August 30, 2007}}</ref> It also broke the 360’s Australian record for the quickest amount of time to sell 100,000 units, reaching the milestone within six months and two weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/100000-wiis-sold-in-australia/1100-6172865/ |first=Randolph |last=Ramsay |title=100,000 Wiis sold in Australia |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |date= June 21, 2007 |accessdate=October 31, 2017}}</ref> On September 12, 2007, the ''[[Financial Times]]'' reported that the Wii had surpassed the Xbox 360 (released a year earlier) and had become market leader in home-console sales for the current generation, based on sales figures from [[Enterbrain]], NPD Group and [[GfK]]. This was the first time a Nintendo console led its generation in sales since the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref name="wiileads">{{cite web|title=Nintendo Wii Outsells All Other Game Consoles|publisher=Ziff Davis|work=PC World|date=September 12, 2007|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2182666,00.asp|accessdate=September 21, 2012}}</ref> On July 11, 2007, Nintendo warned that the Wii would remain in short supply throughout that calendar year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://money.cnn.com/2007/07/11/news/companies/wii/index.htm|publisher=CNN|date=July 11, 2007|title=Christmas morn without a Wii? |accessdate=October 23, 2008}}</ref> In December, [[Reggie Fils-Aimé]] revealed that Nintendo was producing approximately 1.8&nbsp;million Wii consoles each month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=4001054&page=1 |date=December 18, 2007|title=Can't Find a Wii? Take a Rain Check|first=Ashley|last=Phililps|publisher=ABC News|accessdate=October 23, 2008}}</ref> Some UK stores still had a shortage of consoles in March 2007,<ref name="UKWii Shortage March">{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/770/770565p1.html |title=UK Wiis "Like Gold Dust"|date=March 6, 2007|accessdate=April 18, 2007|publisher=IGN|first=Rob|last=Burman}}</ref> demand still outpaced supply in the United States in June 2007,<ref name="USWii Shortage June">{{cite web|url=http://www.komonews.com/news/tech/8252247.html |title=Demand for Wii still outpaces supply |date=June 29, 2007 |accessdate=July 1, 2007 |publisher=komo-tv |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507114232/http://www.komonews.com/news/tech/8252247.html |archivedate=May 7, 2012 }}</ref> and the console was "selling out almost as quickly as it hits retail shelves" in Canada in April 2008.<ref name="CanadaNPD"/><ref name="CanadaNPD2"/> In October 2008 Nintendo announced that between October and December the Wii would have its North American supplies increased considerably from 2007 levels,<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.nintendo.ca/cgi-bin/usersite/display_info.cgi?lang=en&pageNum=9&id=1955846 |title=Nintendo's holiday 2008: Wii Speak Channel, Club Nintendo, more surprises |publisher=Nintendo |date=October 2, 2008 |accessdate=October 23, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112130457/http://www.nintendo.ca/cgi-bin/usersite/display_info.cgi?lang=en |archivedate=November 12, 2008 }}</ref> while producing 2.4&nbsp;million Wii units a month worldwide (compared to 1.6&nbsp;million per month in 2007).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/27/business/fi-nintendo27| title=Nintendo moves right along |first=Alex|last= Pham| newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date= October 27, 2008|accessdate=December 7, 2008}}</ref> In the United States the Wii sold 10.9&nbsp;million units by July 1, 2008, making it the leader in current-generation home console sales according to the NPD Group (and surpassing the Xbox&nbsp;360).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/6194691.html|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081013021113/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6194691.html|archivedate= October 13, 2008 |title=NPD: PS3 sales spike on MGS4|first=Tom|last=Magrino|date=July 17, 2008|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=November 22, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.next-gen.biz/news/npd-wii-overtakes-360-us|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110815200337/http://www.next-gen.biz/news/npd-wii-overtakes-360-us|archivedate= August 15, 2011 | title=NPD: Wii Overtakes 360 in US|first=Joe|last=Keiser|publisher= ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]''|date=July 17, 2008|accessdate=November 22, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/techchron/detail?blogid=19&entry_id=28286 |title = E3: Nintendo Wii pulls ahead of Xbox 360 in console sales|first=Ryan|last=Kim| publisher=San Francisco Chronicle|date=July 17, 2008|accessdate=November 22, 2008}}</ref> In Japan the Wii surpassed the number of [[GameCube]] units sold by January 2008;<ref name=Japan2007>{{cite web|url= http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16914|title=Wii Sports Named Best Selling Game Of 2007 In Japan| last = Jenkins| first=David|date=January 11, 2008|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|accessdate=February 2, 2008}}</ref> it sold 7,526,821 units by December 2008, according to Enterbrain.<ref name=Japan2008>{{cite web|url= http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1221045_1124.html |script-title=ja:2008年国内ゲーム市場規模は約5826億1000万円（エンターブレイン調べ）|work=[[Famitsu]]|publisher=[[Enterbrain]]|language=Japanese|date=January 5, 2009|accessdate=January 15, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5123288/last-year-japanese-game-market-experienced-shrinkage|title=Last Year, Japanese Game Market Experienced Shrinkage|first=Brian|last=Ashcraft|publisher=Kotaku|date= January 5, 2009|accessdate=January 15, 2009}}</ref> According to the NPD Group the Wii surpassed the Xbox&nbsp;360 to become the best-selling "next-generation" home video-game console in Canada (with 813,000 units sold by April 1, 2008), and was the best-selling home console for 13 of the previous 17&nbsp;months.<ref name="CanadaNPD">{{cite press release|url= http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2008/17/c6749.html|title=Wii surpasses all other next generation consoles in lifetime sales|accessdate=April 24, 2008|date= April 17, 2008|publisher=[[Nintendo]]}}</ref><ref name="CanadaNPD2">{{cite news|url= http://evergeek.thestar.com/news/2996.aspx|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080522144621/http://evergeek.thestar.com/news/2996.aspx|archivedate= May 22, 2008|title= NPD reports Nintendo Wii tops Canadian sales charts|date=April 22, 2008|work=Evergeek Media|publisher=[[Toronto Star]]|accessdate= August 2, 2008}}</ref> According to the NPD Group the Wii had sold a total of 1,060,000 units in Canada by August 2008, making it the first current-generation home console to surpass the million-unit mark in that country. In the United Kingdom the Wii leads in current-generation home-console sales with 4.9&nbsp;million units sold {{as of|2009|01|03|lc=y|df=US}}, according to GfK [[Chart-Track]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/console-installed-base-reaches-22m-in-uk|title= Console installed base reaches 22m in UK|first=Matt|last=Martin|work=[[Eurogamer|GamesIndustry.biz]]|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]|date=January 13, 2009| accessdate=January 15, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/31902/Nintendo-rules-official-UK-hardware-figures | title= Nintendo rules official UK hardware figures|first=Tim|last=Ingham|date=September 30, 2008|publisher=[[Market for Home Computing and Video Games]]|accessdate= October 2, 2008}}</ref> On March 25, 2009 at the [[Game Developers Conference]], [[Satoru Iwata]] said that worldwide shipments of Wii had reached 50&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6206693.html?tag=recent_news;title;1 |title=Nintendo's GDC conference |date=March 25, 2009 |accessdate=March 25, 2009 |first=Tor |last=Thorsen |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326162924/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6206693.html?tag=recent_news%3Btitle%3B1 |archivedate=March 26, 2009 |df= }}</ref> According to [[GfK|GfK Australia]], the Wii had sold over 500,000 units in Australia within 84 weeks of its release, beating the [[PlayStation 2]] and the [[Nintendo DS|DS]] as the fastest system to accumulate 500,000 sales in that country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/500000-wiis-sold-in-australia/1100-6194895/ |title=500,000 Wiis sold in Australia |first=James |last=Kozanecki |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |date=July 23, 2008 |accessdate=October 31, 2008}}</ref> While Microsoft and Sony have experienced losses producing their consoles in the hopes of making a long-term profit on software sales, Nintendo reportedly has optimized production costs to obtain a significant profit margin with each Wii unit sold.<ref name="wiisalesprofit">{{cite web|url= http://seekingalpha.com/article/34357-game-console-wars-ii-nintendo-shaves-off-profits-leaving-competition-scruffy|date=May 3, 2007|author=Roger Ehrenberg|title=Game Console Wars II: Nintendo Shaves Off Profits, Leaving Competition Scruffy|publisher=seekingalpha.com| accessdate=June 10, 2007}}</ref> On September 17, 2007 the ''Financial Times'' reported that the direct profit per Wii sold may vary, from $13 in Japan to $49 in the United States and $79 in Europe.<ref name="wiiunitsprofit">{{cite web|url= http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/report-nintendo-makes-about-49-per-wii-sold-in-us/70921/?biz=1|date=September 17, 2007|first=James|last=Brightman|title=Report: Nintendo Makes About $49 Per Wii Sold in U.S| publisher=gamingdaily.BIZ|accessdate=September 18, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815075610/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/report-nintendo-makes-about-49-per-wii-sold-in-us/70921/?biz=1|archivedate=August 15, 2010}}</ref> On December 2, 2008, ''[[Forbes]]'' reported that Nintendo made a $6 operating profit per Wii unit sold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6201833.html|title=Report: Nintendo banks $6 on each Wii sold|first=Tom|last=Magrino|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=December 2, 2008|accessdate=December 7, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815075610/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/report-nintendo-makes-about-49-per-wii-sold-in-us/70921/?biz=1|archivedate=August 15, 2010}}</ref> On September 23, 2009, Nintendo announced its first price reductions for the console.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/2009/090924.html |title= ニュースリリース：2009年9月24日 | publisher =Nintendo.co.jp |accessdate=November 11, 2010}}</ref> Nintendo sold more than three&nbsp;million Wii consoles in the U.S. in December 2009 (setting a regional record for the month and ending nine months of declining sales), due to the price cut and software releases such as ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''.<ref>{{cite web| author= Pavel Alpeyev| date= January 5, 2010| title= Nintendo Shares Rise After Record Wii Sales in U.S| publisher=[[Bloomberg Businessweek|BusinessWeek]]|url= http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-05/nintendo-shares-rise-after-record-wii-sales-in-u-s-update2-.html|accessdate =January 5, 2010|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110004944/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-05/nintendo-shares-rise-after-record-wii-sales-in-u-s-update2-.html|archivedate=January 10, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author= Kiyoshi Takenaka| date= January 5, 2010| title= Nintendo Wii posts record U.S. sales in Dec| publisher=Reuters|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTOE6040A420100105|accessdate =February 27, 2010}}</ref> On January 31, 2010 the Wii became the best-selling home video-game console produced by Nintendo, with sales of over 67&nbsp;million units (surpassing those of the original [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]).<ref name="wii sells 67 million">{{cite web |title=DS sells 125 million worldwide, Wii up to 67 million |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/ds-sells-125-million-worldwide-wii-up-to-67-million/ |publisher=Joystiq |date=January 28, 2010 |accessdate=January 28, 2010}}</ref> Nintendo reported that on Black Friday 2011 over 500,000 Wii consoles were sold, making it the most successful Black Friday in company history.<ref name=post>{{cite news |title=Nintendo Wii has biggest-ever Black Friday, new Zelda game sets sales record |work=Boy Genius Report |date=December 1, 2011 |url=http://www.bgr.com/2011/12/01/nintendo-wii-has-biggest-ever-black-friday-new-zelda-game-sets-sales-record/ }}</ref> ==Other models== ===Family Edition=== [[File:The_Remains_of_the_Nintendo_GameCube_Controller_Ports_and_Memory_Card_Slots_in_the_Wii_Family_Edition.jpg|thumb|right|Nintendo GameCube Controller Ports and Memory Card Slots' remains as it appears in the Wii Family Edition by removing the top cover.]][[File:The_Remains_of_the_Nintendo_GameCube_Controller_Ports_and_Memory_Card_Slots_in_the_Wii_Family_Edition_2.jpg|thumb|right|The Nintendo GameCube Controller Ports and Memory Card Slots' remains can be found in the Wii Family Edition's motherboard]] The '''Wii Family Edition''' variant is identical to the original model, but is designed to sit horizontally (the vertical feet are still present; however, the front labels are rotated and a stand is no longer included) and removes the [[GameCube]] controller and memory card ports, although the casing under the top cover still has the [[GameCube]] controller and memory card ports holes with no ports and no slots. For this reason, the Family Edition variant is incompatible with GameCube games and accessories. The console was announced on August 17, 2011 and released in Europe and North America in October 2011.<ref name="Wii2.0" /> The Wii Family Edition was made available in Europe, bundled with a [[Wii Remote Plus]], ''[[Wii Party]]'' and ''[[Wii Sports]]''.<ref name="Wii2.0">{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/new-slim-wii-announced-won-t-play-gamecube-games-209100.phtml|publisher=Destructoid|work=Destructoid|title=New slim Wii announced, won't play GameCube games|accessdate=August 17, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-no-plans-for-slim-wii-in-north-america-209130.phtml|publisher=Destructoid|work=Destructoid|title=Nintendo: No plans for slim Wii in North America|accessdate=August 17, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/29791/new-wii-is-same-size-as-old-wii/ |title=New Wii is same size as old Wii |publisher=Official Nintendo Magazine |date=August 23, 2011 |accessdate=August 23, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928121842/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/29791/new-wii-is-same-size-as-old-wii/ |archivedate=September 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2011/nintendo_announces_packed_2011_line-up_of_upcoming_games_44323.html|title=Nintendo announces packed 2011 line-up of upcoming games|date=August 17, 2011|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=August 17, 2011}}</ref> A blue Wii Family Edition was launched to coincide with [[Black Friday (shopping)|Black Friday]] and the release of ''[[Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games]]'' on November 18, 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mynintendonews.com/2011/10/10/nintendo-wii-nintendo-is-releasing-a-blue-wii-console-in-november/ |title=Nintendo Wii: Nintendo Is Releasing A Blue Wii Console In November |publisher=My Nintendo News |accessdate=October 10, 2011}}</ref> and a black Wii Family Edition (bundled with ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' and the official soundtrack CD of ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'') was released on October 23, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mynintendonews.com/2011/10/11/nintendo-wii-black-wii-holiday-bundle-with-new-super-mario-bros-wii-and-exclusive-mario-music-cd/ |title=Nintendo Wii: Black Wii Holiday Bundle With New Super Mario Bros Wii And Exclusive Mario Music CD |date=October 11, 2011}}</ref> In late 2012, Nintendo released a version of the North America black edition, including ''[[Wii Sports]]'' and ''[[Wii Sports Resort]]'' games on a single disc instead of the ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' game and the ''Super Mario Galaxy'' soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/nintendo-wii-now-bundled-wii-sports-price-slashed-015348111.html |title=Nintendo Wii now bundled with Wii Sports, price slashed to just $129 |date=October 15, 2011}}</ref> ===Wii Mini=== [[File:Wii-Mini-Console-Set-H.jpg|thumb|right|A Wii Mini with Wii Remote]] The '''Wii Mini''' (stylized as '''Wii mini''') is a smaller, redesigned Wii with a top-loading disc drive. It was announced on November 27, 2012 and released on December 7, 2012 in Canada with a MSRP of [[Canadian dollar|C$]]99.99.<ref name="NinWiiMini"/> The system was later released in Europe on March 22, 2013,<ref name=EUmini/> and in the United States on November 17, 2013.<ref name="USmini"/> It was not released in Japan, Australia or New Zealand. This console lacks [[YPbPr|{{YPbPr}}]] ([[component video]]/[[D-Terminal]]), [[S-Video]], [[RGBS|RGB]] [[SCART]] output, [[GameCube]] compatibility, online connectivity, the [[SD card]] slot and [[Wi-Fi]] support, and has only one [[USB]] port unlike the previous models' two.<ref name=EurogamerReview>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/df-hardware-nintendo-wii-mini-review|title= Nintendo Wii Mini review |last=Leadbetter|first=Richard|date=December 12, 2012|work=Eurogamer|accessdate=December 16, 2012}}</ref><ref name=WiiMiniManual>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/WiiMiniOpMn_RVO_en.pdf|title= Nintendo Wii Mini Operations Manual|publisher=Nintendo of America|page=10|accessdate=December 16, 2012|quote=The Wii Mini console will not work with any AV cable other than the model supplied.}}</ref> The initial release omitted a [[pack-in game]], but ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' was included at no extra charge beginning on September 18, 2013 in Canada<ref>{{cite web|title=Mario Kart Wii picture |publisher=Future Shop |url=http://www.futureshop.ca/multimedia/Products/500x500/102/10270/10270488.jpg |date=September 18, 2013 |accessdate=September 18, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003015233/http://www.futureshop.ca/multimedia/Products/500x500/102/10270/10270488.jpg |archivedate=October 3, 2013 }}</ref> and from launch in the United States.<ref name=USmini/> Nintendo uses this console and the [[Nintendo Selects]] game series to promote low-cost gaming. The Wii Mini is styled in matte black with a red border, and includes a red [[Wii Remote Plus]] and Nunchuk. A [[composite video]]/audio cable, wired sensor bar and power adapter are also included.<ref name=EngadgetMini>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/12/06/nintendo-wii-mini-hands-on/|title=Nintendo Wii Mini hands-on |last=Fingas|first=Jon|date=December 6, 2012|work=Engadget|publisher=AOL|accessdate=December 12, 2012}}</ref> The Wii Mini sold 35,700 units in its first two months of availability in Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304072748/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/wii-mini-sells-35-700-units-in-canada-across-first-two-months/|title=Wii Mini sells 35,700 units in Canada across first two months {{!}} Joystiq|date=2013-03-04|access-date=2018-07-26}}</ref> ==Successor== {{Main article|Wii U}} Nintendo announced the successor to the Wii, [[Wii U]], at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2011]].<ref name=Telegraph>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/nintendo/8563836/Nintendos-Wii-U-unveiled-at-E3-keeping-Nintendos-revolution-going.html|title=Nintendo's Wii U unveiled at E3: keeping Nintendo's revolution going|date=June 8, 2012|accessdate=September 13, 2012|publisher=Telegraph|first=Tom|last=Hoggins}}</ref> The Wii U features a controller with an embedded touch screen and output [[1080p]] [[high-definition video|high-definition]] graphics; it is fully backward-compatible with Wii games and peripherals for the Wii. The Wii remote, Nunchuk controller and balance board are compatible with Wii U games which include support for them.<ref name=ET>{{cite web|url=http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/136121-nintendo-confirms-wii-u-specs-and-release-date-prices-it-above-xbox-360-and-ps3|title=Nintendo confirms Wii U specs and release date, prices it above Xbox 360 and PS3|date=September 13, 2012|accessdate=September 13, 2012|publisher=Extreme Tech|first=Sebastian|last=Anthony}}</ref> The Wii U was released on November 18, 2012 in North America, November 30, 2012 in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, December 8, 2012 in Japan<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/13/wii-u-price-release-date-announced|title=Wii U Price, Release Date Announced|last=Goldfarb|first=Andrew|date=2012-09-13|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-22}}</ref> and November 26, 2013 in [[Brazil]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nintendotoday.com/brazil-finally-getting-wii-u/|title=Brazil finally gets the Wii U, will cost R$1899 - NintendoToday|date=2013-11-08|work=NintendoToday|access-date=2018-07-22|language=en-US}}</ref> The Wii U was discontinued Worldwide on January 31, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://kotaku.com/wii-u-production-has-officially-ended-for-japan-1791813878|title=Wii U Production Has Officially Ended For Japan [Update]|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|work=Kotaku|access-date=2018-06-19|language=en-US}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== *{{Commons category-inline|Wii}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060928040528/http://wii.com/ Global and general Wii site] {{Wii}} {{Nintendo hardware|Wii}} {{Seventh generation game consoles}} {{Home video game consoles}} {{Portal bar|Electronics|Nintendo|Video games}} [[Category:Wii| ]] [[Category:Backward-compatible video game consoles]] [[Category:Home video game consoles]] [[Category:Power Architecture]] [[Category:Seventh-generation video game consoles]] [[Category:Wii hardware| ]] [[Category:2000s in video gaming]] [[Category:2010s in video gaming]] [[Category:2000s toys]] [[Category:2010s toys]] [[Category:2006 in video gaming]]<!--introduction--> [[Category:Computer-related introductions in 2006]] [[Category:Products introduced in 2006]] [[Category:Discontinued products]]'