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{{Infobox VG system
|title=Wii<!-- -It is just "Wii", not "Nintendo Wii"- -->
|logo=[[File:Wii.svg|100px|center|Wii logo]]
|image=[[File:Wii console.png|260px|Wii with Wii Remote]]
|caption=Wii console with Wii Remote
|developer=[[Nintendo]]
|manufacturer=[[Foxconn]]
|type=[[Video game console]]
|release date={{vgrelease|NA=November 19, 2006}}{{vgrelease|JP=December 2, 2006}}{{vgrelease|AUS=December 7, 2006}}{{vgrelease|EU=December 8, 2006}}
|generation=[[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|Seventh generation]]
|lifespan=November 19, 2006 <small>([[Wii launch#Release dates and pricing|details]])</small>
|CPU=<!-- 729 MHz (speed unconfirmed) this is still speculation at the moment --> [[IBM]] [[PowerPC]]-based<ref name="Wii: The Total Story" /> [[Broadway (microprocessor)|"Broadway"]]
|GPU=<!-- http://www.popsci.com/popsci/whatsnew/2526081bfbcfe010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd/14.html // --> [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] [[Hollywood (graphics chip)|"Hollywood"]]
|media=12 cm [[Nintendo optical disc|Wii Optical Disc]]<br />8 cm [[Nintendo optical disc|Nintendo GameCube Game Disc]]
|storage=512 [[Megabyte|MB]] Internal [[flash memory]]<br />[[Secure Digital card|SD card]], [[Secure Digital card#SDHC|SDHC card]]<br />[[Nintendo GameCube#Memory and storage|Nintendo GameCube Memory Card]]
|controllers=[[Wii Remote]] ([[Wii Remote Plus|Plus]]), [[Wii Balance Board]], [[Nintendo GameCube controller]], [[Nintendo DS]]<ref name="connectivity returns"/><!-- SEE DISCUSSION ON CLASSIC CONTROLLER -->
|connectivity=[[Wi-Fi]]<br />[[Bluetooth]]<br />2 × [[Universal Serial Bus|USB 2.0]]<ref name=1upspec>{{cite web|url= http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3154939|title=Wii Get It Now: Technical Specs from 1UP.com|publisher=1up.com|accessdate= 2008-05-02|last=McDonough|first=Amy}}</ref><br />[[Local area network|LAN]] Adapter (via USB)
|online service=[[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]], [[WiiConnect24]], [[Wii Shop Channel]]<br /><!-- 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. -->
|top game=''[[Wii Sports]]'' <small>([[Pack-in game|pack-in]], except in Japan and South Korea)</small> 67.71 million <small>(as of September 30, 2010)</small><ref name=101028e>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2010/101028e.pdf|title=Consolidated Financial Highlights|date={{Date|2010-10-28|mdy}}|accessdate={{Date|2010-10-29|mdy}}|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|format=PDF|page=6}}</ref><br /> ''[[Wii Play]]'', 26.71 million <small>(as of December 31, 2009)</small><ref name=Q409>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2010/100129e.pdf#page=6|title=Financial Results Briefing for the Six-Month Period ended December 2009|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2009-10-31|format=PDF|accessdate= 2010-01-29|page=11}}</ref>
|compatibility=[[Nintendo GameCube]]<!-- HARDWARE compatibility only. Do not list Virtual Console games as "compatible". Actual compatibility is with physical media, not emulated software. -->
|predecessor=Nintendo GameCube<!-- STOP LINKING THIS. It is already linked above. See [[WP:MOS]] for more info. -->
|successor=
|unitssold=
|unitsshipped =<!-- SEE DISCUSSION PAGE -->Worldwide: 84.64 million <small>(as of December 31, 2010)</small></small><!-- SEE DISCUSSION PAGE ON SALES NUMBER --> <small>([[Wii#System sales|details]])</small>
}}
The {{nihongo|'''Wii'''|ウィー|Wī|{{pron-en|ˈwiː}}}} 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 primarily competes with [[Microsoft]]'s [[Xbox 360]] and [[Sony]]'s [[PlayStation 3]]. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader [[demographics|demographic]] than that of the two others.<!-- FURTHER INFO ON DEMOGRAPHIC SHOULD BE ADDED TO BODY OF ARTICLE --><ref name="USA Today" /> As of {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}, the Wii leads the generation over the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in worldwide sales,<ref name="earnings release Q3 2009">{{cite web |title=Consolidated Financial Highlights |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2009/091029e.pdf#page=9 |publisher=Nintendo |format=PDF |page=9 |date=2009-10-29 |accessdate=2009-10-29}}</ref><!-- As of that date. It may change later. --> and in December 2009 broke the record for best-selling console in 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=2010-01-14|accessdate=2010-01-14}}</ref>
A distinguishing feature of the console is its [[wireless]] [[Game controller|controller]], the [[Wii Remote<!-- SEE DISCUSSION ON "WIIMOTE" -->]], which can be used as a handheld [[pointing device]] and [[accelerometer|detects movement]] in [[three-dimensional space|three dimensions]]. Another distinctive feature of the console is [[WiiConnect24]], which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in [[Sleep mode|standby mode]].<ref name="Iwata Speech 06">[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3_2006/speech/english.html Nintendo Corporation] - Nintendo President, Satoru Iwata, media briefing speech at E3 2006</ref>
The Wii is Nintendo's fifth home console and the direct successor of the [[Nintendo GameCube]], being fully [[Backward compatibility|backwardly compatible]] with all Gamecube games and most accessories. Nintendo first spoke of the console at the 2004 [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] [[News conference|press conference]] and later unveiled the system at the [[E3 2005|2005 E3]]. 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|title=TGS 2005: Iwata speaks|accessdate= 2006-09-24|last=Sinclair|first=Brendan| coauthors=Torres, Ricardo|date= 2005-09-16|publisher=GameSpot}}</ref> At [[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 four key markets.<!-- Please go to the talk page if you debate any of the following for any reason -->
==History==
{{See also|History of video game consoles (seventh generation)}}
The console was conceived in 2001, as the [[Nintendo GameCube]] was first seeing release. According to an interview with Nintendo's 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=2007-02-02|publisher=BusinessWeek| first=Kenji|last=Hall}}</ref>
Two years later, [[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 withdrawn. Miyamoto stated that, "[W]e 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 design. Designer Ken'ichiro Ashida noted, "We had the DS on our minds as we worked on the Wii. We thought about copying the DS's touch-panel interface and even came up with a prototype." The idea was eventually rejected, with the notion that the two gaming systems would be identical. Miyamoto also expressed that, "[...] if the DS had flopped, we might have taken the Wii back to the drawing board."<ref name="Miyamoto Speaks" />
===Name===
The console was known by the code name of "'''Revolution'''" until April 27, 2006, immediately prior to [[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/|publisher=Console Watcher|work=Console Watcher|title=Nintendo Revolution Renamed To Nintendo Wii|accessdate= 2006-11-03}}</ref> The Nintendo Style Guide refers to the console as "simply Wii, not Nintendo Wii", making it the first home console Nintendo has marketed outside of Japan without the company name featured in its trademark. While "Wiis" is a commonly used [[plural]]ization of the console, 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= http://web.archive.org/web/20071223020344/http://gonintendo.com/?p=7288|archivedate=2007-12-23|title=The Plural of Wii|accessdate=2006-11-27}}</ref> Nintendo's spelling of "Wii" with two lower-case "i" characters is meant to resemble two people standing side by side, representing players gathering together, as well as 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=2006-09-16}}</ref> The company has given many reasons for this choice of name since the announcement; however, the best known is:
{{cquote|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. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.<ref name="introducing_wii"/>}}
Despite Nintendo's justification for the name, some [[video game developer]]s and members of the press reacted negatively towards the change. 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= 2006-05-01|accessdate=2008-06-15}}</ref> and [[Forbes]] expressed fear "that the name would convey a continued sense of 'kidiness'{{sic}} to the console."<ref name="forbes_criticism">{{cite news|title=Iwata's Nintendo Lampooned For 'Wii'|first=Parmy| last=Olson|url= http://www.forbes.com/2006/04/28/nintendo-wii-console-cx_po_0428autofacescan08.html|publisher=[[Forbes]]|date= 2006-04-28|accessdate=2008-06-15}}</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=2007-03-14|title=Nintendo name swap sparks satire | date=2006-04-28}}</ref> Nintendo of America's president [[Reggie Fils-Aime]] acknowledged the initial reaction and further explained the change:
{{cquote|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>Michael Donahoe, Shane Bettenhausen {{cite news|title=War of the Words|page=25|publisher=Electronic Gaming Monthly|date=July 2006|url=<!-- add web archive if available -->|accessdate=2006-11-18}}</ref>}}
Nintendo of America's then-Vice President of Corporate Affairs Perrin Kaplan defended its choice of "Wii" over "Revolution" and responded to critics of the name by 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 =2007-03-14|publisher=IGN|title=Nintendo Talks to IGN about Wii}}</ref>
===Launch===
[[Image:Wii Blockbuster Display.jpg|thumb|Wii retail display boxes]]
{{Main|Wii launch}}
On September 14, 2006, Nintendo announced release information for Japan, [[North America|North]] and [[South America]], [[Australasia]] (Oceania), [[Asia]] and [[Europe]], including dates, prices, and projected unit distribution numbers. It was announced that the majority of the 2006 shipments would be allotted to the Americas, and that 33 titles would be available in the 2006 launch window.<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=2006-10-29}} See also: {{cite web|last=Rodriguez|first =Steven|date=2006-11-14|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=12402|title=The Twenty Wii Launch Games|publisher=[[Nintendo World Report|Planet GameCube]]|accessdate=2006-11-14}}</ref> The Wii was launched in the United States on November 19, 2006 at $249.99.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Kathleen|last1=Sanders|first2=Matt|last2=Casamassina|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/732/732669p1.html|title=US Wii Price, Launch Date Revealed|publisher=IGN|date=2006-09-13|accessdate=2009-04-09}}</ref> It was later launched in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2006 at £179.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Rhys|last1=Blakely|first2=Dan|last2=Sabbagh|url= http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article640270.ece|title=Nintendo announces Wii launch date in UK|publisher=Times Online|date=2006-09-15|accessdate=2009-04-13|location=London}}</ref> The UK suffered a widespread shortage of console units as many high-street and online stores were unable to fulfill all pre-orders when it was released.<ref name="UKWii Shortage">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6161717.stm| title=Wii shortages frustrating gamers|date=2006-12-08| accessdate=2006-12-08|publisher=BBC}}</ref> The Wii was launched in [[South Korea]] on April 26, 2008 and in [[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=2008-06-26|accessdate= 2008-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.gamespot.com/downloads/6163607|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070930223622/http://www.gamespot.com/events/wiilaunch/story.html?sid=6163607|archivedate=2007-09-30|title=DS, Wii heading to Korea|first=Emma|last=Boyes|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=2006-12-29|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref>{{-}}
===System 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 -->
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; text-align:right; margin:10px"
|+ Life-to-date number of [[List of best-selling game consoles|units shipped]], millions
|-
! Date
! Japan
! Americas
! Other
! Worldwide
|-
!2006-12-31<ref name="earnings release Q4 2006">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/070125e.pdf#page=6|title= Consolidated Financial Highlights|accessdate=2009-10-29|date=2007-01-25|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=8}}</ref>
|1.14||1.25||0.80
! 3.19
|-
!2007-03-31<ref name="earnings release Q1 2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/070426e.pdf#page=21|title= Consolidated Financial Highlights|accessdate=2009-10-29|date=2007-04-26|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=8}}</ref>
|2.00||2.37||1.47
! 5.84
|-
!2007-06-30<ref name="earnings release Q2 2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/070725e.pdf#page=8|title= Consolidated Financial Highlights|accessdate=2009-10-29|date=2007-07-25|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=8}}</ref>
| 2.95 || 3.81 || 2.51
! 9.27
|-
!2007-09-30<ref name="earnings release Q3 2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2007/071025e.pdf#page=22|title= Consolidated Financial Highlights|accessdate=2009-10-29|date=2007-10-25|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=22}}</ref>
| 3.67 || 5.46 || 4.04
! 13.17
|-
!2007-12-31<ref name="earnings release Q4 2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080124e.pdf#page=8|title= Consolidated Financial Highlights|accessdate=2009-10-29|date=2007-01-24|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=8}}</ref>
| 4.99 || 8.85 || 6.30
! 20.13
|-
!2008-03-31<ref name="earnings release Q1 2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080424e.pdf#page=22|format= PDF|accessdate=2009-10-29|date=2008-04-24|title=Consolidated Financial Statements|publisher=Nintendo|page=22}}</ref>
| 5.90 || 10.61 || 7.94
! 24.45
|-
!2008-06-30<ref name="earnings release Q2 2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080730e.pdf#page=11|title= Consolidated Financial Highlights|accessdate=2009-10-29|date=2008-07-30|format=PDF|publisher=Nintendo|page=11}}</ref>
| 6.43 || 13.11 || 10.08
! 29.62
|-
!2008-09-30<ref name="earnings release Q3 2008">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/081030e.pdf#page=11 |title=Consolidated Financial Highlights |accessdate=2009-10-29 |date=2008-10-30 |format=PDF |publisher=Nintendo|page=11}}</ref>
| 6.91 || 15.19 || 12.45
! 34.55
|-
!2008-12-31<ref name="earnings release Q4 2008">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2009/090129e.pdf#page=11 |title=Consolidated Financial Highlights |accessdate=2009-10-29 |date=2008-12-31 |format=PDF |publisher=Nintendo |page=11}}</ref>
| 7.80 || 20.40 || 16.76
! 44.96
|-
!2009-03-31<ref name="earnings release Q1 2009">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2009/090507e.pdf#page=23 |title=Consolidated Financial Highlights |accessdate=2009-10-29 |date=2009-04-31 |format=PDF |publisher=Nintendo |page=22}}</ref>
| 7.96 || 23.54 || 18.89
! 50.39
|-
!2009-06-30<ref name="earnings release Q2 2009">{{cite web|title=Consolidated Financial Highlights|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2009/090730e.pdf#page=9|publisher=Nintendo|format=PDF|page=9|date=2009-07-30|accessdate=2009-10-29}}</ref>
| 8.17 || 24.42 || 20.03
! 52.62
|-
!2009-09-30<ref name="earnings release Q3 2009"/>
| 8.68 || 25.99 || 21.48
! 56.14
|-
!2009-12-31<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=2010-01-28 |accessdate=2010-01-28}}</ref>
| 9.72 || 32.02 || 25.71
! 67.45
|-
!2010-03-31<ref name="Nintendo fiscal year report"/>
| 10.34 || 33.40 || 27.19
! 70.93
|-
!2010-06-30<ref name="earnings release Q2 2010">{{cite web|title=Consolidated Financial Highlights|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2010/100729e.pdf#page9|publisher=Nintendo |format=PDF|page=9|date=2010-07-29|accessdate=2010-07-30}}</ref>
| 10.52 || 35.20 || 28.24
! 73.97
|-
!2010-09-30<ref name=101028e/>
| 10.79 || 35.91 || 29.20
! 75.90
|-
!2010-12-31<ref name="earnings release Q3 2010">http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2011/110127e.pdf</ref>
| 11.45 || 40.53 || 32.67
! 84.64
|}
<!-- Do not change these numbers without a reference -->
{{See also|Wii launch#Sales|l1=Sales at launch}}
Since its launch, the monthly sales numbers of the console have been higher than its competitors across 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=http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2007/07/first-half-of-console-sales-for-2007-nintendo-the-big-winner-ps3-dead-last.ars|archiveurl= http://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=2007-09-15|date= 2007-07-24|first=Ben|last=Kuchera|title= Nintendo the big winner, PS3 dead last for the first half of 2007|publisher=Ars Technica| accessdate= 2007-07-31}}</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.edge-online.com/news/xbox-360-trumps-ps3-japan|title=Xbox 360 Trumps PS3 in Japan|publisher=''Edge'' online|date=2007-11-09|accessdate= 2007-11-27}}</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=2007-07-21|author= Nicolo S.|title=Media Create sales stats (July 9–15): Nintendo continues domination|publisher=qj.net|accessdate= 2007-08-01}}</ref> nearly every week from launch until November 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=176131| title=PS3 tops Wii in Japan... AGAIN|publisher=[[ComputerAndVideoGames.com]]|first=Mike|last=Jackson|date=2007-11-22|accessdate= 2008-09-25}}</ref> In Australia, the Wii exceeded the record set by the [[Xbox 360]] to become the fastest-selling game console in Australian history.<ref name="wiibreaksxbox360record">{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/games/wii-breaks-xbox-sales-record/2006/12/14/1165685799546.html|date=2006-12-14|first=Asher|last=Moses|publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|title=Wii breaks Xbox 360 sales record|accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref>
On September 12, 2007, it was reported by the ''[[Financial Times]]'' that the Wii had surpassed the Xbox 360, which was released one year previously, and had become the market leader in home console sales for the current generation, based on sales figures from [[Enterbrain]], NPD Group, and [[GfK]].<ref name="wiileads">{{cite web|last=Sanchanta|first=Mariko|title=Nintendo’s Wii takes console lead|publisher=[[Financial Times]]|date=2007-09-12|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/51df0c84-6154-11dc-bf25-0000779fd2ac.html| accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref> This was the first time a Nintendo console had led its generation in sales since the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref name="wiileads"/>
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=2007-07-11|title=Christmas morn without a Wii? |accessdate=2008-10-23}}</ref> In December 2007, [[Reggie Fils-Aimé]] revealed that Nintendo was producing approximately 1.8 million Wii consoles each month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=4001054&page=1 |date=2007-12-18|title=Can't Find a Wii? Take a Rain Check|first=Ashley|last=Phililps|publisher=ABC News|accessdate=2008-10-23}}</ref> Some UK stores still had a shortage of consoles as of 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=2007-03-06|accessdate=2007-04-18|publisher=IGN|first=Rob|last=Burman}}</ref> demand still outpaced supply in the United States as of 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=2007-06-29|accessdate=2007-07-01|publisher=komo-tv}}</ref> and the console "selling out almost as quickly as it hits retail shelves" in Canada as of April 2008.<ref name="CanadaNPD"/><ref name="CanadaNPD2"/> In October 2008, Nintendo announced that between October and December 2008 the Wii would have its North American supplies increased considerably from 2007’s 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=2008-10-02|accessdate=2008-10-23}}</ref> while producing 2.4 million Wii units a month worldwide, compared to 1.6 million per month in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/27/business/fi-nintendo27| title=Nintendo moves right along |first=Alex|last= Pham| publisher = [[Los Angeles Times]]|date= 2008-10-27|accessdate=2008-12-07}}</ref>
[[2007 in video gaming#Hardware and software sales|In 2007]], the Wii was the second best-selling game console (behind the Nintendo DS) in the US and Japan with 6.29 million and 3,629,361 units sold respectively, according to the NPD Group and Enterbrain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17006|title=NPD: 2007 U.S. Game Industry Growth Up 43% To $17.9 Billion|first=Brandon|last=Boyer|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|accessdate=2008-05-24|date=2008-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/UQkQDsY6UcUbiHdjvIEXMrbwcYk2sbpx|title=Independent Data Reveals Nintendo Sales for 2007|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=2008-05-25|date=2008-01-17}}</ref><ref name=Japan2007 /><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.mcvuk.com/news/29249/SPECIAL-REPORT-Japans-2007-market-stats-in-full |title=Special report: Japan’s 2007 market stats in full|accessdate=2008-05-25|first=Neil|last=Long|date=2008-01-07|work=[[Market for Home Computing and Video Games]]|publisher= Intent Media}}</ref><ref name=Japan2007-2008/> During the same year, the Wii had outsold the PlayStation 3 by 3:1 in Japan, while the Xbox 360 had sold 257,841 units in that region that year, according to Enterbrain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUSTFA00293420080107?sp=true|title=Nintendo Wii outsells PS3 3-to-1 in Japan|accessdate=2008-05-25|author= Kiyoshi Takenaka and Hugh Lawson|date=2008-01-07|publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16852|title=Enterbrain: Wii Lead Over PS3 Rises To 3:1|accessdate=2008-02-02|author=David Jenkins|date= 2008-01-07|work=[[Gamasutra]]|publisher=[[United Business Media|CMP Media]]}}</ref> In Europe, the Wii sold 0.7 million units [[2006 in video gaming#Europe|in 2006]] and 4.8 million in 2007 according to estimates by [[Electronic Arts]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/IROL/88/88189/Q3FY08SupSeg.pdf#page=4 |title=Supplemental Segment Information|accessdate= 2008-02-09|author=[[Electronic Arts]]|date=2008-01-31|work=[[Thomson Financial]]|publisher=|page=4|format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17206 | title = EA Reveals European Hardware Estimates|accessdate= 2008-02-09|author=David Jenkins|date=2008-02-01|work=[[Gamasutra]]|publisher=[[United Business Media|CMP Media]]}}</ref> [[2008 in video gaming#Hardware and software sales|In 2008]], the Wii was the best-selling home console in Japan with 2,908,342 units sold, according to the Enterbrain.<ref name=Japan2007-2008>{{cite web|url= http://www.mcvuk.com/news/32880/JAPAN-Market-shrinks-by-15-per-cent-in-2008| title=Japanese 2008 Market Report|publisher=[[Market for Home Computing and Video Games]]|date=2009-01-09|accessdate=2009-01-15}}</ref><ref name=Japan2008>{{cite web|url= http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1221045_1124.html |title= 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=2009-01-05|accessdate=2009-01-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21763|title=Japanese Games Market Shrinks 15.3 Percent In 2008|author=David Jenkins|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|date=2009-01-07|accessdate=2009-01-15}}</ref> Prior to the release of the NPD Group's video game statistics for January 2008, the Wii had been ahead of the Xbox 360 and PS3 in US sales in most months since the Wii and PS3 were released, according to data by the NPD Group.<ref name="seattlepi">{{cite web|url= http://www.seattlepi.com/business/351201_tbrfs14.html |title=Supply shortages hurt Xbox sales last month|accessdate=2008-02-15|date=2008-02-14|work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]|publisher=[[Hearst Corporation]]}}</ref> In the United States, the Wii had sold 10.9 million units by July 1, 2008, making it the leader in current-generation home console sales, according to the NPD Group, surpassing the Xbox 360 which was released a year prior to the Wii.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/6194691.html |title=NPD: PS3 sales spike on MGS4|first=Tom|last=Magrino|date=2008-07-17|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=2008-11-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.edge-online.com/news/npd-wii-overtakes-360-us | title=NPD: Wii Overtakes 360 in US|first=Joe|last=Keiser|publisher= ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]''|date=2008-07-17|accessdate=2008-11-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|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=2008-07-17|accessdate=2008-11-22}}</ref> As of November 1, 2008, the Wii had sold 13.4 million units in the US, almost two million more than Xbox 360 and over twice the number of PlayStation 3 units sold, according to the NPD Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/wii-us-installed-base-now-leads-xbox-360-by-almost-2-million|title=Wii U.S. Installed Base Now Leads Xbox 360 by Almost 2 Million|first=James|last=Brightman|work=[[GameDaily]]| publisher=[[AOL]]|date=2008-11-14|accessdate=2008-11-22}}</ref>
In Japan, the Wii had surpassed the number of [[Nintendo 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=2008-01-11|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> the Wii had sold 7,526,821 units as of December 28, 2008, according to Enterbrain.<ref name=Japan2008/><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= 2009-01-05|accessdate=2009-01-15}}</ref> According to the NPD Group, the Wii surpassed the Xbox 360 to become the best-selling "next generation" home video game console in Canada with 813,000 units sold by April 1, 2008, and had been the best-selling home console for 13 of the previous 17 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=2008-04-24|date= 2008-04-17|publisher=[[Nintendo]]}}</ref><ref name="CanadaNPD2">{{cite news|url= http://evergeek.thestar.com/news/2996.aspx|title= NPD reports Nintendo Wii tops Canadian sales charts|date=2008-04-22|work=Evergeek Media|publisher=[[Toronto Star]]|accessdate= 2008-08-02}}</ref> In the first six months of 2008, the Wii had sold 318,000 units in Canada, outselling its nearest competitor, the PlayStation 3, almost 2:1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080730/business/games_wii_what_a_year|title= Wii nears one million consoles in Canada, drives Nintendo profits|first=Neil|last= Davidson|date=2008-07-30|work=[[The Canadian Press]]|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|accessdate=2008-08-02}}{{Dead link|date=April 2009}}</ref> According to the NPD Group, the Wii had sold a total of 1,060,000 units in Canada as of August 1, 2008, making it the first current generation home console to surpass the million unit mark in that country. In the first seven months of 2008, the Wii outsold the PS3 and the Xbox 360 combined with 376,000 units sold in Canada.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/SciTech/20080826/wii_million_080826/ |title=Wii surpasses one million consoles sold in Canada | date=2008-08-26|work=[[CTV Television Network]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|accessdate=2010-09-27}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, the Wii leads in current generation home console sales with 4.9 million units sold as of January 3, 2009, 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=2009-01-13| accessdate=2009-01-15}}</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=2008-09-30|publisher=[[Market for Home Computing and Video Games]]|accessdate= 2008-10-02}}</ref> On March 25, 2009, at the [[Game Developers Conference]], [[Satoru Iwata]] said that worldwide shipments of Wii had reached 50 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6206693.html?tag=recent_news;title;1|title=Nintendo's GDC conference|date=2009-03-25|accessdate=2009-03-25|first=Tor|last= Thorsen| publisher =[[GameSpot]]}}</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=2007-05-03|author=Roger Ehrenberg|title=Game Console Wars II: Nintendo Shaves Off Profits, Leaving Competition Scruffy|publisher=seekingalpha.com| accessdate=2007-06-10}}</ref> On September 17, 2007, the ''Financial Times'' reported that this 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=2007-09-17|first=James|last=Brightman|title=Report: Nintendo Makes About $49 Per Wii Sold in U.S.| publisher=gamingdaily.BIZ|accessdate=2007-09-18}}</ref> On December 2, 2008, [[Forbes]] reported that Nintendo makes 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=2008-12-02|accessdate=2008-12-07}}</ref>
Nintendo reported on May 7, 2009 increases in operating profits for its fiscal year (April 1, 2008 – March 31, 2009), and a rise in sales—setting record earnings compared to the previous year. Kenji Hall of ''[[BusinessWeek]]'' called the company "a bright spot in an otherwise dismal Japanese tech sector" citing the unique qualities of the Wii and DSi.<ref name=peaked/> However, Nintendo's financial forecasts until March 2010 had investors and analysts questioning if the company cannot keep its streak from ending. The Japanese market, which tends to serve as an leading indicator for global markets, saw Wii sales drop by 47% when comparing Nintendo's fiscal year of 2008—2009, to the previous year. While analysts predicted that game console sales in general will fall in 2009, Hall argued "Nintendo's big advantages are disappearing" amid price reductions of the Xbox 360 and rumors of Sony unveiling a motion-sensing wireless controller.<ref name=peaked>{{cite journal| author= Kenji Hall| date= 2009-05-07| title= Has Nintendo Peaked?| journal=[[BusinessWeek]]|url= http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/may2009/gb2009057_844946.htm|accessdate =2009-11-29|publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]]}}</ref>
On September 23, 2009, Nintendo announced its first price drops for the console. In Japan, the price dropped from ¥25,000 to ¥20,000, effective October 1, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://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 |date= |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref> In the United States, the price was reduced by $50 resulting in a new MSRP of $199.99, effective September 27, 2009.<ref>{{cite press release | title = Wii at $199.99 Beginning Sept. 27 | publisher = Nintendo | date = 2009-09-23 | url = http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/XCq1UmMT9VWxmYOyGW0SSdf0y4LwDdri | accessdate = 2009-09-23}}</ref> In Europe (excepting non-eurozone nations), the price of a Wii console dropped to €199 from €249.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/europe-gets-eur-50-wii-price-cut |title=Gamesindustry.biz |publisher=Gamesindustry.biz |date=2009-09-25 |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref> Nintendo sold more than three million Wii consoles in the U.S. in December 2009, setting a regional record for the month and ending 9 months of declining sales, as a result of the price cut and software releases such as ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''.<ref>{{cite web| author= Pavel Alpeyev| date= 2010-01-05| title= Nintendo Shares Rise After Record Wii Sales in U.S.| publisher=[[BusinessWeek]]|url= http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-05/nintendo-shares-rise-after-record-wii-sales-in-u-s-update2-.html|accessdate =2010-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| author= Kiyoshi Takenaka| date= 2010-01-05| title= Nintendo Shares Rise After Record Wii Sales in U.S.| publisher=Reuters|url= http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTOE6040A420100105|accessdate =2010-02-27}}</ref> As of the end of that month, the Wii is the best selling home video game console produced by Nintendo with sales of over 67 million units, surpassing that of the original [[Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref name="wii sells 67 million"/> As of March 31, according to Nintendo, the Wii has sold 70.93 million units worldwide,<ref name="Nintendo fiscal year report">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6261400.html?tag=recent_news;title;1 |title=Nintendo Fiscal year report |date=2010-03-31 |accessdate=2010-05-06 |publisher= [[Gamespot]]}}</ref>{{rp |1}} selling 20.53 million units within 2009-2010 fiscal year.
===Demographic===
Nintendo hopes 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=2006-12-12|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2006-12-16|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]], as well as Internet ads. The ad slogans are ''"Wii would like to play"'' and ''"Experience a new way to play''." These ads ran starting November 15, 2006 and had a total budget of over [[United States dollar|US$]]200 million throughout 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 are Nintendo's first broad-based advertising strategy and include a two-minute [[video clip]] showing a varied assortment of people enjoying the Wii system, such as urban apartment-dwellers, country ranchers, grandparents, and parents with their children. The music in the ads is from the song "Kodo (Inside the Sun Remix)" by the [[Yoshida Brothers]].<ref name="jap_commercial">{{cite web|title=Wii For All — Wii Would Like To Play|date= 2006-12-10|publisher=The Inspiration Room Daily|accessdate=2007-01-16|url= http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2006/wii-for-all}}</ref> The marketing campaign has proved to be successful: [[pensioner]]s as old as 103 have been reported to be playing the Wii in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|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=2007-09-14|accessdate= 2007-09-14}}</ref> A report by the British newspaper ''[[The People]]'' also stated that [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] of the United Kingdom has played using 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=2008-01-06}}</ref>
===Successor===
{{Anchor|Successor}}
A few years after the Wii was released, speculations were raised about Nintendo's eighth-generation home console. Initial beliefs were that the new console would be an enhanced version of the Wii, named the "Wii HD" and would have [[high-definition video]] output along with a [[Blu-ray Disc]] drive built in with a release in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whattheyplay.com/blog/2008/09/30/new-wii-due-by-2011/|title=New Wii due by 2011|publisher=What They Play|author=John Davidson|date=30 September 2008|accessdate=7 August 2010}}</ref> However, [[Satoru Iwata]] later stated that he sees "no significant reason" to include HD for the current Wii console, and that such an addition would be better suited for a successor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/nintendo-no-%E2%80%9Csignificant-reason%E2%80%9D-to-make-wii-hd|title=Nintendo: No “Significant Reason” To Make Wii HD|publisher=EDGE|author=Tom Ivan|date=5 June 2009}}</ref> Shigeru Miyamoto also expressed Nintendo's interest in working with HD graphics, but clarified that the company is primarily focused on the gameplay experience.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.industrygamers.com/news/miyamoto-on-hd-graphics-nintendos-games-will-move-along-with-progression-of-technology/|title=Nintendo:Miyamoto on HD Graphics: Nintendo's Games Will Move Along with Progression of Technology|publisher=Industry Gamers|author=James Brightman|date=15 October 2009}}</ref> As of October 2009, Miyamoto said that they currently had no concrete plans about a successor yet, but knew that the successor would possibly still feature motion controls and expects its interface to be "more compact" and cheaper.<ref>[http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/video-games/4334387 Exclusive Interview With Nintendo Gaming Mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto - Popular Mechanics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Satoru Iwata also mentioned that the Wii's successor might be 3D-compatible, but concluded that the [[adoption rate]]s of 3D televisions should increase to at least 30% first.<ref>[http://www.next-gen.biz/news/e32010-wii-successor-%E2%80%9Cprobably%E2%80%9D-3d-iwata E32010: Wii Successor “Probably” 3D - Iwata | Edge Magazine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Reggie Fils-Aime commented that he felt "confident the Wii home entertainment console has a very long life in front of it" and declared that a successor would not be launched in the near future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2010/01/nintendo_no_wii_successor_anytime_soon.html|title=Nintendo: No Wii Successor Anytime Soon|publisher=BusinessWeek|author=Cliff Edwards|date=13 January 2010|accessdate=7 August 2010}}</ref> At the [[E3 2010]] presentation, Iwata revealed to the BBC that they would begin announcing a new console once Nintendo ran "out of ideas with the current hardware and cannot give users any more meaningful surprises with the technology [they] have."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/wii-successor-when-we-run-out-of-ideas|title=Wii successor "when we run out of ideas" Wii News - Page 1|publisher=Eurogamer|author=Tom Bramwell|date=23 June 2010|accessdate=7 August 2010}}</ref> Later, at an investors meeting, he disclosed that they were "of course studying and developing the next console to Wii", but they were simultaneously keeping its concepts secret because it was "really important for [his] business to positively surprise people."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qj.net/qjnet/wii/iwata-wii-successor-will-surprise-people.html|title=Iwata: Wii successor will surprise people|publisher=QuickJump|date=4 August 2010|accessdate=7 August 2010}}</ref>
==Hardware==
[[Image:NintendoStackTransparent.png|thumb|upright|The Wii (top) compared in size to the [[Nintendo GameCube|GCN]], [[Nintendo 64|N64]], North American [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] and [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]]]
The Wii is Nintendo's smallest home console to date; it measures 44 [[millimetre|mm]] (1.73 [[inch|in]]) wide, 157 mm (6.18 in) tall and 215.4 mm (8.48 in) deep in its vertical orientation, slightly larger than three [[keep case|DVD cases]] stacked together. The included stand measures 55.4 mm (2.18 in) wide, 44 mm (1.73 in) tall and 225.6 mm (8.88 in) deep. The system weighs 1.2 [[kilogram|kg]] (2.7 [[pound (mass)|lb]]),<ref name="WiiWeight">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/127859/a_closer_look_at_the_nintendo_wii.html|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080205074335/http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,127859-page,1/article.html|archivedate=2008-02-05|title=A Closer Look at the Nintendo Wii|first=Danny|last=Allen|publisher=PC World|date=2006-11-17|accessdate=2007-03-08}}</ref> which makes it the lightest of the three major [[History of video game consoles (seventh generation)|seventh generation]] consoles. The console can be placed either horizontally or vertically. The prefix for the numbering scheme of the system and its parts and accessories is "RVL-" after its [[code name]] of "Revolution".<ref>{{cite news|title=Wii controller world tour|page=8|publisher=[[NGamer]]|date=2007-07-13| url=<!-- add web archive if available -->|accessdate=2007-01-01}}</ref> The console also features a recurring design theme: the console itself, the power supply and all the sockets have one of their corners chipped off in a triangular fashion.
The front of the console features an illuminated slot-loading optical media drive that accepts both 12 cm [[Nintendo optical disc|Wii Optical Discs]] and 8 cm [[Nintendo optical disc|Nintendo GameCube Game Discs]]. The blue light in the disc slot illuminates briefly when the console is turned on and pulsates when new data is received through [[WiiConnect24]]. After the update that includes System Menu 3.0, the disc slot light activates whenever a Wii disc is inserted or ejected. When there is no WiiConnect24 information, the light stays off. The disc slot light remains off during gameplay or when using other features. Two [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] ports are located at its rear. An SD card slot hides behind the cover on the front of the console.
The [[Wii launch]] package includes the console, a stand to allow the console to be placed vertically, a circular clear stabilizer for the main stand, one [[Wii Remote]], one [[Wii Nunchuk|Nunchuk]] attachment, one [[Sensor Bar]], a removable stand for the bar, one external main [[power supply|power adapter]], two [[AA battery|AA batteries]], one [[composite video|composite AV cable]] with [[RCA connector]]s, a [[SCART]] adapter in European countries ([[component video]] and other types of cables are available separately), operation documentation, and, in all regions except Japan and South Korea, a copy of the game ''[[Wii Sports]]''.
The disc reader of the Wii does not play [[DVD-Video]] or [[DVD-Audio]] discs. A 2006 announcement had stated 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 producing the original console to meet demand.<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=2007-11-28|last=Sherwood|first= James|date=2007-11-09|work=[[The Register]] Hardware|publisher=Situation Publishing}}</ref> Nintendo's initial announcement stated that it "requires more than a firmware upgrade" to implement and that the functionality could not be made available as an upgrade option for the existing Wii model.<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=2006-11-14|date=2006-11-13}}</ref> Despite this assertion, third parties have used [[Wii homebrew]] to add DVD playback to the original 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=2008-08-12| accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> The Wii also can be [[hack (technology)|hacked]] to enable an owner to use the console for other activities than those intended by Nintendo.<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=2007-09-28|accessdate=2007-11-08}}</ref> [[List of Wii drivechips|Several brands]] of [[modchip]]s are available for the Wii.
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://media.revolutionreport.com/image/revofficial%204.jpg|publisher=Revolution Report|title=Wii Colors|accessdate= 2006-07-15}}</ref><ref name="Rev colors control">{{cite web|url= http://news.cnet.com/i/ne/p/2005/0916nintendopic4_500x375.jpg| title=Wii Remote Colors|publisher=news.com|accessdate=2006-07-15}}</ref> it had only been available in white for its first two and a half years of sales. Black systems were made 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=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/console/index.html|language=japanese|title=Wii| publisher=Nintendo|date=2009-08-01|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref> in Europe in November 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://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=2009-10-20| accessdate=2009-10-20}}</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 =2010-05-03 | url =http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100503005799&newsLang=en | accessdate =2010-05-03 }}</ref> A red Wii system bundle was made 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=http://i.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 on October 29, 2010, preloaded with the original ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' game. It also featured the Wii Remote Plus, which is a new version of the controller with integrated Wii Motion Plus technology.<ref>[http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/red-wii-and-dsi-xl-bundles-wii-remote-plus-and-flingsmash-in-n/ Red Wii and DSi XL bundles, Wii Remote Plus, and FlingSmash in North America Nov. 7 | Joystiq<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The red Wii bundle was released in North America on November 7, 2010 bundled 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 revealed the [[Wii Balance Board]] at [[History of E3#2007 (July 11–13)|E3 2007]] along with ''[[Wii Fit]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.consolewatcher.com/2007/07/stay-fit-with-nintendo-wii-balance-board/|title=Stay fit with Wii Balance Board|date=2007-11-12|publisher=Console Watcher}}</ref> It is a wireless [[balance board]] accessory for the Wii that contains multiple pressure sensors used to measure the user's [[center of mass|center of balance]]. [[Namco Bandai Games|Namco Bandai]] produced a mat controller, a simpler less sophisticated competitor to the balance board, that connects to the GameCube controller port.
===Wii Remote===
{{Main|Wii Remote}}
[[File:Wiimote-in-Hands.jpg|thumb|A [[Wii Nunchuk|Nunchuk]], [[Wii Remote]] and [[Wii Remote#Strap|strap]] shown in 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]] within the [[Sensor Bar]]. This design allows users to control the game using physical gestures as well as traditional button presses. The controller connects to the console using [[Bluetooth]] and features [[Haptic technology#Computer and video games|rumble]] as well as an internal speaker. The Wii Remote can connect to expansion devices through a [[Proprietary software|proprietary]] port at the base of the controller. The device bundled with the Wii retail package is the [[Wii Nunchuk|Nunchuk]] unit, which features an accelerometer and a traditional [[analog stick]] with two trigger buttons.<!-- FURTHER INFO ATTACHMENTS SHOULD BE ADDED TO "WII REMOTE" ARTICLE --> In addition, an attachable [[Wii Remote#Strap|wrist strap]] can be used to prevent the player from unintentionally dropping or throwing the Wii Remote. Nintendo has also since offered a stronger strap and the [[Wii Remote Jacket]] to provide extra grip and protection. The [[Wii MotionPlus]] was announced as a device that connects to the Wii Remote to supplement the accelerometer and Sensor Bar capabilities and enable actions to be rendered identically on the screen in real time. Nintendo also revealed the [[Wii Vitality Sensor]], a fingertip [[pulse oximeter]] sensor that connects through the Wii Remote.<!-- FURTHER INFO ON REMOTE SHOULD BE ADDED TO "WII REMOTE" ARTICLE -->
===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 as well as 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. An installation can 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= http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/data.jsp#SDcopy|title=Nintendo Customer Service: Copy Data to an SD Card| publisher=Nintendo |accessdate=2008-05-14}}</ref> An SD card can also be used to create customized in-game music from stored [[MP3]] files, as first shown in ''[[Excite Truck]]'', as well as music for the [[slideshow]] feature of the [[Photo Channel]]. Version 1.1 of the Photo Channel removed MP3 playback in favor of [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]] support.
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 the spring of 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=2008-10-06}}</ref> Nintendo made the update available on March 25, 2009. In addition to the previously announced functionality, it lets the player load Virtual Console and WiiWare games directly from the SD card. The update allows the use of [[Secure Digital card#SDHC|SDHC]] cards, increasing the limit on SD card size from 2 GB to 32 GB.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thorsen|first=Tor|url=http://gdc.gamespot.com/story/6206693/?tag=topslot;img;3|title=New DS Zelda announced, Wii ships 50 million|work=GDC 2009|publisher=GameSpot|date=2009-03-25|accessdate= 2009-04-05}}{{Dead link|date=March 2010}}</ref>
===Technical specifications===
Nintendo has released few technical details regarding the Wii system, but some key facts have leaked through the press. Though none of these reports has been officially confirmed, they generally point to the console as being an extension or advancement of the [[Nintendo GameCube]] architecture. More specifically, the reported analyses state that the Wii is roughly 1.5 to 2 times as powerful as its predecessor.<ref name="Wii: The Total Story">{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/launchguide/hardware1.html|title=Wii: The Total Story|accessdate=2006-11-20| 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=2006-09-19|accessdate=2006-11-11}}</ref> Based on the leaked specifications, the Wii is the least powerful of the major home consoles in its generation.
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
'''Processors:'''
*[[Central processing unit|CPU]]: [[PowerPC]]-based [[Broadway (microprocessor)|"Broadway"]] processor, made with a [[90 nanometer|90 nm]] [[Silicon on insulator|SOI]] [[CMOS]] process, reportedly<sup>†</sup> clocked at 729 [[Hertz|MHz]]<ref name="IGNTech">{{cite web|title=IGN: Revolution's Horsepower|date=2006-03-29|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2006-12-23|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 nm CMOS process,<ref name="hard_japan">{{ja icon}}{{cite web|url= http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3_2006/wii/index.html|title=Wiiの概要 (Wii本体)|work=E3 2006|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=2006-05-22}}</ref> reportedly<sup>†</sup> clocked at 243 [[Hertz|MHz]]<ref name="IGNTech" />
*"[[ARM9|Starlet]]", part of the Hollywood package: an [[ARM9|ARM926EJ-S]] processor reportedly<sup>†</sup> clocked at 243 MHz.<ref name="WiiBrew">{{cite web|title=Hardware/Starlet|date=2009-09-23|publisher=WiiBrew|accessdate=2010-07-03|url=http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Starlet}}</ref>
'''Memory:'''
*88 [[Megabyte|MB]] [[Computer data storage|main memory]] (24 MB "internal" [[1T-SRAM]] integrated into graphics package, 64 MB "external" [[GDDR3]] SDRAM)<ref name="TechOnWii">{{cite web|title=PS3 VS Wii, Comparisons of Core LSI Chip Areas|date= 2006-11-27| publisher=TechOn!|accessdate=2006-12-15|url=http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20061127/124495/}}</ref>
*3 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 card|SD]] memory card slot (supports [[Secure Digital card#SDHC|SDHC]] cards as of System Menu 4.0)
*[[Mini USB|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 Channel, and the Internet Channel (as of 3.0 and 3.1 firmware update)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/wii/what/faq#section8_sub7|title=Wii — Frequently Asked Questions|accessdate= 2008-03-31|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=2007-01-25|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|authorlink=Matt Casamassina|date= 2006-09-20|publisher=IGN}}</ref>
*Compatible with optional [[Mini USB|USB]] 2.0 to [[Ethernet]] [[local area network|LAN]] adapter
*'AV Multi Out' port (See 'Video' section right)
'''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}}
'''Storage:'''
*512 MB built-in NAND [[flash memory]]
*Expanded storage via [[Secure Digital card|SD]] and [[Secure Digital card#SDHC|SDHC]] card memory (up to 32 GB)
*Nintendo GameCube Memory Card (required for GameCube game saves)
[[Image:broadwaycpu.JPG|thumb|IBM's Wii [[Broadway (microprocessor)|"Broadway"]] CPU]]
[[Image:Hollywood gpu.png|thumb|ATI's Wii "[[Hollywood (graphics chip)|Hollywood]]" GPU]]
*Slot-loading disc drive compatible with 8 cm Nintendo GameCube Game Disc and 12 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=2006-07-18|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|authorlink=Matt Casamassina|date=2006-07-17|publisher=IGN}}</ref>
'''Video:'''
*Custom 'AV Multi Out' port supporting [[composite video]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/setupAV.jsp|title=Nintendo Support: Connecting the Wii AV Cables|accessdate=2010-02-28|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> [[component video]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/setupComponents.jsp|title=Nintendo Support: About Component Video|accessdate=2010-02-28|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> [[S-Video]] ([[NTSC]] only)<ref>{{cite web|url= http://wii.nintendo.com/console.jsp| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080208235448/http://wii.nintendo.com/console.jsp|archivedate= 2008-02-08|title=What is Wii? |accessdate=2007-09-18|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> and RGB [[SCART]] ([[PAL]] only)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/systems/accessories_1243.html|title=Nintendo UK: Wii Accessories|accessdate=2010-02-26|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
*[[480p]] ([[PAL]]/[[NTSC]]), [[480i]] (PAL/NTSC) or [[576i]] (PAL/[[SECAM]]), standard 4:3 and [[Aspect ratio (image)|16:9]] [[anamorphic widescreen]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3154939|title=Wii Get It Now: Technical Specs |publisher=[[1UP.com]]|first=Amy|last=McDonough|date=2006-11-06|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref>
'''Audio:'''
*Main: Stereo – [[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=2006-09-21|url= http://investor.dolby.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=211978|accessdate=2006-09-23}}</ref>
*Controller: Built-in speaker
'''Power consumption:'''
*18 watts 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=2007-11-17|publisher=Hardcoreware.net|first=Carl|last=Nelson|date=2007-02-21}}</ref>
*9.6 watts in standby with [[WiiConnect24]] standby connection<ref name="Consume"/>
*1.3 watts in standby<ref name="Consume"/>
{{Col-end}}
†None of the [[clock rate]]s have been confirmed by [[Nintendo]], [[IBM]], or [[ATI Technologies|ATI]].
===Technical issues===
The first [[Wii system software]] update via WiiConnect24 caused a very small portion 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 it for a free replacement.<ref name="Wii Firmware down">{{cite web|url= http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=149572|title=Wii Connect 24 Kills Wiis|publisher=[[ComputerAndVideoGames.com]]| date=2006-11-21|first=Mike|last=Jackson|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref>
With the release of dual-layer Wii Optical Discs, Nintendo of America has stated that some Wii systems may have difficulty reading the high-density software due to a contaminated laser lens. Nintendo is offering a free repair for owners who experience this issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/repair/repair_form_us_ssbb.jsp|title=Repair Form for U.S. Residents|accessdate =2008-03-11|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= 2008-04-11|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref>
The Wii Remote can lose track of the Wii system that it has been set to, requiring that it be reset and resynchronized. Nintendo's support website provides instructions for this process, and to troubleshoot related issues.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://support.nintendo.com/|title=Nintendo support website|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
===Legal issues===
[[Interlink Electronics]] filed a patent-infringement lawsuit against Nintendo over the pointing functionalities 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|first=Micah|last= Seff|publisher=IGN|date=2006-12-08|accessdate=2006-12-08}}</ref> Law firm Green Welling LLP filed a [[class action]] lawsuit against Nintendo for its "defective wrist straps".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2006_Dec_16/ai_n16911839/|title=Nintendo Recalls Defective Wii Wrist Straps After Class Action Filed by Green Welling LLP|accessdate= 2007-03-23|publisher=Business Wire|date=2006-12-16}}</ref> A Texas-based company called Lonestar Inventions has also sued Nintendo, claiming that the company copied one of Lonestar's patented [[capacitor]] designs and used it in the Wii console.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/18/lonestar-sues-nintendo-over-wii-capacitor-design/|title=Lonestar sues Nintendo over Wii capacitor design|accessdate=2007-06-19|publisher=Engadget/Wall Street Journal|first=Conrad|last=Quilty-Harper|date=2006-06-18}}</ref>
Anascape Ltd, a [[Texas]]-based firm, also filed a lawsuit against Nintendo for patent infringements regarding Nintendo's controllers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/933/1027933/microsoft-nintendo-sued-over-games-controller|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071226182628rn_2/www.theinquirer.net/en/inquirer/news/2006/08/03/microsoft-nintendo-sued-over-games-controller|archivedate=2009-04-08|title=Microsoft, Nintendo sued over games controller |author=INQUIRER staff|publisher=The Inquirer|date=2006-08-03|accessdate=2006-12-08}}</ref> A July 2008 verdict found that a ban would be issued preventing Nintendo from selling the [[Classic Controller]] in the United States. Nintendo is free to continue selling the Classic Controller pending an appeal to the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit|U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aO_ucYxT3eNw |title=Nintendo Faces Ban on Some Wii, GameCube Controllers (Update2)|publisher=Bloomberg.com|first= Susan|last=Decker|date= 2008-07-22|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref> On Thursday, April 22, 2010, the Federal Circuit reversed the verdict that Nintendo had not infringed Anascape's patented controller.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/04/22/26649.htm |title=Nintendo Wins Patent Dispute Over Controllers}}</ref>
On August 19, 2008 Hillcrest Laboratories Inc. filed a complaint against Nintendo with the [[United States International Trade Commission|U.S International Trade Commission]]. The complaint alleges that the Wii Remote infringes on three of its patents. A fourth Hillcrest patent for graphical interfaces displayed on television screens is also alleged to have been violated. Hillcrest therefore sought a ban on Wii consoles imported to the U.S.,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121925111060757011.html?mod=googlenews_wsj|title=Start-Up Says Nintendo Violated Patents|publisher=online.wsj.com|first=Nick| last=Wingfield|date=2008-08-21|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref> but on August 24, 2009, Nintendo and Hillcrest reached a settlement, though the terms have not been publicly disclosed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nintendo settles US trade fight over Wii|url= http://www.theage.com.au/world/nintendo-settles-us-trade-fight-over-wii-20090825-ewno.html|date=2009-08-24|work=www.theage.com.au| publisher=[[The Age]]|accessdate=2009-08-24}}</ref><!-- Published in Australia on August 25 at 1AM, so it was August 24 Wikipedia time when it was published. -->
The trademark application for "Wii Remote" was given an initial rejection by the [[United States Patent and Trademark Office]]. The USPTO claimed that the word ''remote'' is commonly used and therefore should not be trademarked. The USPTO will accept Nintendo's trademark filing if the company disclaims exclusive rights to the word ''remote'' in the term.<ref>{{cite web|first=Christopher| last=Pioli|url=http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=9172|title=Nintendo has a hard time trademarking Wii Remote|publisher= Games Are Fun|date=2008-12-04|accessdate=2009-01-07}}</ref>
==Features==
The console contains a number of internal features made available from its hardware and [[firmware]] components. The hardware allows for extendibility through expansion ports while the firmware and some other pieces of 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=2006-10-12|date=2006-10-10}}</ref> -->
===Wii Menu===
[[Image:Wiimen.png|thumb|[[Wii Menu]]]]
{{Main|Wii Menu}}
The Wii Menu interface is designed around the concept of [[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 activated through updates. The Wii + Internet Video Channel was installed with consoles manufactured in October 2008 or later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/channelsWiiInternetVideo.jsp |title=Customer Service | Wii - Wii + Internet Channel Video |publisher=Nintendo |date= |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref> Additional channels are available for download from the [[Wii Shop Channel]] through [[WiiWare]] and also appear with each [[Virtual Console]] title. These include the [[Everybody Votes Channel]], [[Internet Channel]], [[Mii|Check Mii Out Channel]], and the [[Nintendo Channel]]. As of October 18, 2010 Wii owners can download the [[Netflix]] Channel from the Wii shop Channel.<ref name="Netflix-Nodisc">{{cite web|author=October 18, 2010 | Devindra Hardawar |url=http://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=2010-10-18 |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref>
===Backward compatibility===
<!-- - Wii Download Games Should not Be Mixed With Launch Titles - -->
[[Image:Wii-gamecube-compatibility.jpg|thumb|[[Nintendo GameCube]] ports on the top of the Wii unit]]
[[File:Wii GameCube slots.jpg|thumb|Wii GameCube ports]]
The Wii console is [[backward compatibility|backward compatible]] with all official [[Nintendo GameCube]] software, as well as Nintendo GameCube Memory Cards and controllers. Compatibility with software is achieved with the slot-loading drive's ability to accept [[Nintendo optical disc|Nintendo GameCube Game Discs]]. The console supports progressive-scan output in [[List of GameCube games with 480p and 16:9 support|480p-enabled GameCube titles]]. Peripherals can be connected via a set of four GameCube controller ports and two Memory Card slots concealed by removable flip-open panels.<ref name="Wii: The Total Story" /> The console therefore retains connectivity with the [[Game Boy Advance]] and [[Nintendo e-Reader|e-Reader]] through the [[Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable|Game Boy Advance Cable]], which is used in the same manner as it was used with the GameCube. This feature can only be accessed on those select GameCube titles that previously utilized it. The Wii for release in South Korea lacks GameCube backward compatibility.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.co.kr/wii/news/0,39051458,39400693-39098642p,00.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080618070527/http://www.gamespot.co.kr/wii/news/0,39051458,39400693-39098642p,00.htm|archivedate=2008-06-18|title=한국판 Wii, 타 국가게임 '사용불가'|author=김민규 기자|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|language=Korean| date=2008-04-14|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref>
A Wii console running a GameCube disc is restricted to GameCube functionality. As such, a GameCube controller is required to play GameCube titles, as neither the [[Wii Remote]] nor the [[Classic Controller]] functions in this capacity. A Nintendo GameCube Memory Card is also necessary to save game progress and content, as the Wii internal flash memory will not save GameCube games.
Backward compatibility is limited in some areas. Online and LAN-enabled features for Nintendo GameCube titles are unavailable on the Wii, as the console lacks serial ports for the [[Nintendo GameCube Broadband Adapter and Modem Adapter]]. The console uses a proprietary port for video output and is therefore incompatible with all Nintendo GameCube audio/video cables ([[composite video]], [[S-Video]], [[component video]] and RGB [[SCART]]). The console also lacks the GameCube footprint and high-speed port needed for [[Game Boy Player]] support.
===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 example Nintendo has given of a game using Nintendo DS-Wii connectivity is that of ''[[Pokémon Battle Revolution]]''. Players with either the [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl|''Pokémon Diamond'' or ''Pearl'']] Nintendo DS games are able to play battles using their Nintendo DS as a controller.<ref name="connectivity returns">{{cite web|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|date=2006-06-07|url= http://wii.ign.com/articles/711/711657p1.html|title=Connectivity Returns|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2006-06-07}}</ref> ''[[Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time]]'', released on both the Nintendo DS and Wii, features connectivity in which the two 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|coauthors=Hiroki Yomogita|date=2006-05-25|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=2006-06-09}}</ref> The console is also able to expand Nintendo DS games.<ref name="connectivity returns" />
===Online connectivity===
{{Main|Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection|WiiConnect24|Internet Channel|List of Wii Wi-Fi Connection games}}
The Wii console is able to connect 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, with both methods allowing players to access the established [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]] service.<ref name="Wii: The Total Story" /> [[Wireless LAN security|Wireless encryption]] by [[Wired Equivalent Privacy|WEP]], [[Wi-Fi Protected Access|WPA]] (TKIP/RC4) and [[IEEE 802.11i-2004|WPA2]] (CCMP/AES) are supported.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/onlineWirelessRouterChoose.jsp|title=Choosing a Wireless Router|accessdate= 2006-12-13|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> [[AOSS]] support was discreetly added in System Menu version 3.0.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://blogs.ign.com/craig-ign/2007/08/08/62734/#comments|title=Overlooked Wii 3.0 Update Function|accessdate=2007-08-08|publisher= IGN|first=Craig|last=Harris|authorlink=Craig Harris (journalist)|date=2007-08-08}}</ref>
Just as for the Nintendo DS, Nintendo does not charge fees for playing via the service<ref name="USA Today">{{cite web|url= http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-08-14-nintendo-qa_x.htm|title=Nintendo hopes Wii spells wiinner|accessdate=2006-08-16|date =2006-08-15|publisher=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref name="Wii Wi-Fi page">{{cite web|first=Stephen|last=Johnson|date= 2006-07-18|url=http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/618959/Secret_Wii_Details_Revealed.html|title=Secret Wii Details Revealed| work=The Feed|publisher=G4|accessdate=2006-07-20}}</ref> and the 12 digit Friend Code system controls how players connect to one another. Each Wii also has its own unique 16 digit Wii Code for use with Wii's non-game features.<ref name="Wii Wi-Fi page" /><ref name="Wii Wi-Fi Just Like DS">{{cite web|url= http://wii.ign.com/articles/707/707865p1.html|title=Wii Wi-Fi Just Like DS|last=Casamassina|first=Matt| authorlink=Matt Casamassina|publisher=IGN|date=2006-05-11|accessdate=2006-05-11}}</ref> This system also implements console-based software including the Wii Message Board. One can also connect to the internet with third-party devices.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Nyko Net Connect|journal=[[Game Informer]]|volume=178|year=2008|pages= 44|month=February}}</ref>
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 console can also communicate and connect with other Wii systems through a self-generated wireless [[local area network|LAN]], enabling local wireless multiplayer on different television sets. ''[[Battalion Wars 2]]'' first demonstrated this feature for non-split screen multiplayer 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=2006-08-23|accessdate=2007-01-25}}</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 difficulties 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=2009-12-26 | date=2009-11-13}}</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=2009-12-26}}</ref> which is free to 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=2010-09-27}}</ref> The service is only available to people in the United Kingdom.
On December 26, 2008, Nintendo announced that it will launch 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=2008-12-26|accessdate=2010-12-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iDAYNeM4idRhaY1Rk_VQvUZb1qOw|title=Nintendo says to offer videos on Wii|location=Tokyo|date=2008-12-25|agency= AFP|accessdate=2009-01-07}}</ref>
As of October 18, 2010 American and Canadian Wii owners can watch [[Netflix]] instantly as 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 that would be considered 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 correct override password. The parental controls can 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.
European units mainly 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=2005-11-16 |accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref> whereas North American units use the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] rating system.<ref name="par_esrb">{{cite press release|url=http://www.nintendo.com/newsarticle?articleid=z5UnNGZpQKWULzG0z8R501PA5IHoNPr2|title=Nintendo Announces Play Control System For Next Hardware|publisher= Nintendo|date=2005-11-16|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070213012428/http://www.nintendo.com/newsarticle?articleid=z5UnNGZpQKWULzG0z8R501PA5IHoNPr2|archivedate=2007-02-13}}</ref> The Wii unit supports the native rating systems of many countries, including [[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]] in Japan, the [[Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle|USK]] in Germany, both 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 that Nintendo uses to recover lost parental control passwords and created 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=2009-07-03}}</ref>
==Software library==
{{See also|List of Wii games|List of video games published by Nintendo|List of WiiWare games|Virtual Console}}
[[Image:Wii-optical-case.png|thumb|Wii Optical Disc in case]]
Retail copies of games are supplied on proprietary, [[DVD]]-like [[Nintendo optical disc|Wii Optical Discs]] packaged in a [[keep case]] along with instruction information. On European releases, these retail boxes have a triangle printed at the bottom corner of the paper insert sleeve side. The hue of the triangle can be used to identify which region the particular title is intended for and which manual languages are included. The console supports [[regional lockout]], which means that software purchased in one region can be only played on the hardware of the same region. <ref name="notregionfree">{{cite web|url= http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/15/wii-not-even-remotely-region-free/|first=Ludwig|last=Kietzmann|date=2006-09-14|title=Wii not even remotely region-free|publisher=Joystiq|accessdate=2006-12-06}}</ref>
New games representing Nintendo's flagship franchises, including ''[[The Legend of Zelda (series)|The Legend of Zelda]]'', ''[[Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'', ''[[Pokémon (video game series)|Pokémon]]'', and ''[[Metroid (series)|Metroid]]'', have been released, or are in development for Wii, in addition to many original titles and third party developed games. Nintendo has received strong third party support from prominent companies like [[Ubisoft]], [[Sega]], [[Square Enix]], [[Activision Blizzard]], [[Electronic Arts]], and [[Capcom]], with more games being developed exclusively 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=2007-07-25|accessdate=2007-07-29}}</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=2008-10-28}}</ref>
The [[Virtual Console]] service allows Wii owners to play games originally released for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] and [[Nintendo 64]], as well as [[Sega]]'s [[Mega Drive|Mega Drive/Genesis]] and [[Sega Master System|SG-1000 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=2008-01-25|first=Anoop|last=Gantayat|accessdate=2008-09-17}}</ref> [[NEC]]'s [[TurboGrafx-16|TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine]], [[SNK Playmore|SNK]]'s [[Neo Geo (console)|Neo Geo console]], the [[Commodore 64]], and a selection of [[arcade game]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.nintendo.com/wii/virtualconsole|title=Virtual Console at Nintendo |publisher=[[Nintendo]]|accessdate=2008-09-17}}</ref> 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 card|SD card]]. Once downloaded, Virtual Console games can be accessed from the [[Wii Menu]] as individual channels, or directly from an SD card via the SD Card Menu. There is also a [[Wii homebrew]] community dedicated to creating and playing content that does not receive Nintendo endorsement.
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=2008-12-23}}</ref> The developer must however be authorized by Nintendo to develop games for the console. Games must also be submitted to and accepted by Nintendo in order to be sold.
Over 509.66 million Wii games were sold worldwide as of December 2009, with [[List of best-selling Wii video games|54 titles]] surpassing the million-unit mark.<ref name="wii sells 67 million" /> The most successful game is ''[[Wii Sports]]'', which comes bundled with the console in most regions, and has sold 67.71 million copies worldwide as of September 30, 2010,<ref name=101028e/> and surpassed ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' as the best-selling game of all time.<ref>{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Ivan|title=Wii Sports The Best Selling Game Ever?|url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/wii-sports-the-best-selling-game-ever|work=Edge Online|publisher=Future US|date=2009-05-08|quote=When approached, however, Nintendo UK said that it couldn’t confirm that sales of Wii Sports had overtaken those of Super Mario Bros.}}</ref> The best-selling unbundled game is ''[[Wii Play]]'', with 26.71 million units.<ref name=Q409/>
==Reception==
The system was well received after its exhibition at [[History of E3|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=2006-08-13|work=Game Critics Awards}}</ref> In the December 2006 issue of ''[[Popular Science]]'', the console was awarded with the 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|year=2006|month= December|pages= 80}}</ref> [[Spike (TV channel)|Spike TV]]'s Video Games Award also granted the console the award in breakthrough technology.<ref name="Spike TV Award">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6162929.html|title=Oblivion nabs Spike TV top honors|accessdate=2007-03-10|publisher=GameSpot|first=Tim|last=Surette|date=2006-12-09}}</ref> [[GameSpot]] chose the console as the Best Hardware on their Best and Worst 2006 awards show.<ref name="Gamespot Award">{{cite web|url= http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/achievement/index.html?page=21|title=GameSpot Best Games and Worst Games of 2006|accessdate=2007-03-10|publisher=GameSpot}}</ref> The system was also chosen as one of ''[[PC World (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=http://web.archive.org/web/20080118042456/http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,128176-page,2-c,electronics/article.html|archivedate=2008-01-18|title=The 20 Most Innovative Products of the Year| accessdate=2007-03-10|publisher=''[[PC World (magazine)|PC World]]''|date=2006-12-27}}</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=2007-10-26| accessdate=2007-10-31}}</ref> In the category of Engineering & Technology for Creation and Implementation of Video Games and Platforms, Nintendo was awarded an Emmy 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]. January 8, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-01-14</ref>
The worldwide success of the Wii has caught third party developers by surprise, leading to some apologizing 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 had made a mistake in rushing out their launch titles, promising to take future projects more seriously.<ref>{{cite web|last=Görig|first=Carsten|publisher=Der Spiegel|title=Spieler verzweifelt gesucht|date=2007-05-30|url= http://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/spielzeug/0,1518,485385,00.html|language=German|accessdate=2007-06-18}}</ref> [[Take-Two Interactive]], who released few games for the [[Nintendo GameCube]], changed its stance on 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=2007-04-10|url= http://wii.ign.com/articles/779/779642p1.html|accessdate=2007-06-18}}</ref>
At the same time, criticism of the Wii Remote and the 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=2006-11-17|url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/thelegendofzelda/review.html|title=The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=2007-03-07 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070303150330/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/thelegendofzelda/review.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-03-03}}</ref> while [[Factor 5]] President Julian Eggebrecht criticized the hardware audio as being substandard for a console of its generation.<ref name="Rock You">{{cite web|last= Radd| first=David|title=Wii Won't Rock You|date=2006-11-17|publisher=GameDaily.biz|accessdate=2007-01-31|url= http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/opinion-wii-wont-rock-you/69717/?biz=1}}</ref> U.K.-based developer [[Crytek UK|Free Radical Design]] stated that the Wii hardware lacks the power necessary to run the software it had 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=http://web.archive.org/web/20071214224330/http://www.frd.co.uk/faq.php?id=3#faq_3|archivedate=2007-12-14|title=Free Radical Design FAQ}} frd.co.uk. Retrieved on March 8, 2007.</ref> The online connectivity of the Wii was subject to criticism, as [[Matt Casamassina]] of [[IGN]] compared it to the "entirely unintuitive" service provided for the [[Nintendo DS]].<ref>Casamassina, Matt (January 24, 2007). [http://wii.ign.com/mail/2007-01-24.html N-Query]. [[IGN]]. Retrieved on January 27, 2007.</ref>
An executive for Frontline Studios expressed that major publishers are wary of releasing exclusive titles for the console due to the perception that third-party companies are 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=2007-01-24|publisher=[[Eurogamer|GamesIndustry.biz]]|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/publishers-wary-of-creating-nintendo-titles-says-wii-developer|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071211030359/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=22368| archivedate=2007-12-11 }}</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=2008-01-29|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref>
Game designer and ''[[The Sims]]'' creator [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]] shared his thoughts on the Wii within the context of the current console generation: "The only next gen system I've seen is the Wii – 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 – 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=2007-10-26|title=Q&A: Will Wright, creator of the Sims|author=Johnson, Bobbie|url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/oct/26/willwright|accessdate=2008-09-25 | location=London}}</ref>
Using the Wii is often seen as being more physically demanding than other game consoles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB116441076273232312-3nPirhZn20_L2P7m_ROtFUkh6yA_20071124.html|title=A Wii Workout: When Videogames Hurt|first= Jamin|last=Warren|date=2006-11-25|publisher=Wall Street Journal|accessdate=2008-01-16}}</ref>
Some Wii players have occasionally experienced a form of [[tennis elbow]] referred to as "Wiiitis."<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0616721120070606|title=If it's not tennis elbow, it may be "Wiiitis"|date= 2007-06-06|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=2008-03-27}}</ref> A study published in the ''[[BMJ|British Medical Journal]]'' states that Wii players use more energy than they do playing sedentary computer games. It is however indicated that while this energy increase may be beneficial to weight management, it is 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=2007-12-21|accessdate= 2008-09-25}}</ref> A case study published in the American Physical Therapy Association’s journal ''Physical Therapy'' focused on use of the Wii for rehabilitation of a teen with [[cerebral palsy]]. It is believed to be the first published research showing the physical therapy benefits resulting from use of the gaming system. Researchers say the gaming system complements traditional techniques.<ref>[http://newswise.com/articles/view/544616/ Research Shows Rehabilitation Benefits of Using Nintendo Wii] Newswise, Retrieved on September 28, 2008.</ref> In May 2010 the [[American Heart Association]] (AHA) endorsed the Wii to encourage sedentary people to take the first step toward fitness. The AHA heart icon covers the console itself along with two of its more active games, [[Wii Fit Plus]] and [[Wii Sports Resort]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_15104216 |title=Heart group backs Wii video game console in obesity campaign |author=Joel Schectman |agency=Associated Press |date=17 May 2010 |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |accessdate=17 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.activeplaynow.com/ |title=American Heart Association and Nintendo of America Online Information Center |publisher=Activeplaynow.com |date=2010-01-20 |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref>
In 2009, [[IGN]] named the Wii the 10th greatest console of all time, in a field of 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/top-25-consoles/10.html |title=Nintendo Wii is number 10 |publisher=IGN |date= |accessdate=2010-11-11}}</ref>
==See also==
*[[Wii system software]]
==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links==
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{{Portal box|Electronics|Nintendo}}
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*[http://www.wii.com/ Global and general Wii site]
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*[[Wii System Software]]
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[[nn:Wii]]
[[pnb:وی]]
[[nds:Wii]]
[[pl:Wii]]
[[pt:Wii]]
[[ro:Wii]]
[[qu:Wii]]
[[ru:Wii]]
[[sco:Wii]]
[[sq:Nintendo Wii]]
[[simple:Wii]]
[[sk:Wii]]
[[sl:Wii]]
[[sr:Wii]]
[[sh:Wii]]
[[fi:Wii]]
[[sv:Wii]]
[[th:วี (เครื่องเล่นเกม)]]
[[tr:Wii]]
[[uk:Wii]]
[[zh-yue:Wii]]
[[zh:Wii]]' |
