Difference between revisions of "Wii"

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{{ConsoleBob
[[Image:NintendoRevolution.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Nintendo Wii prototype]]
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| logos=[[File:Wii logo.svg|150px]]
'''Wii''' (pronounced "we") is [[Nintendo]]'s fifth home console, and the successor to the [[Nintendo GameCube]]. A unique feature of the Wii is the wireless motion sensing controller, which can be used as a handheld pointing device as well as detect motion in three dimensions. Another unique feature is the stand-by feature entitled WiiConnect24, which allows for the Wii to recieve mesages and updates over the internet while in stand-by mode.
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| consoleimage=NintendoRevolution.jpg
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| imgwidth=320px
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| name=
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| maker=[[Nintendo]]
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| variants=
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| add-ons=
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| releases={{releasesWii
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| wii_date_us=2006-11-19
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| wii_rrp_us=249.99
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| wii_date_jp=2006-12-02
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| wii_date_au=2006-12-07
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| wii_date_eu=2006-12-08
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| wii_rrp_uk=179
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| wii_date_kr=2008-04-26
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| wii_date_tw=2008-07-12
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}}
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}}
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The '''Wii''' (pronounced "we"), codenamed '''Revolution''', is a video game console created by [[Nintendo]] as the successor to the [[Nintendo GameCube]] in 2006. It competed in the seventh generation of home video game consoles, in which, due to a radical shift in marketing strategy by Nintendo, it came to dominate, selling almost 100 million units worldwide. The Wii was succeeded by the [[Wii U]] in late 2012.
  
Until Nintendo announced the console's official name on April 27, 2006, the official codename of Wii was the Nintendo '''Revolution'''.  
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==Overview==
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Rather than opt for the traditional tactic of creating a system significantly more powerful to its predecessor, Nintendo designed the Wii to capitalise on what it thought would be the future of gaming - new and innovative ways to play paired alongside a marketing strategy which targeted who Nintendo deemed as "non-gamers". The result was a system not too dissimilar from the GameCube, but instead utilised motion control - Wii Remotes, which not only responded to button presses like traditional controllers, but could be moved and rotated by the player in the real world, creating an effect on-screen.
  
Upon release it quickly became the top selling console of its generation.
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Nintendo put its innovative controller ahead of traditional aspects such as graphics and processing power, creating a system capable of playing a very different selection of video games than its rivals. It was seen as a major shift in strategy which was also mirrored to some extent by the already available [[Nintendo DS]] handheld, and Nintendo worked this concept to a great extent, capitalising on similar extensions such as the Wii Balance Board and Wii Motion Plus. Third-parties also got on board in the early years trying to persue a similar strategy, and from Nintendo's perspective it paid off, creating one of the most successful home consoles in history.
  
==History==
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However, by 2010 much of the novelty had worn off - those in favour of traditional console gaming experiences migrating over to the [[Xbox 360]] or [[PlayStation 3]] to capitalise on the superior technology on offer. Third-party developers saw their games suffer on the Wii, with only first-party Nintendo games being seen to utilise the technology in meaningful ways. As a result, although more Wii consoles outsold the competition for much of the generation, software attachment rates were low, and many third-party publishers abandoned the system entirely. Later models stripped away GameCube backwards compatibility, and slowing sales caused Nintendo to develop and release a successor, the Wii U, built to regain the support the company had lost.
The console was conceived in 2001, as the Nintendo GameCube was first seeing release. Nintendo sought to bring a new level of player interaction to gameplay. Two years later, engineers and 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 E3 was withdrawn as there was still a bit of troubleshooting do with the controller. However, the console was displayed at that years E3. Later, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata later unveiled and demonstrated the Wii Remote at the September Tokyo Game Show.
 
  
The [[Nintendo DS]] is said to have influenced the Wii design. In fact, a prototype with a DS style touch panel was created but ultimately rejected.
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==Sega Support==
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Like many publishers, [[Sega]] was optimistic with the Wii when it first launched, and the vastly differing specifications to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 led to the creation of many Wii exclusive games. ''[[Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz]]'' was a launch title for the console, and was followed by titles such as ''[[Sonic and the Secret Rings]]'', ''[[Samba de Amigo (Wii)|Samba de Amigo]]'' and ''[[NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams]]''. Sega also published games attempting to appeal to more traditonal gamers such as ''[[The House of the Dead: Overkill]]'' and in the west, the controversial ''[[MadWorld]]''. It also published [[High Voltage Software]]'s ''[[The Conduit]]'', expected to be a top FPS for the system.
  
==Features==
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Though initially enthusiastic about the Wii, by 2010 Sega were merely releasing multi-platform games and niche titles such as ''[[Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns]]'', axing support entirely by the end of 2011. It is assumed, much like other third-parties, that Sega's titles did not sell particularly well on the console, with output instead being directed at the Wii's rivals with the expectation of generating more profit.
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 can receive periodic updates via the WiiConnect24 service.
 
  
==Wii Menu==
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Sega was a major supporter of the Wii's [[Virtual Console]] service, allowing the system to play downloadable [[Sega Mega Drive]] and [[Sega Master System]] games, as well as a small selection of arcade games. Support for this service also began to deteriorate after 2010, although this may have simply been down to a lack of games to re-release at this point.
The Wii Menu operating system interface is designed around the concept of television channels. Separate channels are graphically displayed in a grid and are navigated using the pointer capability of the Wii Remote. 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 firmware updates. 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, Check Mii Out Channel, and the Nintendo Channel.
 
  
===Backward compatibility===
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==List of Sega Games for the Wii==
The Wii console is backward compatible with all official Nintendo GameCube software, as well as Nintendo GameCube Memory Cards and controllers. Compatibility with software is achieved with the slot-loading drive's ability to accept Nintendo GameCube Game Discs. The console supports progressive-scan output in 480p-enabled 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.[2] The console therefore retains connectivity with the Game Boy Advance and e-Reader through the 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.
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{{multicol|
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''<DPL>
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category=Wii games
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notnamespace=category
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ordermethod=title
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order=ascending
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</DPL>''
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|cols=3}}
  
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.
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===By region===
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*[[List of Wii games in Australia]]
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*[[List of Wii games in Brazil]]
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*[[List of Wii games in Canada]]
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*[[List of Wii games in France]]
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*[[List of Wii games in Germany]]
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*[[List of Wii games in Italy]]
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*[[List of Wii games in Japan]]
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*[[List of Wii games in Mexico]]
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*[[List of Wii games in Russia]]
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*[[List of Wii games in South Korea]]
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*[[List of Wii games in Spain]]
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*[[List of Wii games in Taiwan]]
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*[[List of Wii games in the United Kingdom]]
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*[[List of Wii games in the United States]]
  
Backward compatibility is limited in some areas. Online and LAN-enabled features for Nintendo GameCube titles are unavailable on the Wii, as the console lacks serial ports for the Broadband Adapter and Modem Adapter. The 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.
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==References==
 
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<references />
==Nintendo DS connectivity==
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[[Category:Non-Sega consoles]]
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'' or ''Pearl'' Nintendo DS games are able to play battles using their Nintendo DS as a controller. Nintendo later released the Nintendo Channel, which allows Wii owners to download game demos or additional data to their Nintendo DS in a process similar to that of a DS Download Station. The console is also able to expand Nintendo DS games.
 
 
 
==Virtual Console==
 
The [[Virtual Console]], a retrogame download service, is one of the top draws of the console for old-school gamers. For a small fee players can download and play classic video games spanning many consoles.
 
 
 
===Known specifications===
 
* Processors:
 
** IBM PowerPC CPU "Broadway": ~729 MHz (1.5x faster than the GameCube's "Gekko")
 
** ATI GPU "Hollywood":
 
*** Upgraded version of the GameCube's GPU
 
* Memory:
 
** 88 MiB 1T-SRAM by MoSys
 
** 512 MiB built-in flash memory
 
*** Stores Wii game save data, downloaded channels, and firmware updates.
 
* Ports:
 
** Two USB 2.0 ports.
 
** Proprietary Sensor Bar port (provides power to the Sensor Bar)
 
** Wii Multi-AV Out (not compatible with earlier Nintendo AV cables)
 
** 2× [[Nintendo GameCube]] memory card slots for GameCube compatibility
 
* Controllers:
 
** Up to 4 Nintendo Wii Remotes
 
*** Extension controllers for Wii Remotes:
 
**** Nunchuk
 
**** Classic Controller
 
**** MotionPlus (revealed E3 2008)
 
** 4× [[Nintendo GameCube]] controller ports, used for GameCube games and some Wii games
 
* Media:
 
** Slot loading optical disc drive compatible with both 12 cm and 8 cm proprietary optical discs (again, for GameCube compatibility) as well as standard DVD discs.
 
** 2× front loading SD memory card slots.
 
* Networking:
 
** Broadcom 802.11g wireless module
 
** Optional USB Ethernet adapter (Asix AX88772 chipset)
 
 
 
=== List of Sonic Games for the Wii ===
 
*''[[Sonic and the Secret Rings]]''
 
*''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]''
 
*''[[Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity]]''
 
*''[[Sega Superstars Tennis]]''
 
*''[[Sonic Unleashed]]''
 
*''[[Sonic and the Black Knight]]''
 
 
 
==See also==
 
*[[Nintendo GameCube]]
 
*[[Nintendo DS]]
 
 
 
==External links==
 
* [http://hardware.gamespot.com/Story-ST-15143-2567-x-x-x GameSpot: The Wii Revealed]
 
* [http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651224p1.html IGN: Wii Controller - The Possibilities]
 
* [http://media.cube.ign.com/articles/651/651334/vids_1.html Video of controller usage]
 
* [http://www.gamerwithin.com/?view=article&article=529 Gamer Within's Impressions of the Wii Controller]
 
* [http://lostgarden.com/2005/09/nintendos-genre-innovation-strategy.html Nintendo Genre Innovation Strategy]
 
* [http://www.gamingsteve.com/archives/2005/09/why_is_the_revo.php#more Slides from the TGS Keynote announcing the Wii controller]
 
* [http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20050928/hong_01.shtml Responses from developers]
 
* [http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3144666 1up: The Wii Begins Now]
 
* [http://hardware.gamespot.com/Story-ST-15143-2025-4-6-x Namco/Bandai]
 
* [http://www.Wiireport.com/articles/read/106 Koei]
 
 
 
[[Category:Hardware]]
 
[[Category:Nintendo]]
 

Revision as of 06:42, 15 July 2017

NintendoRevolution.jpg
Wii
Manufacturer: Nintendo
Release Date RRP Code
Nintendo Wii
JP
Nintendo Wii
US
$249.99249.99
Nintendo Wii
EU
Nintendo Wii
AU
Nintendo Wii
KR
Nintendo Wii
TW

The Wii (pronounced "we"), codenamed Revolution, is a video game console created by Nintendo as the successor to the Nintendo GameCube in 2006. It competed in the seventh generation of home video game consoles, in which, due to a radical shift in marketing strategy by Nintendo, it came to dominate, selling almost 100 million units worldwide. The Wii was succeeded by the Wii U in late 2012.

Overview

Rather than opt for the traditional tactic of creating a system significantly more powerful to its predecessor, Nintendo designed the Wii to capitalise on what it thought would be the future of gaming - new and innovative ways to play paired alongside a marketing strategy which targeted who Nintendo deemed as "non-gamers". The result was a system not too dissimilar from the GameCube, but instead utilised motion control - Wii Remotes, which not only responded to button presses like traditional controllers, but could be moved and rotated by the player in the real world, creating an effect on-screen.

Nintendo put its innovative controller ahead of traditional aspects such as graphics and processing power, creating a system capable of playing a very different selection of video games than its rivals. It was seen as a major shift in strategy which was also mirrored to some extent by the already available Nintendo DS handheld, and Nintendo worked this concept to a great extent, capitalising on similar extensions such as the Wii Balance Board and Wii Motion Plus. Third-parties also got on board in the early years trying to persue a similar strategy, and from Nintendo's perspective it paid off, creating one of the most successful home consoles in history.

However, by 2010 much of the novelty had worn off - those in favour of traditional console gaming experiences migrating over to the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 to capitalise on the superior technology on offer. Third-party developers saw their games suffer on the Wii, with only first-party Nintendo games being seen to utilise the technology in meaningful ways. As a result, although more Wii consoles outsold the competition for much of the generation, software attachment rates were low, and many third-party publishers abandoned the system entirely. Later models stripped away GameCube backwards compatibility, and slowing sales caused Nintendo to develop and release a successor, the Wii U, built to regain the support the company had lost.

Sega Support

Like many publishers, Sega was optimistic with the Wii when it first launched, and the vastly differing specifications to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 led to the creation of many Wii exclusive games. Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz was a launch title for the console, and was followed by titles such as Sonic and the Secret Rings, Samba de Amigo and NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams. Sega also published games attempting to appeal to more traditonal gamers such as The House of the Dead: Overkill and in the west, the controversial MadWorld. It also published High Voltage Software's The Conduit, expected to be a top FPS for the system.

Though initially enthusiastic about the Wii, by 2010 Sega were merely releasing multi-platform games and niche titles such as Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns, axing support entirely by the end of 2011. It is assumed, much like other third-parties, that Sega's titles did not sell particularly well on the console, with output instead being directed at the Wii's rivals with the expectation of generating more profit.

Sega was a major supporter of the Wii's Virtual Console service, allowing the system to play downloadable Sega Mega Drive and Sega Master System games, as well as a small selection of arcade games. Support for this service also began to deteriorate after 2010, although this may have simply been down to a lack of games to re-release at this point.

List of Sega Games for the Wii

By region

References