Nintendo Wii [2007] 

"Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else."
Nintendo President, Satoru Iwata

To the next generation of Nintendo consoles comes the Wii. An altogether improved package crammed full of interesting features, all in a diminutive and stylish case.

Wii could be seen as a somewhat rediculous name, but it does have many things going for it. As explained by Nintendo, the Wii, pronounced as "we", denotes that the console is for everyone. As well as the fact that it is universally recognised and remembered, and has a distinctive "ii" to indicate the unique controllers that exist for the Wii. Not only that, how ever much you criticise the name, you will surely always remember it (if that's all they're after then they've done a good job!).

The Wii, is small and discrete (size of three DVD cases stacked on top of each other), ideal for the home rather than the bulky and overwhelming solution by the main competitors, the PS3 and the Xbox 360.

The standout feature of the Nintendo Wii is its unusual controller. Known as the "Wiimote", it has motion sensors that enable the user to input directly with the wave of the controller (e.g. used in tennis, golf or fishing). The Wiimote also plays sound and includes force feedback, allowing the user to experience rumbles, to mimic feelings experienced during the game. If required, the Wiimote can be hooked up with to an analog stick, making the "Nunchuck controller".

The Wii will have a free online gaming feature, but it is not in place at the moment and will only be compatible with certain games. The first game to use this multiplayer online feature will be Pokemon Battle Revolution when it's released on 25th June.

An additional feature to the Wii is its “virtual console” software, which enables the user to use a download service to play retro console games from such consoles as the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) and the NEC TurboGrafx-16. These can be stored on flash memory cards (512 MB) which is ample for a collection of games (also a hard drive can be plugged in via USB if more storage is necessary). Furthermore, the Wii has backwards compatibility with GameCube games allowing GameCube discs to be placed directly in to the console. To facilitate backwards compatibility, the console also comes with a retro-styled gamepad. As well as all this, the Wii comes with ports to connect original GameCube controllers (one of the most ergonomic standard controllers around).

One downside to the Nintendo Wii is its maximum resolution of only 480p, which is lower than the high definition resolution of the PS3 (1080p) and to a lesser extent the Xbox 360 (1080i). Also the speed of the CPU is lower than its rivals. If high detailed graphics is a major issue with you, to keep up with technology, then maybe this console should be avoided.

What appears to be different about the Nintendo Wii is in its design, is its focus on providing the most important factor necessary for gaming, fun. While the PS3 and Xbox 360 rally around trying to find best chips and components, the Wii has looked at their audience and thought about what they really want, a gaming experience that everyone can enjoy.

VERDICT

Graphics Audio Games Extra features Cost The Wii was officially released in the UK on 8th December 2006 (16th November in US, 2nd December in Japan). The Wii, is a different alternative to the PS3 and Xbox 360. It has outstanding features and for many will be their second console. Its standard price of £179 is good also, which makes it value for money and a definite worry for its major rivals.