Nintendo Wii
When on 14 September 2006 Nintendo announced release dates for later that year for its seventh generation games console, the Nintendo Wii, they surely could not have anticipated the unprecedented demand for the product. In some places since its release, demand has completely outpaced supply, and it seems consumers cannot get enough of the console with its wireless controller, the Wii Remote. Wii is completely outselling its main competitors Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and has won a number of awards at game shows across the globe.
The main feature of the Nintendo Wii is the Wii Remote which can be used as a hand held pointing device that is motion sensitive, detecting movement in three dimensions. Playing games such as tennis or baseball is more fun than with a traditional games console as you need to make the ergonomic motions that you would if you were playing the sport or game for real. The Wii Remote can be used for a variety of different games, so one minute it can be a golf club, the next a steering wheel of a car.
Currently there are just over 120 Wii games to choose from and there is generally something to please all members of the family. Indeed, Nintendo promote the fact that the whole family will be able to join in the fun as the controller makes it easier for technophobes and people of all ages to join in.
Another fantastic innovation is the Wii Virtual Console, a section of the Wii Shop Channel, which allows players to purchase and download Nintendo games from the past. This feature has proved universally popular, and as of December 2007, over 10 million Virtual Console titles have been downloaded from the library. Updates and messages from the internet can also be received via another great concept, WiiConect24, whilst the console is in standby mode.
The latest Wii initiative is a fun and fitness system aptly named Wii fit. This new concept allows the user to check the shape they are in, improve fitness, improve balance and much more.
The Nintendo Wii has completely changed the gaming console landscape and is set to go from strength to strength.
