Wii



The Wii is Nintendo's seventh-generation video game console. The system's code name was "Revolution", and as with the Nintendo GameCube, this reference appears on the console and its accessories. The major feature of the Wii console is the console's wireless controller, the Wii Remote, affectionately referred to as the Wiimote, that may be used as a handheld pointing device and can detect motion and rotation in three dimensions. The controller comes with a Nunchuk accessory which provides additional controls, including more motion sensing. The controller also contains a speaker and a rumble device to provide sensory feedback, and can be used to turn the console on and off.

The console also features a stand-by mode entitled WiiConnect24, enabling it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while consuming little electrical power. The console is bundled with a game, Wii Sports. In Japan and Korea, Wii Sports is not included with the console, and is a standalone title.

Nintendo later made a black version with both Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. This new version included the Wii MotionPlus accessory.

As of December 31, 2011, the Wii has sold 94.97 million units worldwide.

The Wii, like the Nintendo GameCube, is the smallest and most compact system in its generation. However, the Wii does not have the ability to match certain technical aspects of its competitors of its generation, such as high graphical complexity using hundreds of millions of polygons per second, Pixel Shader Model 3.0 and high-definition resolution (the Wii can only achieve 480p, as opposed to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, which can achieve 1080p).

On December 15, 2006, Nintendo announced it would offer to replace wrist straps for 3.2 million Wii controllers. Consumers reported they were breaking during game play.

By April 2007, the Wall Street Journal declared Nintendo had "become the company to beat in the games business" with the Wii outselling its home system rivals and overshadowing the better selling Nintendo DS portable. Nintendo's profits were up 77 % on the fiscal year due to Wii and Nintendo DS sales.

Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata has urged Nintendo not to get "complacent" due to the early success of the Wii. He continued by saying it was important "not to lose internal momentum and energy". Iwata urged Nintendo to continue its momentum.

Nintendo has sold 94.97 million Wii consoles through December 31, 2011.

Games
List of Wii Games