Wii
The Wii with Wii Remote
Manufacturer Nintendo
Type Video game console
Generation Seventh generation era
First available November 19, 2006
CPU IBM PowerPC-based[1] "Broadway"
GPU ATI "Hollywood"
Media 12 cm Wii Optical Disc
8 cm Nintendo GameCube Game Disc
System storage 512 MB Internal flash memory
Secure Digital card
Nintendo GameCube Memory Card
Controller input Wii remote, Nintendo GameCube controller
Connectivity Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
USB 2.0 x2
LAN Adapter (via USB)
Online service Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
WiiConnect24
Virtual Console
Wii Menu
Backward compatibility Nintendo GameCube
Predecessor Nintendo GameCube
Successor Wii U
Article on Nintendo Wiki Wii

The Wii (pronounced the same as the pronoun "we", IPA: [wiː]) is the sixth home video game console released by Nintendo. The console is the direct successor to the Nintendo GameCube. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3, but it competes with both as part of the seventh generation of video game systems.

A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and can detect acceleration and orientation in three dimensions. Another feature is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode. The Wii remote and nunchuck combination can be used to play Super Smash Bros. Brawl, while the Wii remote (turned on it's side), the Classic Controller for Brawl, or a GameCube controller may also be used.

Nintendo first spoke of the console at the 2004 E3 press conference and later unveiled the system at the 2005 E3. Satoru Iwata revealed a prototype of the controller at the September 2005 Tokyo Game Show. At E3 2006, the console won the first of several awards. By December 8, 2006, it had completed its launch in four key markets. The Financial Times reported that as of September 12, 2007, the Wii is the sales leader of its generation, based on sales figures from Enterbrain, NPD Group and GfK.

In the Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a Super Smash Bros. game released game for the Wii in 2008. Backwards compatibility allows for Super Smash Bros. Melee to be played on the Wii, but with GameCube controllers instead of the Wii Remote and the Nunchuck. Also, Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64 has been released on the Virtual Console in Japan, Europe and America for 1000 Wii Points. This makes it possible to play all three Smash Bros. games on the Wii.

References

  1. ^ Wii: The Total Story. IGN. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.