Wii
Template:System The Wii is Nintendo's 5th major gaming console, intended to succeed the Nintendo GameCube and compete with the Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Its American release date was November 19th at MSRP of $249.99, and December 7th in Australia with a MSRP of $399.99.[1]
On April 27, 2006, the Revolution code name was dropped by Nintendo for the system's true name, Wii. A lot of controversy arose on the Internet due to what many regarded to be a ridiculous name.
System Specs
Notice: These specs are only "confirmed" details about the system. Nintendo has not yet released all the details about their new console. (Copied from VGRC.net with permission)
- Processor: IBM designed, codenamed Broadway.
- Graphics: ATI designed, codenamed Hollywood.
- Drive: Slot-loading drive uses a 12cm proprietary format, which is rumored to hold the same data as a dual-layered DVD. Also plays GameCube disks.
- Internet: Wireless through 802.11b and 802.11g or by purchasing a cable adapter. "Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection" is the service, which only requires a wireless connection to the internet. Game downloading will also be functional, for downloading old NES, MSX, Turbografx, C64, Super NES, MegaDrive/Genesis or Nintendo 64 games.
- Backwards Compatibility: In addition to being able to play GCN games, the Wii also has a bay with 4 GCN controller ports and 2 GCN memory card slots.
- Storage: In addition to the GCN memory card slots, the Wii also sports 2 flash memory slots.
- Controllers: Supports up to 4 of Nintendo's new wireless "remote" style controllers. (See below)
- I/O: 1 Component digital out, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 power input.
- Design: Thickness is about 3 DVD cases. Has been previewed in multiple colors, as has the controllers.
The Controller
The Wii controller resembles a television remote. It features a D-pad, an A button, a B button, a select button, a home button, a start button, a 1 button and a 2 button. In addition, there are a group of lights on the bottom to remind you what player you are, a power button, and a slot to connect the nunchuk attachment, which will have an analog control stick and two trigger buttons.
Possibly the most important feature of the controller is its ability to detect motion in three dimensions, allowing for motion-controlled gameplay.
At the E3 2006 conference, Nintendo revealed that the controller would have a built-in speaker for further sound depth. Noises made from your weapons would start in the controller and end up on the television screen.
Recently, it is has been announced that the controller will also hold preferences for a player in internal memory, as well as removable SD media.
There is also the Classic Controller, this resembles a SNES controller with 8 buttons excluding the Start and Select buttons. It is used for games such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl and to play Virtual Console games.
Zelda Games
New games
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Link's Crossbow Training
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Not an official Zelda game, but it features Zelda characters)
- Captain Rainbow (Not an official Zelda game, but it features a Zelda character.
Virtual Console
- The Legend of Zelda (NES)
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES)
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Super NES)
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64)
Utilizing the Virtual Console, as well as the system's ability to play GameCube games, every console Zelda game to date can be played on the Wii.
References
External Links
- Basic review and thoughts on the Nintendo Wii controller. Written by Captain Cornflake for VGRC.
- Nintendo Wii image gallery on VGRC.
- TGS 2005 Nintendo Wii Coverage on IGN.