Wii

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Home video game console by Nintendo

The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii competed with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. The Wii introduced the Wii Remote controller, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and detects movement in three dimensions. Another notable feature of the console is the WiiConnect24, which enabled it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode.

Development

The development of the Wii began shortly after the release of the GameCube. Nintendo aimed to create a console that would appeal to a broader audience than its competitors. The design of the Wii Remote was intended to make gaming more accessible to people who had never played video games before.

Hardware

The Wii is powered by a custom IBM PowerPC-based CPU, codenamed "Broadway," and a custom ATI GPU, codenamed "Hollywood." The console includes 512 MB of internal flash memory, which can be expanded using SD cards. It supports output resolutions of 480p, 480i, and 576i.

Controllers

The primary controller for the Wii is the Wii Remote, which uses motion sensing to detect movement in three dimensions. The Wii Remote can be used in conjunction with the Nunchuk accessory, which provides an analog stick and additional buttons. Other available controllers include the Classic Controller and the GameCube controller.

Connectivity

The Wii features built-in Wi-Fi for online connectivity and supports Bluetooth for communication with the Wii Remote. It also includes two USB 2.0 ports and can connect to the Internet via an Ethernet adapter.

Software

The Wii runs on the Wii system software, which includes a variety of built-in applications and channels. These channels provide access to different types of content, such as the Wii Shop Channel, where users could purchase and download games and applications.

Backward Compatibility

The Wii is backward compatible with most GameCube games and accessories. It includes four ports for GameCube controllers and two slots for GameCube memory cards.

Sales and Reception

The Wii was a commercial success, selling over 101 million units worldwide. It was praised for its innovative control scheme and broad appeal, though it was also criticized for its lower graphical capabilities compared to its competitors.

Successor

The Wii was succeeded by the Wii U, which was released in 2012. The Wii U introduced a new controller with an embedded touchscreen but was not as commercially successful as the Wii.

See Also

• Nintendo
• GameCube
• Wii U
• Xbox 360
• PlayStation 3

Related Pages

• List of Wii games
• WiiConnect24
• Wii Remote
• Nunchuk (controller)
• Classic Controller
• GameCube