Nintendo's
Wii video game system (pronounced "we") is designed
to attract people, regardless of their age or video
game experience, to sit down and play
together--whether they're in the same room or on
different sides of the globe. The system's name
reflects this simple idea. It's easily pronounced in
a variety of languages, and the distinctive spelling
suggests two players side by side. The two Wii
features Nintendo thinks will create new levels of
gaming community are built-in Wi-Fi access,
supported by a new online gaming service, and Wii's
intuitive, wireless, motion-sensitive game
controller.
As with every new console release, much of the buzz
surrounds the specs. The system boasts 512 MB of
internal flash memory, two USB 2.0 ports, and a slot
for SD memory expansion. Wii's technological heart
-- a processing chip developed with IBM and
code-named "Broadway" and a graphics chipset from
ATI code-named "Hollywood" -- are said to
deliver stunning performance. Instead of a tray, Wii
uses a single, self-loading media bay that will play
both 12-centimeter optical discs used for the new
system, as well as Nintendo GameCube discs.
The real revolution in this system, though, is its
controller, called the Wii Remote. Shaped like a TV
remote, it's been designed to be easily used by
beginners and pros alike. Sensors determine the Wii
Remote's position is in 3-D space, which means that
racing-game steering and a tennis swing, for
example, are done through movements of your hand
rather than by just your thumbs. What's more, a tiny
speaker built into the Wii Remote promises some
interactive surround sound experiences. The
controller also has a force feedback "Rumble"
feature and an expansion port for use with
accessories, such as the Nunchuck, which adds an
analog thumbstick and trigger buttons. An adapter
that fits over the Wii's wee remote will be
available for those who prefer the feel of a
traditional controller. The Wii Remote communicates
via the Bluetooth wireless standard. Up to four
remotes can connect to Wii.
Wii
also offers superb backward compatibility -- the
cornerstone of Nintendo's all-access approach. This
new console will play fan-favorite games from
Nintendo's 20-year-old library. The drive is
compatible with GameCube discs, and select Nintendo
titles from the original NES of the 1980s all the
way through the Nintendo 64 will be available
through for download through the "Virtual Console"
for $5 and $10 respectively.
As if that weren't enough, the Virtual Console will
also make available a few titles from SNES console
contemporaries, Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx 16.
A number of Wi-Fi-enabled titles are in development
that will employ Nintendo's newly-announced wireless
gaming service, WiiConnect24. This worldwide network
promises Nintendo players a comfortable, inviting
environment in which they can gather and compete.
The always-on network will deliver game updates and
surprises, even when the Wii is powered down. And as
you would expect, Wii will be able to communicate
with the Nintendo DS mobile gaming system
wirelessly. |
