The Puzzling of the Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii, first released at the end of 2006, was said to revolutionize the gaming industry. Why? It brought something to the gaming experience that had never been done before – motion control – and it appealed to a far broader audience than any of its rivals or predecessors ever had. Out of all games consoles past and present, the Wii has become known as the one console that’s just plain and simple fun!

Main Features of the Nintendo Wii

• 15 x 10 x 4.5 inch console,
• Sensor bar and wireless controls,
• Motion-sensitive input and buttons,
• Wii Sports game included,
• Compatible with Nintendo GameCube games and controllers,
• Built in Wi-Fi access,
• Built in channels for news, weather, photos and the Wii shop.

Pros of the Nintendo Wii

The revolutionary design of the Wii controllers mean that game play is based on motion-sensors. Where traditional games consoles were limited to ‘button pressing’, the Wii incorporates these standard controls alongside the ability to make gestures that can control the action in games – heightening the fun and making games more intuitive even for beginners.

On top of this hugely popular feature, the Wii is also one of the most affordable consoles available, and is playable right out of the box with the included Wii Sports game.

Cons of the Nintendo Wii

The main drawbacks of the Nintendo Wii relate to the fact that it doesn’t allow for the same level of graphics as its rivals, the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. It is also unable to play DVDs, like many of its rivals, and the controllers require new batteries on a regular basis.

Conclusion

With the Nintendo Wii, emphasis really is on the fun of games. The unique concept of the Wii, featuring motion sensitive controllers, means that even simple games, such as Wii Sports, are fun for the whole family – whether you’re a gaming geek or someone who is completely new to the world of gaming.

This helps to explain why, as of the end of 2009, the Nintendo Wii is still outselling its biggest rivals: Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. The Wii has also set a precedent for fitness games, that aim to make exercise more fun – such as the Wii Fit and EA Sports active. As of yet, the Wii is a tough act for any other manufacturer to follow.

If you’re not sure which console to buy, and want something that’s great to enjoy at parties as well as on your own, then the Nintendo Wii could be the right choice for you.