Thumbs Up:

The revolutionary design of game controller offers motion sensor gaming experience. Inbuilt Wi-Fi delivers free online game play and other services. Virtual Console has the best appeal. The Wii console is completely compatible with GameCube, its games and controllers. You will get inbuilt SD memory card slot for photo viewing and storage. Nintendo Wii has inbuilt Wii Sports game and it is best budget-friendly game console.

Thumbs Down:

The controller set discharges the batteries and needs some time for charging. The online community and gaming facilities are locked by “friends code”. You have to pay additionally for nunchuk controller. Nintendo Wii does not have latest surround sound and HD graphics, unlike the PS3 and the Xbox360. Need to place wired receiver near the TV for connecting with wireless controller. Unable to play DVDs and CDs.

The Whiz Kid Speaks:

Nintendo Wii is a game console which is powered by IBM PowerPC RISC processor and 512MB RAM. The video graphics card is ATI Hollywood. Input devices are remote control and joystick, which can be connected both wireless and wired. Both of them features inbuilt speakers rumble feedback and motion sensor.

The media type supported is Nintendo Wii and GameCube discs. The connectors of Nintendo Wii are: 2×USB, S-video output, Composite video output, Component video output, 4×game controllers and 4 pin USB Type A.

Nintendo Wii has one SD memory card slot and 2×Nitendo GameCube Memory card slots. Accessories supplied inside the package include composite A/V cable, nunchuk, power adapter, cradle, sensor bar, wireless controller and adapter and Wii Sports.

Razzle Dazzle:

Nintendo Wii is 1.75 inches tall, 6.25 inches wide and 8.5 inches thick and it weighs around 3.84 lbs. Its overall weight and measurement are like DVD players. Its initial mode is only available in bright white like that of iPod. The Wii console comes with a kickstand that can be used to stand the console either vertically or horizontally.

Inside Dope:

You will also agree that the new – Nintendo Wii is still the best selling gaming consoles for current generation. The company also knows that it has adventured off the crushed runway by launching its flagship model. Now, Sony PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are available at almost the same prices. Seeing that, the Nintendo has announced to drop off the cost up to $199.99, which is same for basic Microsoft Xbox 360 Arcade.

There are some drawbacks in graphics area on this new game console, whereas both Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 accent their most liked graphics. However, it is normal as the Wii console is not a graphic power house. When Microsoft and Sony continue to use brand names and game pads containing directional pad, control stick and conventional buttons like their predecessors. On the contrary side, the Nintendo has oddly named its new player as Wii replacing previous name – GameCube. Moreover, the Wii console has game pad looking like TV remote. It will be noteworthy that Nintendo has added Wii MotionPlus to the arsenal of its Wii game console, which provides accurate motion control.

The drawbacks of adding new controller setup, odd name for console and poor power processing are some hits for the Nintendo Wii. Due to its day by day increasing popularity, it will be less available on the stores because it delivers different and strange motion sense gaming experience. Yes, it is not so powerful like others, but fun to play and enjoy.

Nintendo Wii comes with composite video/audio cables, but it does not supply HDMI cables. You have to purchase the HDMI cable separately for better HD video experience. Like Sony PS3, Nintendo Wii has a slot mechanism to accept Wii and GameCube discs without using any adapter.

Nintendo Wii has 512MB internal memory for storing Virtual Console titles, saved games and other data. It also has Secure Digital (SD) card slot for external storage that supports up to 2GB. Nintendo also released an update that allows Virtual Console and WiiWare games to directly play from SD card. We would prefer the manufacturer to increase the supported storage capacity of SD cards.

Nintendo Wii comes with Wii Sports that uses wireless controller as sporting input that allows us to mock-throw and swing for playing boxing, bowling, golf, tennis and baseball. This motion sense supports four players at once. Wii Sports seems a complete collection of five small games and provides fun play.

Nintendo Wii is very easy to setup with TV due to its simple design. The back panel has five ports: two USB ports, one sensor bar socket, one proprietary A/V port and power jack. You can simply plug the sensor bar and stand it on the top of TV. It is very easy to plug one end of video cable at back panel and other into TV. Now, you just have to plug the power adapter for starting the exciting gaming experience.

After setting up the hardware, you can power on Nintendo Wii and it will guide you through software setup wizard. For Wi-Fi connection setup, you will need encrypted code of local Wi-Fi connection. If you do not have any Wi-Fi wizard, then you can use the USB ports for network connection. The company is also saying to provide Ethernet adapter based on USB ports.

You have to perform the network (Wi-Fi) setup to access the WiiConnect24 service. It will allow downloading automatic updates, some gaming contents and even news and weather. Any new update or Nintendo’s message will indicate the blue light from disc slot. You can disable this notification in Preferences menu.

Nintendo Wii provides you the navigation through Wii Channels. The default channels include Mii channel, photo channel, message channel, news channel and weather forecast. Channel home page works as default gateway that provides access to games on discs and titles on Virtual consoles.

Mi Channel will allow creating your cartoon avatars, which you can also use on Wii Sports as player and on Message Channel. It is very easy to create and takes 6KB of storage. It allows you to create only 10 Mii avatars and use them on your friends Wii as well.

Photo Channel can show and edit pictures. The manufacturer claims that Nintendo Wii can be used to play MP3 music and QuickTime videos. The MP3 files only played during slideshow and we were not able to load QuickTime movie on the game console. You can load 1000 photos at a SD card and browse them individually in album view or in slideshow. It also has basic image editor.

Nintendo Wii cannot play video DVDs and audio CDs. The game console also does not have any inbuilt hard disk drive. As per the company, this omission was to low down the price. It also does not seem that manufacturer will bring any update on these issues.

The online facilities of Nintendo Wii has some online “Channels” that offers alternative to computer based Internet browsing. Moreover, you can send invitations to join other Wii console owners. After accepting, both of you can interact through Message Channel. However, this system is a bit difficult as compared to the Xbox Live. Nintendo also provides non-gaming applications like Internet Channel, Forecast and News channels.

You can use the Forecast Channel to get detailed weather report about any location. Functions of News Channel are same as that of Forecast Channel. This News Channel downloads stories from AP wire service. These stories come with accompanying photos and map of that particular location. The news is organized into different sections such as sports regional, international and national.

Nintendo Wii has Opera based browser in its Internet Channel. You can enter the URL from onscreen keyboard via Wiimote. It can load everything like Flash loaded YouTube, Hullu.com etc. You can zoom in and zoom out the Web pages. However, you have to pay for the downloading. Nintendo had recently added the USB keyboard support in the game console. So, you can use the keyboard as well for better browsing experience.

Virtual Console of Nintendo Wii offers a lot of online contents, but these downloadable titles are classic video games from past generations. It originally supports Turbografix-16, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, SNES and NES titles. Recently, the company had extended to access Neo-Geo titles. We appreciated the Nintendo to add new titles on every Monday.

You can easily shop and download games easily via Virtual Console. However, these games are purchased only through Wii points. You can use credit card to purchase the Wii points through Wii Shop or purchase these points from a major retailers. Moreover, if you have a Wii Points card then you can use it after entering its code. Downloaded Virtual Console games will be stored in SD card and appear as separate channels. As these games have inbuilt Wii network ID, so you cannot play them on your friend’s Wii console. More to your will, the company allows to download already purchased games if you loose your data or console. The purchasing system seems like Xbox Live one.

Virtual Console games of Nintendo Wii are similar to their respective original versions. Most of the classic gamers will enjoy it, but casual players might hope for better graphics. In addition, if you play the old school games on wide screen then it will look stretched. For resolving this problem, Nintendo has released a new firmware update.

Wii Sports on Nintendo Wii has inbuilt tutorial that works like starter guide. For setting up the wireless connection and controller, you have to put the sensor bar on top or at bottom of the TV. The sensor bar is very small and has light plastic with rectangle size. You have to connect this sensor bar using cable with back panel of the game console. Moreover, you can purchase separate Nyko Wireless Sensor Bar that works without wire.

There are inbuilt accelerometers inside the remote sense. It will control each action like swings in golf club and baseball bat. Wiimote is enough lightweight to result your small movements and controls. For better experience, it provides the audio and tactile feedback on your actions.

Wiimote also uses infrared sensors for determining the orientation of remote with regards to television. A collection of IR diodes with sensor bar serves as pointer for menu navigation and game control. After some practice, it will feel more natural than any analog stick. Moreover, it worked better than other traditional game console controllers.

You will also get a nunchuk device with Nintendo Wii, which can be plugged into Wiimote. You will found one analog stick as well as two buttons on it. It enhances the Wiimote functions almost in every game. This attachment also has motion sensors, so you can shake it and rock it for some actions. The manufacturer launched Zapper in the November 2009. You can use this plastic enclosure to club both nunchuk and remote for using as enclosure. The manufacturer will also launch some games to use this combination.

Wiimote uses AA batteries to supply the power to rumble module, speaker, Bluetooth radio, IR sensors, accelerometers, nunchuk and any other attachments.  Nintendo Wii does not come with any charger. So, you have to go for any third-party solution like Nyko Wii Charge Station. The company had also launched Wii MotionPlus attachment for better accuracy and motion control.

The biggest and most apparent appeal of Nintendo Wii is its motion sensor control for playing some specific games. The new releases of Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Wii Sports as well as various third-party traditional titles. The Wii console is also completely compatible to previous GameCube console and has four inbuilt controllers and memory card slots for GameCube.

The processing performance of Nintendo is not good, even though it is powered by Nitendo GameCube processor. While Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 have HD outputs of 1080p, the Wii only provides 480p output like GameCube. Some of the games still need to be optimized for wide screens. Wii also does not include latest surround sound and still sticking with Dolby Pro-Logic II matrix surround sound of GameCube. If you need an eye-candy game console and choose Xbox 360 or PS3, then you will have to extend your budget for highly expensive price tag.

Now, you have to make the decision whether you need Nintendo Wii or not. If you need next generation gaming console with HD graphics, Wii is not sufficient. The company does not focus to lead the market; it is only concerned about innovative and fun gaming in budget. Nintendo Wii has exciting virtual-cum-real controls and motion sensor – Wiimote and nunchuk. It also offers Virtual Consoles, Wii Channel, Internet capabilities and compatibility to GameCube.

Nitty Gritty:

Nintendo Wii does not have advanced surround sound and graphics features of Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360. If you cannot afford highly expensive game consoles from Sony and Microsoft; and like to have latest gaming experience in budget, then you can buy Nintendo Wii. We are sure that it will not disappoint you. It is also noteworthy that Nintendo will release several other updates for improving its gaming experience.

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