During its development, the Wii was known as Revolution. The company changed the name to Wii to coincide with its marketing plans for the console, which was first available for sale on November 19, 2006 . Nintendo states that Wii is more than just a regular game console, and claims that it is also a means of bringing friends and families together. The standard Wii game system from Nintendo includes the Wii Sports disc, Wii Console, Wii remote, Nunchuk, Wii Sensor Bar, Wii console stand, Wii alternating current adapter, and Wii audio-video cable.

Tennis, baseball, golf, bowling, and boxing are the games included in the Wii Sports disc. Using the Wii Remote allows you to copy the actions or movements in these games.

The Wii console is 1.73 in. wide, 6.18 in. tall, and 8.48 in. deep and weighs 2.7 lb. This makes the Wii the lightest console compared to the Xbox 360 and the Sony PlayStation 3. Consoles are currently available in white though a photo has been published online that shows consoles in silver, lime green, black, and red. Nintendo is reportedly working with California-based digital media company Sonic Solutions in developing a Wii console that can play digital versatile discs (DVD). The DVD-enabled console was supposed to be released in 2007. The company decided to delay the launch to increase its production efficiency of this version. In 2007, the demand for Wii is high enough for Nintendo to report a short supply of consoles to meet the holiday rush.

Most gamers refer to the Wii Remote as the Wiimote. This is the Wii’s main controller and it relies on motion sensing capabilities and optical sensor technology. By moving the Wiimote, you can control the characters or movements on screen. Unlike the controllers of other game consoles that are held with both hands, the Wii Remote is one-handed like television remote controls. The current Wii Remote (RVL-003) and is 5.83 in. long, 1.43 in. wide, and 1.21 in. thick. It is connected to the console via Bluetooth and can be used like a Nintendo Entertainment System controller or as a steering wheel. Changes to the remote’s design were announced at the Game Developer’s Conference at the 2006 E3 Media and Business Summit in the U.S. These included extending the controller’s length, adding a speaker, and replacing the Nintendo logo with that of Wii. Like the Wii console, the remote is currently available in white, but you can change the color by purchasing protective skins and replacement shells from third-party vendors. The Wiimote comes with a wrist strap to ensure that it does not slip from your grasp during gameplay. There were some complaints that the straps break easily. In the Wrist Strap Replacement Request Form available in its website, Nintendo provides a maximum of four free straps. To avail of the straps, you must provide the serial number of your Wii console and your shipping details. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also initiated a strap replacement program by distributing straps that measure 0.0.39 in. (diameter), as opposed to the old ones that measure 0.039 in. (diameter). Sometime in 2007, available wrist straps included lock clips.

Nunchuk (RVL-004) is a controller attachment of the Wii Remote. It was called nunchuk because of its resemblance to the nunchaku, a traditional weapon of the Okinawan martial arts in Japan. Unlike the Wii Remote, the nunchuk does not have a speaker and rumble and pointer functions. The nunchuk is 4.45 in. long, 1.5 in. wide, and 1.48 in. thick.

The Wii Sensor Bar (RVL-014) measures 8 in. in length. It has a total of ten infrared light-emitting diodes (five on each side), which the Wii Remote senses. The bar allows a 16 ft. pointing accuracy for the Wii Remote. The bar may be placed above or below the television. Presence of incandescent light bulbs or candles may result in Wii Remote detection problems.

The console stand, which allows vertical orientation of the Wii, is 2.18 in. wide, 1.73 in. tall, and 8.88 in. deep.

Technorati Tags: Video game consoles, video game systems, Wii game system, Wii console

If you are quick you can order your Wii Console for the retail price and get it with free shipping. Claims to ship in 1 business day.

Technorati Tags: Wii Console

Don’t forget to order your Wii Fit. This combo will make you the hero of mothers day.

If you still need more gifts for your mother, mother-in-law, or wife. Check out Jewelrymall’s mother day gift selection.

Add in Big Brain Academy and you will have a gift that will please your wife/mother and your self and your children.

Technorati Tags: Nintendo Wii Console, Super Smash Brothers Brawl, Wii Fit, mothers day, gifts, Big Brain Academy