Wii

The Wii (pronounced as the pronoun "we," IPA: [wiÑžo]) is the fifth video game console released by Nintendo. The console was previously known by its project code name of Revolution, and is the successor to the Nintendo GameCube. Although Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3,[7] as part of the seventh generation of gaming consoles, it competes with both on some levels.

A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and can detect motion and rotation in three dimensions. Notable among the console's internal features is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while consuming very little electrical power.

Nintendo first mentioned the console at the 2004 E3 press conference and later unveiled the system at the 2005 E3. Satoru Iwata revealed a prototype of the controller at the September 2005 Tokyo Game Show.[8] In the 2006 E3, it won the first of several awards.[9] By December 8, 2006, the console completed its launch in four key markets.

On November 14, 2006, it was announced that 21 titles would be available on launch day in North America and South America, with another 12 games being released in the 2006 launch window for a total of 33.[15] Wii Sports is included with the console bundle in all regions excluding Japan. Despite the price point of US$60 quoted for many seventh generation games,[16] Wii games cost at most US$50 at major retail stores.

The console was known by the codename of "Revolution" until April 27, 2006, immediately prior to E3.[20] According to the Nintendo Style Guide, the name "is simply Wii, not Nintendo Wii." This means it is the first home console Nintendo has marketed outside of Japan without the company name featured prominently in its trademark. While "Wiis" is a commonly used pluralization of the console, Nintendo has stated that the official plural form is "Wii Systems" or "Wii Consoles."[21] Nintendo spells "Wii" with two lower-case "i"