Nintendo Wii Console
This year sees the launch of the much awaited new games console from Nintendo, the Wii,pronounced (we),due for release this November 2006 its sure to be a huge success with gamers the world over and will no dought be at the top of most Christmas shopping lists this year,Nintendo are planning to ship in excess of 6 million units to satisfy demand for the new games console so get your orders in early as its sure to be in short supply.The Wii breaks new ground over traditional games consoles with it wealth of innovative features,some of which I have listed below
Technical specifications
Nintendo has released very little detailed information at present concerning the technical specifications of the Wii console. Some details have however been released by Nintendo and other third parties involved with the console:
Processors:
IBM PowerPC processor Codenamed "Broadway" CPU
Made with a 90 nm SOI CMOS process
ATI "Hollywood" GPU
Memory:
Amount of RAM unconfirmed
512 MB built-in flash memory
Ports and Peripherals:
Two USB 2.0 ports
Support for up to 4 wireless Wii remote controllers
4 Nintendo GameCube controller ports
2 Nintendo GameCube memory card ports (for backward compatibility)
Optional USB 2.0 Ethernet LAN adaptor
Wii Sensor Bar port
Media:
Slot-loading disk drive compatible with:
12 cm Wii optical disk (single or dual layer)
8.0 cm GameCube optical disks
DVD Video (additional dongle required)
1 SD memory card slot
Built-in content ratings system:
PEGI 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+, 18+
ESRB EC, E, E10+, T, M, and AO
CERO All Ages, 12+, 15+ 18+
OFLC G, PG, M, MA15+
Networking
Wi-Fi by Broadcom
Video:
up to 480p[5] and will work with a computer monitor as well as any TV or projector.[6]
Component (Including Progressive Scan Mode), composite or S-video output
Audio:
Main audio output unknown
Single additional speaker located on each Wii Remote
Features
Backward compatibility
Nintendo has stated that Wii will be backward compatible with all GameCube software and most peripherals. The top of the console (or on the side if laid horizontally) is the GameCube docking station, featuring four GameCube controller ports and two memory card slots compatible with GameCube Memory Cards and the Nintendo GameCube Microphone. One notable component that seems incompatible is the Game Boy Player, which attaches to the bottom of the GameCube, and allows every type of Game Boy game except Game Boy Video cartriges to be played on the user's television. A way to play Game Boy games through the Wii console has yet to be mentioned by Nintendo.
Virtual Console
A variety of classic games are scheduled to be available (design subject to change)
One of the most anticipated features of Wii is its game download service, dubbed the "Virtual Console." Using this Virtual Console service, users will have the ability to download and play many or all Nintendo-produced games.
Games from the NES, Super NES, and Nintendo 64, as well as Mega Drive/Genesis and TurboGrafx 16 will be offered via the Virtual Console download service. While the entire catalogue of games for these machines will not be offered, a "best of" selection will be available at a price.
While the gameplay will be the same for all of the retro titles offered via the Virtual Console, Nintendo has stated that some of the games may be improved with sharper graphics or better framerates, with a possibility for Wii remote adaptation. The Virtual Console service will not be used exclusively for retro games, however. Nintendo has stated that "it also will be home to new games conceived by indie developers whose creativity is larger than their budgets."[2]
WiiConnect24
At E3 2006 Nintendo announced its Wii specific internet service entitled WiiConnect24, the service allows the user to remain connected to the internet even in standby mode. Additionally, Nintendo has partnered with Opera Software to provide the Opera web browser for the system.[7]
Parental controls
Wii will feature parental controls, prohibiting young viewers from viewing inappropriate content. This allows parents to set the age level of the system, and when a disk is inserted, it will read the content rating encoded on the game disks; if this rating is greater than the system's age level setting, the game will not load unless the user correctly enters a password to override the setting. For instance, a game carrying an ESRB rating of M for Mature, which is intended for those age 17 and older, will not play on a system that is set to only allow games rated T for Teen (ages 14 and older) or below.
It is confirmed that the European units will use the PEGI rating system[8], North American units will use the ESRB rating system[9], units for the Japanese market will presumably use the CERO rating system, German units will use the USK system, and Australian units will use the OFLC system.
Wii Community Forum , Connecting Wii Gamers online
http://www.wiigrid.com
