How Wii Systems have changed the gaming industry

Wii Systems started production in 2006 but the original designs were being developed in 2000. The aim of this new console was to transform the home gaming industry and harvest another hit console for Nintendo. Well the Wii did just that. In mid 2004 the general public caught their primary glimpse of the new device and consumers were excited by what they saw.

In Japan 2005 Nintendo gave a preview of the Wii remote to reveal the concept of the wireless control device. By the end of 2006 there was in huge demand and supplies were selling out of the console all over the globe. Nintendo couldn't make them fast enough. EBay saw people paying ten times the store price tag just to get their hands on the action.

Wii Systems were designed to provide entertainment for all the family and not just kids. This meant the audience for sales were widened but Nintendo had to put a reasonable cost on there machine so everyone could afford it. The family orientated console was also made so players became a part of what they were playing, hence the Wii remote. The wireless controller uses the engagements from the player which are transferred to the game to give a life like representation and feel to playing. More accessories were designed including the Wii board which became a must for the prevalent game Wii Sports.

Naming the machine wasn't easy for Nintendo and many options cropped up. The nearest contender was the name "Revolution", but in the end it was decided this would not be as universal as they wanted. They required a name that could be understood and pronounced in all languages and the name Wii does this. The word is made up and derives from the word "We", as the console is meant to provide entertainment for a group of people as well as one.

Many awards have been achieved from the Wii and it has sold over 50 million units worldwide at the time of writing. It also holds the title of being the most popular home gaming console and will most likely retain that as it has so much potential.