(U-Wire) AMERHERST, Mass – Get ready to share the next generation gaming love Xbox 360 fans, because the Nintendo Wii is coming to rock the world of gaming on Nov. 19, and yes, Wii will, Wii will, rock you.
The house that Mario built isn’t just releasing another gaming console that harnesses the power of the latest graphic and computing technology – it’s a revolution within the video gaming industry.
“Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else. Wii will put people more in touch with their games … and each other.” Nintendo stated in an announcement back in April on IGN.com.
The Wii doesn’t herald the most advanced graphic and processing technology – in fact it is not much more advanced technically than their current system, the Nintendo Gamecube. But don’t let that stop you from looking into Nintendo’s new system, because it is revolutionary in other ways. The Wii features a brand new controller that, oddly enough, resembles an ordinary remote control. The “Wii-mote” controller acts very similarly to a remote control, but with added motion detection hardware to judge movement, tilt, pitch, and depth. Such a controller can actually allow players to be in the game, much like “Dance Dance Revolution” with its dance pad. The possibilities with this controller are endless.
The Wii also features online capability with what Nintendo calls WiiConnect 24. WiiConnect 24 allows the Wii to connect to the Internet via a Wi-Fi connection, much like the Nintendo DS. The online capability allows users to not only connect to games online, but power features such as a news, weather and Wii Shop “Channels.” The Opera web browser is also available for use on Nintendo’s Wii, allowing for web surfing.
One of the most touted reasons for the Nintendo Wii to go online is for the Virtual Console Channel, a way to download retro Nintendo games from the Nintendo 64 era back down to the NES and play them all on one system. Not only does the Virtual Console Channel house retro Nintendo games, but SEGA has announced its support allowing for Genesis games to be available for download. Prices of games range from $5 to $19.99 depending on the system the game is found on.
That’s enough about the features of the Wii – time to get down to the games! Nintendo definitely hasn’t skimped on the software, having announced over 20 new games that will be released on launch day. Anticipated first person shooter “Red Steel,” motion controlled racing game “Excite Truck,” the strange but amusing “Rayman: Raving Rabbids,” and a redesigned “Madden ’07” will all be available on Nov. 19 alongside games such as “Call of Duty 3” and “Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz.” Even with those outstanding titles, the sure-fire hit of the launch will undoubtedly be “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess,” which has already been hailed as the “best Zelda ever” by industry insiders.
The price point of the Wii, at $249.99, makes it the least expensive next-gen console available this holiday season. Included in the Wii package is the Wii console, a single “Wii-mote” controller, and a copy of the “Wii Sports” game.

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