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Nintendo Wii released

Sunday, November 19th, the Nintendo Wii was launched in the United States, marking the final seventh generation system to hit the market this year. While the famous Nintendo system did not enjoy the speculated million sales at launch due to variable stock in many stores, it was nonetheless greeted with similar excitement as the XBOX 360 and PS3.

The Wii released to gamers in a singular package, costing $250 USD. Containing the Wii, one Wiimote (including the sensor bar), one Nunchuck joystick attachment, as well as a copy of the free included game WiiSports, the system was purchased like crazy, some gamers lining up a week before to get their hands on the system.

Unlike the XBOX 360 or PS3, both systems with relatively expensive technological parts, the Wii released with a substantial amount of stock due to the cheap parts used in the system, many similar to the parts in Nintendo's last console, the Nintendo Gamecube.

The Nintendo Wii is unique in the industry in that it is primarily aimed at casual gamers rather than hardcore Nintendo fanatics. While the system does contain the ability to download old games for a fee (Ranging from $5-8), the system's advertising has primarily gone to getting anyone- from housewives to teenagers- in on the play. The system's operating system features a 512 MB flash memory storage system for calendars, rudimentary photo storage, as well as a "message board" and downloads from the Wii Store available online.

The Wii, while very popular in the gaming world, has also been subject to critique in the industry. As it is the last system to release before the holidays, many gamers are citing it as being a late comer, especially considering the lackluster graphics in comparison to the already mega hit XBOX 360 and the newly released Playstation 3. However, dedicated Nintendo fans have nonetheless already lined Nintendo's pockets, scarfing up every single Wii to hit shelves on Sunday.

Nintendo currently assures gamers that it will revitalize stocks of the Wii system in time for holidays, where it hopes to sell over a million copies worldwide. Such titles featured for the newly released system included the much awaited The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Red Steel, Excite Truck, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz, and Call of Duty 3- all costing approximately $50 USD. More in New Releases Browse all News