The Wii ( / w iː / WEE ) is a home video game console created and sold by Nintendo. It was released on November 19, 2006, in North America, and in December 2006 in most other parts of the world. It is Nintendo’s fifth major home game console, following the GameCube, and is part of the seventh generation of consoles, along with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3.
Nintendo’s president, Satoru Iwata, aimed to attract a wider audience by focusing on creative gameplay rather than competing with Microsoft and Sony on computer power. Shigeru Miyamoto and Genyo Takeda led the development of the console, which was first called Revolution. The Wii introduced new ways to interact with games, especially through its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which used motion-tracking technology to detect gestures and act as a pointing device. It was Nintendo’s first console with built-in internet access, allowing online gaming and digital downloads through the Wii Shop Channel. The console also supported wireless connections with the Nintendo DS handheld for certain games. Early models could play games and accessories from the GameCube. Later, Nintendo released cheaper versions: the RVL-101, which did not support GameCube games, and the Wii Mini, which removed features like online connectivity and SD card storage.
Because Nintendo focused less on computer power, the Wii and its games were cheaper to make than those of its competitors. It was very popular when it first came out, and there were not enough units for everyone. The included game Wii Sports became the console’s most successful feature, while new games in the Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and Metroid series helped increase its popularity. Within one year, the Wii became the best-selling console of the seventh generation and a social trend in many countries. It sold over 101 million units in total, making it Nintendo’s most popular home console until the Nintendo Switch surpassed it in 2021. As of 2025, it is the seventh-best-selling console ever made.
The Wii helped position Nintendo as a major player in the video game console market. The success of motion-controlled games inspired Microsoft and Sony to create the Kinect and PlayStation Move. The Wii achieved Nintendo’s goal of drawing a broader audience to video games, but it also upset some long-time gamers. To attract these players again, Nintendo released the Wii U in 2012, which did not succeed. The Wii was stopped from being sold in October 2013, though the Wii Mini continued to be made for a few years. Some online services for the Wii remained available until 2019.
History
After the GameCube was released, Nintendo started planning its next console. According to game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo decided not to focus on making the most powerful hardware but instead on creating new and exciting ways to play games. The project was first called "GameCube Next" (GCNext or GCN). Nintendo planned to sell the console for about US$100 (which would be $182 in 2025).
On September 24, 2001, Nintendo partnered with Gyration Inc., a company that owned patents for motion-sensing technology, to create prototypes for motion-based controllers using Gyration’s inventions.
In May 2002, Satoru Iwata became Nintendo’s president after Hiroshi Yamauchi left. Iwata noted that Nintendo had fallen behind in areas like online gaming and wanted to create hardware and games that would appeal to people of all ages. Research showed that Nintendo’s earlier focus on unique hardware made it harder for other game developers to support its platforms, weakening its position in the market. Iwata’s first major effort was developing the Nintendo DS, a handheld console with two screens and a touchscreen, to improve Nintendo’s handheld lineup.
In 2003, Iwata met with Miyamoto and Genyo Takeda to discuss Nintendo’s strategy. Iwata told Takeda to "go off the tech roadmap" when designing the new console, emphasizing that it should be easy to use, especially for people who were not traditional gamers, like mothers. He also wanted the console to be backward compatible with older Nintendo games to reduce clutter. Takeda led hardware development, while Miyamoto designed a new controller using Gyration’s motion-sensing technology. Iwata believed motion controls could simplify the gaming experience and attract more players. A prototype was completed in six months.
The Nintendo DS influenced the design of the new console. Nintendo noticed that the DS’s dual-screen interface had drawn in new players and wanted to copy that success on its home console. Designer Ken'ichiro Ashida said, "We had the DS on our minds as we worked on the Wii. We thought about copying the DS’s touch-panel interface and even made a prototype." This idea was later abandoned to avoid making the two systems too similar. Miyamoto later said, "If the DS had failed, we might have had to rethink the Wii."
At E3 2004, Iwata shared details about the project under its new name, "Revolution," which reflected his belief that the console would change the gaming industry. BBC News’ technology editor Alfred Hermida noted that Nintendo’s challenge to compete with Sony and Microsoft made success critical.
The console, still called "Revolution," was officially shown to the public at E3 in May 2005. At this time, the motion controller was not finalized and was not included in the presentation. Iwata held up the console with one hand to show its size compared to competitors. The smaller size helped it use less power and produce less heat, and its simple design was thought to appeal to parents who might be more likely to let it sit in the living room. The console’s look was compared to Apple’s original iPod. Iwata used three stacked DVD cases as a reference for the final size. The prototype shown was black, but the final retail version, released the next year, was only available in white.
In September 2005, Iwata demonstrated a prototype of the controller at the Tokyo Game Show. By this time, the hardware closely resembled the final Wii Remote and Nunchuk. During the presentation, Iwata showed the controller’s motion-sensing abilities and played a video with comments from developers like Hideo Kojima and Yuji Horii, who had tested the controller and believed it would attract players.
The console’s official name, "Wii," was announced in April 2006, a month before E3 2006. The name, with two lowercase "i"s, was meant to represent two people standing together and the pairing of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. Nintendo explained that "Wii" sounds like "we," showing the console was for everyone. The name was easy to remember in all languages and avoided confusion.
The name caused some criticism. Forbes reported that some fans worried it would reinforce the idea that Nintendo made consoles only for children. BBC News noted that many jokes about the name appeared online after it was announced. Some developers and journalists preferred the earlier name "Revolution." Reggie Fils-Aimé, president of Nintendo of America, defended the name, saying they chose it because it was short, unique, and easy to pronounce in many languages.
The Wii was shown to the press at E3 2006, where Nintendo also revealed planned launch games. At the event, the company confirmed it would release the console by the end of 2006.
In September 2006, Nintendo announced the Wii’s launch plans and prices. The console launched in the United States on November 19, 2006, priced at US$249.99 (equivalent to $399.25 in 2025). Other regions followed: Japan on December 2, priced at ¥25,000 (equivalent to ¥28,401 in 2024); Australasia on December 7, priced at A$399.95 (equivalent to $592.54 in 2022); the United Kingdom on December 8, priced at £179.99 (equivalent to £311.06 in 2025); and most of Europe at €249.99. Nintendo planned to have about 30 games ready by the end of 2006 and expected to ship over 4 million consoles that year.
As part of its launch, Nintendo promoted the Wii in North America through TV ads directed by Academy Award winner Stephen Gaghan. The campaign used slogans like "Wii would like to play" and "Experience a new way to play." Launched in November 2006, the campaign cost over $200 million for the year.
The ads targeted a wider audience, including parents and grandparents, to attract more people than competitors in the seventh generation of consoles. In December 2006, Iwata said Nintendo did not see itself as fighting Sony but instead focused on expanding the gaming audience. This strategy worked, and the Wii
Hardware
Nintendo decided not to make its console faster than its competitors. Instead of using special parts made just for the Wii, Nintendo used ready-made hardware from other companies. This choice helped lower the cost of making the console, allowing Nintendo to sell it for less money. As Miyamoto said, "I wanted a console that cost $100. I thought spending nothing on the technology would let us focus on improving the interface and software."
The Wii's main processor, called Broadway, is a 32-bit chip made by IBM. It uses the same PowerPC design as the GameCube's Gekko processor but runs faster at 729 MHz. It was made with a more efficient 90 nm process, which uses about 20% less power than the Gekko's 180 nm process. Other tasks are handled by Hollywood, a chip made by ATI that combines graphics, audio, and input/output functions. Its GPU is an improved version of the GameCube's Flipper, running at 243 MHz and 1.5 times faster than the Flipper. It has 3 MB of memory for textures. Another part, Starlet, is an ARM-based chip that manages input/output and security. Hollywood has 24 MB of fast memory and works with 64 MB of GDDR3 memory on the motherboard, totaling 88 MB. The Wii was about 1.5 to 2 times more powerful than the GameCube but was the weakest among major consoles of its time.
The Wii's motherboard includes a WiFi module for wireless internet and a Bluetooth module for connecting to controllers. A USB adapter can also connect the console to a wired internet network.
Games are read from a slot-loading drive that works with Nintendo's special 12 cm Wii discs and 8 cm GameCube discs. It does not support standard DVDs or CDs. Nintendo planned to add DVD support later but delayed it due to high demand for the console. They later said most people already had devices that could play DVDs, so they avoided the cost of licensing DVD technology. The drive's LED lights show activity, like pulsing blue when receiving messages or reading a disc.
The system has 512 MB of internal memory for saving data and downloaded content. This can be expanded using SD cards inserted into a slot on the front. A later update allowed users to play games directly from SD cards.
The back of the console has video and power ports, plus two USB ports. When placed vertically, the top panel shows four GameCube controller ports and two memory card slots.
At launch, the Wii was the smallest home console from Nintendo. It measured 44 mm wide, 157 mm tall, and 215.4 mm deep in vertical position, slightly larger than three stacked DVD cases. It could be used horizontally or vertically. The included stand for vertical use is 55.4 mm wide, 44 mm tall, and 225.6 mm deep. The Wii weighed 1.2 kilograms, making it the lightest of the three major seventh-generation consoles.
The Wii Remote is the main controller. It has a motion sensor and infrared sensors at the end. The motion sensor detects how the remote is moved, translating that into game actions. For example, in the game Wii Sports, players can bowl by moving the remote, and the sensor tracks their arm movement. The infrared sensors work with the Sensor Bar, placed near the TV, to track the remote's position. This allows the remote to act like a mouse on the screen, with a detection range of about 15 feet.
The remote has buttons, a directional pad, and a power switch. It connects to the console via Bluetooth, with a range of about 30 feet. It has a speaker and a rumble pack for feedback. Up to four remotes can connect, with LEDs showing their numbers. The remote uses batteries, and the LEDs also show battery life.
A wrist strap is included to prevent the remote from falling. Nintendo replaced the original straps in 2006 with stronger ones after legal issues. In 2007, they added a silicone jacket to improve grip.
Accessories connect to a port on the remote. The Nunchuk, a handheld unit with an accelerometer and analog stick, connects via a 4-foot cable. Players use both the remote and Nunchuk in different hands for games.
The MotionPlus accessory adds gyroscopes to the remote for better motion detection. It was released in 2009 and later included in the Wii Remote Plus in 2010. Third-party remotes were less accurate than Nintendo's.
The Classic Controller, released in 2006, has a design similar to older gamepads, with a d-pad, buttons, and shoulder triggers. It connects to the Wii and is used for games that require traditional controls.
Software
The console has many features that come from its hardware and firmware parts. The hardware allows for expansion through ports, while the firmware and some software can receive updates through the WiiConnect24 service.
The development of the Wii Menu, the main user interface for the Wii, was led by Takashi Aoyama from Nintendo's Integrated Research & Development Division. The project, called the "Console Feature Realization Project," aimed to determine what the Wii interface could display while running on a low-power setting all day long. Testing showed that regularly updated weather and news reports made sense, leading to the idea of showing these like a row of TVs in a store, each showing a different channel. This became the "channels" concept. A user can select any channel window to bring it to the front, whether to launch a game, use an application, or view more information. For example, the Forecast Channel shows a short summary of local weather, and clicking on the channel opens an interactive globe that users can explore with the Wii Remote.
The Wii launched with six channels: the Disc Channel, used to play Wii and GameCube games from a disc; the Mii Channel, used to create Mii avatars; the Photo Channel, used to view and edit photos on an SD card; the Wii Shop Channel, used to buy games and apps; the Forecast Channel, and the News Channel. In addition to these default channels, users could add new ones through system updates, downloads from the Wii Shop Channel, or by games themselves. Later, Nintendo added free channels like the Internet Channel, a version of the Opera web browser for the Wii that supports USB keyboards and Adobe Flash Player.
The Wii Menu channels include music composed by video game composer Kazumi Totaka.
The Wii introduced player-customized avatars called Miis, which Nintendo continued to use in the Wii U, the Nintendo 3DS family, and the Nintendo Switch. Each player was encouraged to create a Mii through the Mii Channel to use in games like Wii Sports and other system software. For example, players would choose their Mii in Wii Sports to create their in-game character. Miis could be shared with other players through the Mii Channel.
The Wii system connects wirelessly with the Nintendo DS without extra accessories. This allows players to use the DS microphone and touchscreen as inputs for Wii games. The first game to use this feature was Pokémon Battle Revolution. Players with Pokémon Diamond or Pearl DS games could use the DS as a controller. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, released for both the DS and Wii, allowed both versions to play together. Nintendo later added the Nintendo Channel, which let Wii users download game demos or data for their DS, similar to a DS Download Station. The console could also expand DS games.
The Wii connects to the Internet using its built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi or a USB-to-Ethernet adapter. Both methods allow access to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, which includes features like Virtual Console, WiiConnect24, the Internet Channel, Forecast Channel, Everybody Votes Channel, News Channel, and Check Mii Out Channel. The Wii can also connect with other Wii systems through a self-generated wireless LAN, enabling local multiplayer on different TVs. Battalion Wars 2 first showed this feature for non-split-screen multiplayer between two or more TVs.
Third-party media apps were added to the Wii's online channels, usually as free downloads but requiring logins for paid services. These included BBC iPlayer (2009), Netflix (2010), Hulu (2012), YouTube (2012), Amazon Prime Video (2013), and Crunchyroll (2015). In 2017, YouTube stopped supporting its Wii channel, and in 2019, Nintendo ended support for all streaming services on the Wii.
The console includes parental controls that can block younger users from playing games with content unsuitable for their age. When a user tries to play a Wii or Virtual Console game, the system checks the game's content rating. If the rating is higher than the set age limit, the game will not load without a password. Parental controls can also restrict Internet access, blocking the Internet Channel and system updates. Since the console uses GameCube functionality for GameCube discs, GameCube software is not affected by Wii parental controls.
The Wii also tracks the total playtime for any game or app on the system. While Nintendo did not use a user profile system, it kept a cumulative playtime tracker that cannot be changed. This helps parents review how much time children spend using the Wii.
Games
Retail copies of games for the Wii are provided on special discs similar to DVDs. These discs come in protective cases with instructions. In Europe, the game boxes have a triangle on the bottom corner of the paper sleeve. The triangle uses different colors to show which region the game is for and which languages are included in the manual. The Wii console uses a feature called regional lockout, meaning games from one region can only be played on consoles from that same region.
Twenty-one games were planned for release on launch day in North and South America, with twelve more games set to be released later in 2006. Some games available worldwide on launch day included Wii Sports, which came with all Wii packages except in Japan and South Korea; The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess; Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz by Sega; and Red Steel by Ubisoft. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption was originally planned for launch but was delayed to 2007. Super Smash Bros. Brawl was also planned for launch, but its creator, Masahiro Sakurai, said the game needed more time to work with the Wii’s motion controls.
New Wii games included titles from Nintendo’s popular series, such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Pokémon, and Metroid. Nintendo received support from companies like Ubisoft, Sega, Square Enix, Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, and Capcom. More games were being developed for the Wii than for the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. Nintendo also released the New Play Control! line, which included updated versions of GameCube games that used the Wii’s motion controls.
Original Wii consoles could play all GameCube games, memory cards, and controllers, except for those made in South Korea. When using backward compatibility, the Wii could only access GameCube features, and a GameCube controller was needed to play. The Wii lacks an expansion port, so devices that require it, such as the GameCube Broadband Adapter, Modem Adapter, and Game Boy Player, do not work. Later models of the Wii and the Wii Mini did not support backward compatibility with GameCube games.
The Virtual Console service let Wii owners play games from older Nintendo systems, including the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Nintendo 64. Later updates added games from other systems, such as the Sega Genesis, NEC TurboGrafx-16, SNK Neo Geo, Commodore 64, MSX (only in Japan), and arcade games. These games were downloaded through the Wii Shop Channel over the internet and stored on the Wii’s internal memory or an SD card. Once downloaded, Virtual Console games could be accessed from the Wii Menu or an SD card.
WiiWare was Nintendo’s way of offering games for purchase online, similar to services like Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. Players could buy games through the Wii Shop and download them directly to their console. WiiWare aimed to help smaller game developers by allowing them to create and sell games without needing to go through traditional retail methods. The WiiWare channel launched on March 25, 2008, and remained active until the Wii Shop Channel was closed in 2019.
Reception
The system was well received after its exhibition at E3 2006, winning the Game Critics Awards for Best of Show and Best Hardware. In December, Popular Science named the console a Grand Award Winner in home entertainment. The game won multiple awards, including Spike TV's Video Games Award, a Golden Joystick from the Golden Joystick Awards, and an Emmy Award for game controller innovation from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. IGN and The Guardian named the Wii the 10th greatest video game console of all time out of 25, and GameSpot chose the console as having the best hardware in its "Best and Worst 2006" awards.
The Wii was praised for its simple yet responsive controls and its design, which appealed to a wide range of people. Dan Grabham of Tech Radar said the system's simple mechanics made it easy for people of all ages to use, including grandparents. He also noted that the system carried over content from the GameCube. CNET said the setup process was easy, and the home screen was simple to navigate. Will Wright, the creator of The Sims, called the Wii "the only next gen system I've seen" and said the PS3 and Xbox 360 were only slightly better. He believed the Wii reached a different group of players than the other systems. Reviewers liked the compact design, with Ars Technica comparing it to an Apple product.
By 2008, two years after the Wii's release, Nintendo acknowledged some challenges with the system, such as the idea that it was mainly for casual players and not popular with more experienced gamers. Miyamoto admitted that the lack of support for high-definition video and limited network features made the Wii different from its competitors, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Miyamoto explained that in 2006, few homes had HDTVs, so Nintendo did not include HD graphics at first. In 2013, Miyamoto said he wished the Wii had HD graphics from the start.
Critics also pointed out issues with the Wii Remote and hardware. Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot said the controller's speaker had poor sound quality. Julian Eggebrecht of Factor 5 said the console had weaker audio and graphics. Free Radical Design said the Wii lacked the power to run games planned for other systems. IGN's Matt Casamassina said the online features were confusing, like those on the Nintendo DS.
The Wii Mini was praised for being affordable and including a Wii Remote, Nunchuk, and a copy of Mario Kart Wii. However, it was considered less advanced than the original console. Critics noted the lack of online play and backward compatibility with GameCube games. Some said the design was too large and had bright red plastic that made it stand out. Others thought the lightweight build felt less durable. CNET said the pop-open lid for inserting disks felt cheap.
The Wii's success surprised third-party developers because of the system's limitations. Some companies apologized for the quality of their early games. Ubisoft's leaders admitted they rushed their launch game and promised better future projects. An executive from Frontline Studios said major publishers were hesitant to make exclusive games for the Wii because of weak consumer support. Jeremy Parish of 1UP.com said Nintendo was his biggest disappointment in 2007, noting that third-party games were of lower quality than earlier systems.
Some companies avoided making games for the Wii because Nintendo's first-party games were too successful. Rod Cousens of Codemasters said sales on the Wii were slow. A Japanese newspaper said companies were nervous about making games for the console, thinking it was a temporary trend. Nintendo believed it understood the Wii's features best and had developed games for it before its release.
By 2010, sales of the Wii began to decline. Capcom reduced the number of games it made for the system, focusing on fewer but higher-quality titles. Sony said many developers shifted their focus to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Wii sales reached 50 million units by March 2009. Nintendo lowered the price of the console in September 2009, reducing the cost from $249.99 to $199.99. This followed similar price cuts by Sony and Microsoft. In 2009, the Wii became Nintendo's best-selling console, with sales exceeding 67 million units.
In 2010, Wii sales dropped by 21 percent compared to the previous year.
Legacy
The Wii was Nintendo’s way to stand out from its competitors, Sony and Microsoft, by offering something different. This strategy, called a "blue ocean" approach, helped the Wii become a successful console. While Sony and Microsoft focused on making their consoles faster and better at graphics, Nintendo worked on creating a console that allowed players to interact with games in new and fun ways. This helped the Wii sell more units than its competitors during that time. However, Nintendo did not follow the same strategy when it made the Wii U, as Sony and Microsoft had already added similar features. This may have contributed to the Wii U selling fewer units.
Part of the Wii’s success was because it was cheaper than other consoles. While Sony and Microsoft sold their consoles at a loss, hoping to make money from selling games later, Nintendo kept production costs low, which allowed them to make a profit on each Wii sold. In 2007, Nintendo made between $13 and $74 in profit per Wii sold in different regions. The Wii launched at $249.99, which was cheaper than the Xbox 360 ($299 to $399) and the PlayStation 3 ($499 to $599). Nintendo also sold its first-party games for $50, which was $10 less than the average price for games on other consoles. This was possible because the Wii did not focus on high-quality graphics, which made game development less expensive, averaging about $5 million per game compared to $20 million for other consoles.
The Wii was promoted as a way to encourage physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. It has been used in medical settings to help people recover from conditions like stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, and balance issues. However, studies in 2016 found that the risks of injuries from using the Wii for therapy, such as falls, were not well understood. A study in the British Medical Journal found that playing Wii games used more energy than playing sedentary computer games, but it was not a substitute for regular exercise. Some players experienced minor injuries, like "Wiiitis" or "Wii elbow," but these were rare and usually mild.
In 2010, Nintendo donated $1.5 million to the American Heart Association, which endorsed the Wii with a special icon on the console and two of its games, Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort.
After the Wii was discontinued, it became popular for homebrewing, which is when people create new software or add features to the console. For example, some homebrew projects allowed the Wii to play DVDs without modifications. The console can also be hacked using software to do things not intended by Nintendo, such as using modchips.
The Wii Remote was also widely used for hacking. Because it used Bluetooth technology, programmers could study how it worked and create tools for other devices. Some people even took apart the Wii Remote and Sensor Bar to build new devices, like digital whiteboards or head-tracking systems for virtual reality.
The Wii was also used for emulation, which is when games from other systems are played on the Wii. While creating emulators legally is allowed, sharing Wii software and games on other systems has been controversial. Nintendo has taken legal action against people who distribute copies of its software. However, the open-source Dolphin project successfully created emulators for the Wii and GameCube without using Nintendo’s software.
Joe Skrebels of IGN said the Wii’s most lasting legacy is the music composed by Totaka for the console. He noted that even though features like motion controls and balance boards have been removed, Totaka’s music is still widely used in videos and memes online. The Mii Channel and Wii Shop Channel themes have also inspired jazz covers and are considered cultural landmarks.