Nintendo Wii Tools

Channels

• The Wii Menu consists of dozens of empty slots that you can fill with channels that each have various functions. Two that come loaded on the console include the Photo Channel and Mii Channel. The former allows you to save and manipulate your photos on the Wii, while the latter lets you create avatars in your likeness or the likeness of friends or celebrities for use in certain Wii games. You can also download for free some useful channels such as the News Channel that provides Associated Press headlines and the Weather Channel that shows area and global forecasts.

Message Board

• You can access the message board by pressing a button at the bottom of the Wii Menu. It allows you to send and receive messages from friends whose console addresses you have saved on your Wii. This board also shows important announcements from Nintendo. Select the calendar to view message history.

Wii Settings

• Select "Wii Options" at the bottom left corner of the menu to access this tool. You can set the day and time, change screen settings and sound options, establish parental controls and connect the Wii to the Internet. (The system includes a feature called "WiiConnect24" that keeps the console connected to the Internet at all times to receive important information.) You can enter settings to check for any recent system updates as well.

Data Management

• Also located under "Wii Options," this section allows you to manipulate files on the console. Choose the "Channels" option to view all of the channels on the console. You can move or copy them to another storage device (such as an SD card) or just delete them to free up memory. Choose "Save Data" to do the same to game files located on your console.