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Strengths of the Wii

If you're considering buying a Nintendo Wii over the other two current-generation systems presently on the market, you wouldn't be the only one. Since its release in 2006, the Wii has consistently outsold both Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. It has also been one of the more elusive consoles, suffering frequent supply shortages in light of high demands. This is because the goal of the Wii was not to cater to established hardcore gamers, but rather "to appeal to as broad a range of people as possible," according to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata.

Wide Appeal
- Starting in late 2006, Nintendo launched its largest advertising campaign ever, spending $200 million to show people what its console was all about. The commercials, in which two Japanese businessmen travel from home to home with their Wiis, showed individuals of all ages and families from all walks of life enjoying the interactivity and accessibility that the Wii offers. The Sun reports retirement home residents as old as 103 have been able to pick up the Wii Remote and haven't been able to put it down since.
The Wii Remote
- While other systems emphasize high-definition graphics and powerful onboard processors, the focus of the Wii from the start has been on its original interpretation of interactive game play. Many of the games featured on the Wii use input from the Wii's specially-designed controller, the Wii Remote, which uses motion sensing and tracking technology. It can act as a tennis racket, baseball bat, gun, sword, steering wheel and many other items depending on the game being played. Nintendo of America's president, Reginald Fils-Aime, said that what would bring new and casual gamers into the industry was not the graphics, but rather "the ability to pick up a controller, not be intimidated, and have fun immediately."
Exercise Software
- According to Edge magazine, in 2009 the game "Wii Sports" outsold "Super Mario Bros.," becoming the bestselling game of all time. Similar record sales for the console were established with such titles as "Wii Play" and "Wii Fit." What these games all have in common is that they require gamers to move, whereas most other games allow them to sit on the couch with the controller rested comfortably in their lap. By using the Wii Remote and other peripherals, such as the Balance Board, individuals and families alike can turn video gaming into healthy exercise sessions, which is one of the Wii's primary strengths against the other consoles on the market.
Varied Menu
- The first thing you'll notice when activating your Wii is the top menu, which is styled after a television channel browser. The menu includes weather forecasts, news, an Internet browser, an online shop channel, a game disc channel and many other channels, and can be navigated intuitively using the Wii Remote. According to Kenichiro Ashida, Nintendo wanted the Wii's simple-to-use menu to be "full of variety, since the age and interests of each family member also vary."

Nintendo Wii