LAUNCH INFO

IT IS NEARLY HERE MY FRIENDS. NOVEMBER 19th, $250, praise Jesus!



Launch Package
• Wii Console (White only for now)
• Wii Remote w/ Nunchuk
• AC Adapter
• A/V Cable
• Sensor Bar w/ Stand
• 2 Batteries
• Wii Sports (tennis, baseball, golf, bowling) *
*Not included in Japanese package

North/Latin America
• Date: 11/19
• Price: $250
• Games: $50 (first party)
• Remote: $40
• Nunchuk: $20

Japan
• Date: 12/02
• Price: 25,000
• Remote: 3800 yen
• Nunchuk: 1800 yen
• Cassic Controller: 1800 yen

Europe
Coming Soon


Virtual Console
• ~30 titles at launch, 10 more per month
• Cost: $5 NES, $8 SNES, $10 N64

Confirmed Launch DAY Games
• Call of Duty 3
• Elebits
• Excite Truck
• Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
• Madden 07
• Need for Speed: Carbon
• Rayman: Raving Rabbids
• Splinter Cell: Double Agent.
• Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz
• Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
• Trauma Center: Second Opinion

Mii Channel



General Information
Wii (pronounced 'we') is Nintendo's entry into the next generation console war, except this one is a little different. While Microsoft and Sony are waving their FLOPS around at everybody promising the most powerful next-gen experience, Nintendo is trying to sneak in the back door. With Wii, things are being kept simple and the focus is being put on actually playing the games. A new radical controller that looks more like a TV remote than a controller promises the gaming experience will be unlike any other. The simple hardware contained in the system may keep people from being wowed with the graphics, but Nintendo is banking on a low price point and new experiences to bring in both new and veteran gamers alike.

Controller

The main unit of the Wii controller is the remote portion. Although it can be held in any number of ways, the standard style is to hold it like a TV remote. The console is able to sense the position and orientation of the remote, opening the door to a huge number of gameplay possibilities. A recently announced feature of the remote is a built in speaker for auditory feedback. The remote also has an expansion port to allow attachments including the notable nunchuk analog stick attachment. This will come standard, adding an additional 2 buttons and analog stick to the remote. This attachment can also sense it's own motion, allowing for an additional gesturing system. Other planned attachments include a more classic style controller for use with classic games, and a blaster type device.

How It Works
Several of the controller functions are self contained within the controller. The orientation and motion of the remote are measured by the remote itself (as well as the motion of the nunchuk ), then communicated back to the console using Bluetooth technology. Where it get's tricky is measuring the position of the controller in 3D space. For this, the console includes a "sensor bar" which is to be placed above or below a televisions screen. There are several IR sensors in each end of this bar, so when the remote (which has IR on the front of it) is pointed at the bar, it's position can be determined.


The Console

One benefit of having relatively low power is the resulting small console, with the Wii coming in at "about the thickness of three standard DVD cases and only slightly longer". The slot loading DVD drive will accept both standard sized DVDs for Wii games and Gamecube sized discs for backwards compatibility. A flap on top of the console can be opened to reveal four Gamecube controller and two memory card ports. The internal 512MB of flash storage for game saves and downloads doesn't seem like much, but the included SD Card slots and USB ports can be used to expand storage. Output from the console comes in a single analog port, which will be compatible with Composite, S-Video, and Component video (no digital audio or video available).


Additional Controlling

In addition to the standard remote/nunchuk combo, several additional methods of interacting with the Wii are planned. The first two are attachments for the standard remote. A traditional style attachment is available for use with classic games through the Virtual Console. No other games have currently announced support for the classic pad. The second attachment is a "light gun" style attachment which adds a handle on the remote, presumably allowing it to be used just like a light gun for shooter games. Finally, Nintendo has recently annouced the DS will be able to act as a touch screen remote for the Wii.

Virtual Console
In addition to backwards compatibility with physical Gamecube discs, Wii also features a "Virtual Console" for even further access to old games. Games from NES, SNES, N64, Genesis, and TurboGrafx will be available to download in an iTunes style. Developers will also be able to put up new content for download on the Virtual Console system. At the current time no information is available on pricing or what games will be available for download.

Online Capabilities
Users will be able to connect directly to Nintendo's WiFi service with the built in 802.11b/g support. Anybody wishing to connect using hard-wired ethernet will have to plug in using a USB adapter. Once connected the built in Opera based web browser can be used to browse the internet from a couch. Even when the console is turned off WiiConnect24 will be on the console, allowing it to download content or updates while users are away.


Launch
At the current time there are no hard details available as far as launch price or date, but there is expected ~20 launch titles. The launch will take place sometime this year, and Nintendo has stated the price would be under $250 in the US. Further details are likely to come before the end of summer. (Expect this to change September 14th)


Preorders
No major stores in the US are currently accepting pre-orders on Wii hardware, and likely will not take any until further launch details are available.


Media

Console:




Controller:


Sensor Bar:


Console
• 512MB onboard flash storage.
• 2 USB ports (storage expansion, ethernet adapter).
• 802.11b/g wireless built in.
• SD Card expansion slots.
• Communicates with up to 4 controllers over Bluetooth.
• Video out available in composite, s-video, or component.
• Included OS is "upgradable".

Controller
• Standard package includes a remote and analog stick nunchuk attachment.
• Remote is powered by 2 AA batteries.


DS Connectivity
• DS can communicate wirelessly with a Wii console.
• Demos can be downloaded through the Wii to DS.
• The DS can act as a touchscreen controller for the Wii.


Backwards Compatibility
• Has 4 Gamecube controller and 2 memory card slots.
• Wavebirds will be supported on the Wii.
• Downloaded Virtual Console games will be protected by a proprietary DRM.
• DRM will be able to limit how long a downloaded game could be played.

Virtual Console
• Supports distribution of both classic and new games.
• Price of new content to probably be 500-100yen (~$4-$8).


Hardware
These numbers are not confirmed by Nintendo.
• CPU: IBM "Broadway", clocked at 729MHz.
• GPU: ATI "Hollywood", clocked at 243MHz. Integrated chip that includes the GPU, DSP, I/O Bridge, and 2MBs texture memory.
• 24MB "Main" 1T-SRAM.
• 64MB "External" 1T-SRAM.


Misc
• 480p 16x9 display will be supported.
• DVD playback will be possible through and additional "self-contained" unit.
• Nintendo has licensed the Havok physics engine for use on Wii games.

The Games
* denotes an expected launch window title
• Animal Crossing Nintendo
• Avatar: The Last Airbender* THQ
• Batallion Wars 2 Kuju Entertainment
• Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII* Ubisoft
• Bleach Sega
• Blitz: The League* Midway
• Bomberman Land Hudson Soft
• Boxing Action AQ Interactive
• Bust-A-Move Majesco
• Call of Duty 3* Activision
• Cooking Mama Taito
• Disaster: Day of Crisis Nintendo
• Disney's Cars* THQ
• Disney's Chicken Little: Ace in Action Buena Vista
• Disney's Meet The Robinsons Buena Vista
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2* Atari
• Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors* Square Enix
• Elebits* Konami
• Excite Truck* Nintendo
• Far Cry: Vengeance* Ubisoft
• Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles Square Enic
• Fire Emblem Nintendo
• Flight Game Hudson Soft
• Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy Midway
• GT Pro Series* Ubisoft
• Happy Feet Midway
• Harry Potter EA
• Harvest Moon Natsume
• Heroes Grasshopper
• Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess* Nintendo
• Madden 07* Electronic Arts
• Mario Strikers Charged Nintendo
• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance* Activision
• Metal Of Honor: Airborne Electronic Arts
• Metal Slug Anthology* SNK
• Metroid Prime 3: Corruption* Retro
• Monster 4x4 World Circuit* Ubisoft
• Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Midway
• Mr. D Goes to Town Mastiff
• Need For Speed: Carbon* EA
• One Piece: Unlimited Adventure Namco Bandai
• Open Season* Ubisoft
• Pokémon Battle Revolution Nintendo
• Prince of Persia Ubisoft
• Project H.A.M.M.E.R. Nintendo
• Rampage: Total Destruction Midway
• Rayman Raving Rabbids* Ubisoft
• Red Steel* Ubisoft
• Resident Evil - Untitled Capcom
• Sengoku Action KOEI
• Sonic and the Secret Rings Sega
• SSX EA
• Splinter Cell Double Agent* Ubisoft
• SpongeBob SquarePants* THQ
• Super Mario Galaxy Nintendo
• Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz* Sega
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl Nintendo
• Super Swing Golf Pangya Tecmo
• The Ant Bully Midway
• The Godfather EA
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour EA
• Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam* Activision
• Trauma Center: Second Opinion* Atlus
• Untitled - New Action Game Milestone
• Untitled - New Vertical Scroll Shooting Game Milestone
• WarioWare: Smooth Moves Nintendo
• Wii Sports* Nintendo

F.A.Q
I heard the launch date was going to be October 2nd because Nintendo put out a press release with the launch date inside the press release. Is this true?
Fuck you.

When will Wii launch/how much will it cost/what colors will be available?
Nintendo has not provided with us with any launch details, and likely haven't decided on any themselves. All we know is that it will come out in Q4 2006 and cost less than $250.

When can I preorder Wii? Where is the best place?
No major US stores are accepting preorders currently. Several stores in Australia are taking preorders.

How is the controller powered? Will there be a rechargable base station?
The controller is powered by 2 AA batteries. There are no plans for a rechargable solution from Nintendo.

I heard the controller has a microphone.
It doesn't.

That controller has a lot of fancy electronics, how much is it going to cost?
Unknown.

I thought the Wii was going to be able to connect directly to computer monitors?
This was mentioned roughly 2 years ago when we knew nothing about the Revolution (as it was called at the time). No more has been said of this, and is currently assumed to no longer be true.

Will my Wavebird receiver be able to fit in the top of my Wii?
Yes. Nintendo representatives have said you would be able to use your regular Cube controller or the Wavebird in the Wii.

Nintendo is quickly becoming my favorite video gaming entertainment company.

_________________
Retired 8/21/06
Don't click this link.

has been mine, and i know its been ponuhs for years, omg praise technology, it might be our downfall but it sure is entertaining.

I just watched AI today YOU POOR CHILD YOU POOR POOR CHILD

Preorders are now available:
http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?catego ... s_id=6998&

Actualy kids I was thinking... my arm is going to be sooo tired after like 10 minutes of waving that remote around....

Lots of people say stuff like this, but the way you move the controller is mostly with wrist movments. So its not really all that involving.

I think most games will just use the motion of the controller and wont involve swinging a bat.

None-the-less, when youre having fun the last thing on your mind is how sore your body is.

_________________
COBRA KAI DOJO NEVER DIES
RIP Shiloh

Weren't people in other thread just talking about how way back when in Mario Party we all tore off a good chunk of flesh to the tug of war and the rowboat minigames rotating the hell out of the control stick.

Come on guys, your going to eat this shit up and love it, lolol

And if not then you can use your gamecube controllers it looks like.

_________________
Retired 8/21/06
Don't click this link.

Theres a controller that plugs into the bottem of the wiimote.

_________________
COBRA KAI DOJO NEVER DIES
RIP Shiloh

No you plug your GC controller into one of the four ports on the console that are hidden by a flap

Is Yarr talking about the nunchuck?

No Im talking about a controller that pluggs into the bottem of the wiimote.

I heard about the CG controller compatibility a long time ago, but never heard anything since. I figured it was dropped. Nice to see I was wrong anyway.


Ill find a picture of that controller I was talking about.

_________________
COBRA KAI DOJO NEVER DIES
RIP Shiloh

I think they are pushing this for the Nintendo, SNES and other 8-32bit era games.


I know it looks like a non wireless controller, but it actually plugs into the nunchuk port on the bottem. I think we can look forward to more cool things plugging into the bottem.

_________________
COBRA KAI DOJO NEVER DIES
RIP Shiloh

You sure that plugs into the bottom? 'cause what the fuck am I going to do with the wiimote when I'm using that. lol

I meant to add the pic for that to the main post >.> forgot to do that. I'll do it when I'm back on my PC

one thing i hate about the joystick is look at the plasic arouns it, i like how the ps2 controller is a perfect circle, where as this is not, i duno it pisses me off when im trying to do things smoothly

You push the joystick until it hits the plastic edge?


STOP ABUSING YOUR CONTROLLERS IKE.

_________________
COBRA KAI DOJO NEVER DIES
RIP Shiloh

i like how rein made this thread, and ended up taking my post count down like 50

dude, i cant help it. you should see all my GS controllers, they are all missing the rubber buffer on the joy stick, lol i bit them all off....

Considering I just moved everything to the archive, I don't see how that works. lol

oh nvm

Once again, I'm very excited

_________________

NYT: $250 Wii coming November 19
Nintendo's next-gen console will arrive two days after the PlayStation 3, according to the New York Times; over 25 games available at launch.
By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot
Posted Sep 13, 2006 9:45 pm PT
Though Nintendo won't say it publicly until an event Thursday morning, today's issue of the New York Times has already answered the questions on millions of gamers' minds: When will the Wii go on sale? What will it cost? How many games will it have at launch?

As it turns out, the console will arrive on Sunday, November 19, in North America and South America, according to the Times. That puts the console's launch just two days after that of its archrival, the PlayStation 3, which has recently seen its own debut scaled down.

But while only 400,000 PS3s will be available at launch, the Times claims that the Wii will be "far more available in stores this holiday season" than its competitor due to its cheaper and simpler form factor.

As many suspected, the console will cost $250 in the US, according to the article. Since Nintendo executives have repeatedly said it would be under $250, the likely final price will be $249.99 or $249.95. It will also reportedly have over 25 first- and third-party games available at launch.

"Our goal is to bring gaming back to the masses," Nintendo of America president and chief operating officer Reggie Fils-Aime told the newspaper. "You see that in our pricing, you see that in the number of units we plan to make available this year and you see that in how we are positioning the Wii to appeal to every member of the household, including but not limited to the hardcore gamer."

GameSpot will update this article with new information as soon as it becomes available.

hurrazy


Originally written by tomake... umm posted i mean

_________________
Job 10: 20
The mikey's have a plan. Djay isn't all powerful.

some new info

September 13, 2006 - According to an article at the Seattle PI that is reporting on an article in the New York Times, Nintendo plans to announce the Wii will debut in North and South America on November 19 for $250.



Thursday's announcement should also reveal that Nintendo plans to provide gamers with more than 25 new titles for the Wii this year.

The NYT reports that every Wii will include Wii Sports. Additional games for the Wii are reportedly priced at $50 each. About 30 classic downloadable Virtual Console games should be available this year and will cost about $5-$10 each.

The Wii will also include a "Photo Channel" which will allow users to use their Wii to share digital photos via their television. In addition there will be news and weather channels.


Posted by tomake..

_________________
Job 10: 20
The mikey's have a plan. Djay isn't all powerful.

was hoping for a cheaper 200$ but that was without wii sports so im excited!
together a nuchuku and wiimote cost like 60 dollars (20 and 40 respectively, a little expensive but the remote has so much in it.

also REALLY GREAT NEWS FOR THE VC

In a press event earlier today, Nintendo of Japan president Satoru Iwata said that the Virtual Console would not only let gamers download and play older games on their Wii systems, but it would also play small Wii-exclusive games, as well. A number of such titles are already in development.

While those games will come eventually, the Virtual Console will at first focus on offering an array of vintage games. Iwata said that Nintendo will offer 30 downloadable retro games for the Japanese system's December 2 launch, with 60 available by the end of the year, and 10 more added each month thereafter.

To produce such a stream of content for the service, Nintendo has teamed up with other gamemakers. Check below for the list of announced publishing partners who will provide content on the Virtual Console.

Virtual Console partners:
Atlus
Bandai Namco
Banpresto
Capcom
Chunsoft
D4 Enterprise
Enterbrain
Hal Laboratory
Hudson
Irem
Jaleco
Kemco
Koei
Konami
NCS Masaya
Netfarm
Paon
Rocket Company
Square Enix
Sega
Sunsoft
Taito
Takara Tomy