Nintendo Renames Next-Gen Console 'Wii'

Nintendo has gone ahead with a change in their code name for their next generation gaming console, going with the new name Wii (pronounced "We"). A much more inventive name than the Nintendo Revolution, Wii has already produced a healthy level of satire and parody.

Nintendo issued a statement on their website about the recent renaming of their console. "While the code-name "Revolution" expressed out direction, Wii represents the answer. Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else." Nintendo, almost sensing the reaction to the new name, added in their statement "What does the name mean?

"Wii sounds like "we", which emphasizes this console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii. Wii has a distinctive "ii" spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play."

And now, the backlash. PC World ran an article about the name change, saying " What the? Why Wii? I've had friends over to play with an XBox 360 before, but I'd feel vaguely uncomfortable inviting them around to play with my Wii."

Even the BBC had a flippant start to their article about the Nintendo Wii. "Nintendo has tested the satirical skills of the gaming world with the announcement of the new name for its next-generation games console."

With all the jokes, the satire and the mockery put aside, the Nintendo Wii is still promising to be an exciting entry into the next-gen console war. Microsoft's XBoX 360 has beaten everybody to the punch by launching well before either of its competitors. As well, the Sony PlayStation 3 has been experiencing delays, and is expected out in November 2006, which could leave the door open for Nintendo to capture a sizeable chunk of the next-gen console market. That being said, Nintendo has yet to announce a launch date or a price point for Wii, though pundits have put the release time somewhere towards the end of the year.

ABC News said "With the new Xbox 360 already gobbling up shelf space and Sony's fully-loaded PlayStation 3 on the way, Nintendo, which many say reinvented the console market with the Nintendo Entertainment System in the 1980s, is trying to do it again." That is most likely true, but they are going to be doing it with two disadvantages. Firstly, they're not the first next generation console to hit the market, and secondly, it won't be the most powerful. In order to achieve good sales, Nintendo has added some unique features to their console.

Most prominently, the Nintendo Wii will feature a two part controller: One part will be a remote-control style device and the other, a joystick. The remote control will be motion sensitive, which will allow users to swing the controller like a sword, swing it like a baseball bat, or use it like a paintbrush. The other major selling point for the Nintendo Wii will most likely be the variety of unique games Nintendo hopes to have. For the Nintendo DS, Nintendo has already sold 5 million copies of Dr Kawashima's Brian Training: How Old is Your Brain?. Games like Nintendogs and the Brain Age game have been huge successes.

The Wii will get its public debut at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (or E3) net month, the industry's annual trade show. E3 promises to allow Sony to announce more details about the PlayStation 3 (or PS3), and will allow Microsoft to unveil more information about their future plans for Microsoft Xbox 360. One of the frequently asked questions is why did Nintendo not hold off to make the announcement at E3? CNN reports their belief that "By letting the gaming community vent now about the name, they will be less distracted as launch titles for the system are announced and initial reports about what it's like to play the games begin to come in." Also, CNN quoted Perrin Kaplan, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Affairs for Nintendo of America, as saying "We want people to understand our approach before we get to E3. [Also], it's really noisy at E3 and I don't think we would have had the chance to explain how we came to the name."

Regardless of the name, the Nintendo Wii promises to have an exciting entry into the next generation console battle with the Microsoft XBoX 360 and the Sony PlayStation 3. Only time will tell who will win.

[Additional Sources: Nintendo, BBC, ABC News, CNN]

- Steve Taylor