Since its unveiling at this year’s E3, Nintendo’s Wii next-generation video-game console has had interactive entertainment enthusiasts chomping at the bit to give it a try. Now the salivating can begin as gamers mark Nov. 19 as the day Nintendo unleashes the machine in the Americas. The Wii will carry a suggested retail price of $249.99, which includes one wireless remote controller, one ‘Nunchuk’ controller and a collection of five different sports games on one disc. Japanese gamers can look forward to getting their Wii consoles on Dec. 2.
The Wii, which replaces the Gamecube, incorporates an unique freehand controller, which works like a television remote and is designed to make gameplay more intuitive. The remote can be swung like a tennis racket or sword, or turned sideways and rotated like a steering wheel. In addition, users will have access to a vast catalog of popular games created for past Nintendo systems.
In its efforts to broaden its user base beyond core gamers, Nintendo has incorporated into the Wii a series of on-screen “channels,” which makes the console approachable and customizable for both avid players and novices. When connected to a TV, the Wii Channel Menu lets users pick games, get news or weather, view and send photos and even create playable caricatures of themselves to use in actual games. Additional functions allow users to redeem Wii Points and download classic games to Wii’s Virtual Console.
Among the 30 Wii games slated to hit retail between launch day and Dec. 31 are Wii Sports, a compilation of tennis, baseball, golf, bowling and boxing; The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess; and EXCITE TRUCK. Nintendo will price its own Wii games for $49.99, while third-party developers set their own prices. For more information about the Wii and other Nintendo products, go to www.nintendo.com.
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