In a recent episode of Comedy Central’s animated series South Park, Cartman decides that he can’t wait for the release of Nintendo’s next-generation gaming console and has a friend freeze him in the snow so that he can be thawed out jut in time for the retail launch. And while the foul-mouthed tyke ended up missing out on his chance to purchase a Nintendo Wii, gamers across North America won’t be so careless this weekend. The units go on sale Saturday night at midnight at many retailers and are sure to create a blockbuster like nothing we’ve seen this summer.
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 try out its new remote controller and other innovative features. Stealing some thunder from Sony’s $499 PlayStation3, The Wii carries a more competitive 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.
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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