Design
Wii is the smallest stationary console Nintendo has ever manufactured, described
by Nintendo as being "about the thickness of three standard DVD cases and only
slightly longer". The console will have the ability to stand either horizontally
or vertically. The front of the console features a self loading media drive
which is illuminated by a blue light and will accept 12 cm Wii game discs, 8 cm
GameCube game discs and, with an additional purchase, DVDs. Being able to load
different sized discs is uncommon in slot-loading media drives, which typically
only accept discs of a single size.
When the console was unveiled at E3 2005 the console was colored black. However
at the Tokyo Game Show 2005 and E3 2006 a white console was shown. Nintendo has
shown hardware in various colours (platinum, lime green, white, black, blue and
red). The most recent press releases state the colors of the console as "TBA."
Controller
The primary controller for Wii uses a one-handed remote control-based design,
which, when turned on its side, can be used like a gamepad. The controller
communicates wirelessly with the console via Bluetooth, with which it is
possible to operate up to 4 controllers as far as 10 meters from the console.
Using internal sensors and an external sensor bar placed near the display
screen, the movement, position, acceleration and orientation of the Wii Remote
can be sensed in 3D. The controller also contains an internal speaker for audio
and a rumble motor for force feedback functionality.
The Wii Remote features an expansion port, with which it is possible to augment
the controller with various shells and add-ons. Nintendo has announced several
such expansions, including a "Nunchuk" controller which features an analog
stick, a Classic Controller for playing games that require more traditional
gamepad functionality (such as Virtual Console games), and a "Zapper Style"
shell for traditional shooting gameplay.
Connectivity
Wii will have built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing communication over
the Internet via wireless networking. Connectivity with Nintendo DS utilizes the
Wi-Fi capability. Nintendo has stated that Wii will have a standard interface
for Wi-Fi. An optional USB adapter will permit network connectivity via wired
Ethernet as well.
In addition, the console incorporates Bluetooth wireless communication, with
which it communicates with the wireless Wii Remote controller. Connectivity with
other Bluetooth devices has not been mentioned.
Wii has a flip lid which can be opened to reveal 4 ports for GameCube
controllers and 2 GameCube memory card slots. Two USB ports (at the rear) and
one SD card slot (likely at the front of the console) are provided.
Additionally, at E3 2005, Nintendo revealed that a small internal attachment to
be sold as an add-on to the console will allow Wii to play DVD-Video. There will
be on the final version a port for the Wii remote's sensor bar.
Technical specifications
GameCube connectivity at the top of the Wii console, underneath a cover.
Nintendo has released very little detailed information at present concerning the
technical specifications of the Wii console. Some details have however been
released by Nintendo and other third parties involved with the console:
Processors:
IBM PowerPC processor Codenamed "Broadway"
Made with a 90 nm SOI CMOS process
ATI "Hollywood" GPU
Memory:
Amount of RAM unconfirmed
512 MB built-in flash memory
Ports and Peripherals:
Two USB 2.0 ports
Support for up to 4 wireless Wii remote controllers
4 Nintendo GameCube controller ports
2 Nintendo GameCube memory card ports (for backward compatibility)
SD Memory Card Port (in small flap on front of console)
Optional USB 2.0 Ethernet LAN adaptor
Wii Sensor Bar port
The Wii being placed within its stand.
Media
Slot-loading disc drive compatible with:
12 cm Wii optical disc (single or dual layer)
8 cm GameCube optical disc
DVD Video (additional dongle required)
1 SD memory card slot
Built-in content ratings system:
PEGI 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+, 18+
ESRB EC, E, E10+, T, M, and AO
CERO All Ages, 12+, 15+ 18+
OFLC G, PG, M, MA15+
Networking
Wi-Fi by Broadcom
Standardized Bluetooth by Broadcom
Video
up to 480p[5] and will work with a computer monitor as well as any TV or
projector[6]
Component (Including Progressive Scan Mode), composite or S-video output
Audio
Main audio output unknown
Single additional speaker located on each Wii Remote
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