ie8 fix
Home / Topics

wii

14 Results

Related Tags

Dictionary

Wii

A popular video game console from Nintendo (www.nintendo.com) introduced in 2006. Pronounced "wee," it runs Wii and GameCube software and features a wireless motion sensing controller that looks...

Full Definition »
Dictionary

Definition: Wii

A popular video game console from Nintendo (www.nintendo.com) introduced in 2006. Pronounced "wee," it runs Wii and GameCube software and features a wireless motion sensing controller that looks like a TV remote rather than a game controller. After a sensor bar is placed in front of the screen to orient the Bluetooth-based remote via infrared signals, the unit is strapped to the wrist and swung like a tennis racket, golf club or other sports equipment. Dubbed the "Wiimote," its internal accelerometers sense the motion on three axes, and up to four players can have their own controller. The speaker built into the device sounds a "thwack" when hitting the ball.

Users were exuberant from the start. With thousands of consoles sold immediately, players found their wrist straps breaking and controllers flying across the room. Nintendo immediately improved the strap and offered everyone a replacement.

Nanchuk and Classic
While using the Wii Remote to hit the ball, a secondary "Nanchuk" unit, also motion sensitive, is used to move the gamer's character on screen. Named after the Chinese nunchaku, a weapon made of two sticks chained together, the Nanchuk plugs into the Wii Remote. For traditional games, a "Classic" controller more familiar to gamers can be used. See Wiinjuries.


Wii

Console and Remotes
When the Nanchuk is plugged into the Wii Remote, it more or less resembles the Chinese nunchaku sticks. The Nanchuk moves the character on screen while the Wii Remote moves the bat, racket or club. For traditional games, the Classic controller plugs into the Remote. (Images courtesy of Nintendo, www.nintendo.com)



Wii

Wii

Play Tennis and Bowl in Your Living Room
The Wii has brought sports into the living room. In these examples, players move as if they were actually on the courts or in a real bowling alley.





THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY
All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.
© 1981-2010 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved.

Sponsored White Papers, Webcasts & Resources

  • Nintendo Wii U

    Nintendo Wii U is Nintendo's next-generation home console. The Wii U has a revolutionary new controller with a built-in screen, camera, and much more!

    Image galleries | June 7, 2011 9:43pm PDT

  • PlayStation Move navigation controller teardown

    Bill Detwiler cracks open the PlayStation Move navigation controller and looks at the hardware inside Sony's alternative to Nintendo's Wii Nunchuk.

    Image galleries | September 27, 2010 6:32am PDT

  • Nintendo president: 'The Wii has stalled'

    Though it once appeared to be a tiny sales juggernaut, Nintendo's top-selling Wii console has struggled in 2009.

    News items | November 2, 2009 5:30am PST

  • Nintendo wins Wii patent case

    Wii-maker touts early dismissal of infringement suit regarding parental controls on DVD video playback...which the Wii doesn't have. This is just one of 15-patent-related suits.

    News items | June 12, 2009 8:49am PDT

  • E3 2009: Nintendo Wii Vitality Sensor

    Nintendo CEO, Satoru Iwata offers a sneak peek at the company’s new Vitality Sensor.

    Videos | June 2, 2009 3:44pm PDT

  • E3 2009: Nintendo Wii Motion Plus

    At E3 2009 in Los Angeles, Nintendo demonstrates the Wii Motion Plus, the latest update to its wireless controller.

    Videos | June 2, 2009 1:21pm PDT

  • Xbox 360 to challenge Wii with motion-sensing camera?

    A report says that Microsoft is developing a new video camera for its Xbox 360 video game console that will allow players to control games with the movement of their bodies.

    News items | May 13, 2009 7:04am PDT

  • Game innovations at GDC 09

    Games enhanced by wind, vibration, and light, plus mind control and super-realistic motions. Check out the latest in game creation from the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.

    Videos | March 27, 2009 3:26pm PDT

  • How the Wii saved Christmas

    The video game industry saw a 14 percent year-over-year growth in December largely due to outstanding sales of the Nintendo Wii and DS game systems.

    News items | January 13, 2009 8:55am PST

  • Intel chairman highlights partnerships around the world

    At the Intel Developers Forum in San Francisco, company Chairman Craig Barrett explains how, by collaborating with teachers and doctors around the world, technology can improve lives. Demonstrated...

    Videos | August 19, 2008 3:04pm PDT

  • Welcome WiiWare

    CNET News.com's Kara Tsuboi brings you the latest Nintendo Wii news (and throws in some yoga and ski moves) from a recent media party in San Francisco. Expect to see new WiiWare titles from indie...

    Videos | April 15, 2008 3:00am PDT

  • Finetune Music Player

    Screenshots of the Finetune music application running in all of its different forms: in Apollo on the desktop, the web version and the Wii version.

    Image galleries | February 5, 2007 2:58am PST

  • Photos: IBM delivers Wii chips to Nintendo

    The launch of Nintendo's Wii gaming console is getting closer as IBM delivers the first batch of processors.

    Image galleries | September 8, 2006 2:23pm PDT

  • CNET News.com reporter roundtable

    Beyond all the glitz, gadgets and gizmos, who were the big winners and big losers at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo? Join Charlie Cooper, Jim Kerstetter, Ina Fried and Daniel Terdiman...

    Videos | May 13, 2006 2:17am PDT

Additional Results

ie8 fix

The best of ZDNet, delivered

ZDNet Newsletters

Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox

Facebook Activity

ie8 fix