Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/28/nintendo_revolution_is_wii/
It's no joke - Nintendo today renamed its next-generation console 'Wii'. As in 'we', apparently, but in school playgrounds across the UK - and probably everywhere else in the English-speaking world too - they'll be sniggering and adding a second 'e' to the 'we'.
'I'd rather have a wii than an PS3,' we can almost hear the wee ones sing.
Micturitional associations aside, according to Nintendo - can't you just see the Western PR reps staring into their palms in disbelief? - the name represents all those folk out there who don't play videogames. A console for the rest of us, as Steve Jobs might have put it.
It's all about "breaking down the wall that separates videogame players from everyone else", though at the same time Nintendo wants to be "set apart from the crowd". Inclusivity and exclusivity in the same console - an amazing feat if Nintendo can pull it off.
Oh, and the "distinctive 'ii' spelling", if you were wondering, "symbolises both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play".
All we need to know now is the console's spec - it's odd-looking, motion-sensitive controller was unveiled in September 2005 (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/16/nintendo_unveils_revolution_controller/) - and that's likely to be made public at the E3 show next month. ®
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/10/28/game_on_exhibition/
Sunlight scuppers Nintendo Wii sensor? (10 October 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/10/10/nintendo_wii_sunlight/
Nintendo details Wii console's Japan debut (14 September 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/09/14/nintendo_wii_japan_debut/
IBM takes 'Broadway' to the Nintendo stage (8 September 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/09/08/ibm_ships_broadway_processors_to_nintendo/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/07/13/nintendo_wii_uk_details_roundup/
Nintendo denies UK Wii ship-date, price claims (13 July 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/07/13/nintendo_denies_wii_price_ship_date/
Nintendo Wii to make a splash early? (7 July 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/07/07/nintendo_to_ship_wii_early/
Nintendo preps pink DS Lite (28 June 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/28/nintendo_pink_ds_lite/
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http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/23/nintendo_ships_ds_lite/
Nintendo to pitch Wii at under $250 (25 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/25/nintendo_wii_pricing_revealed/
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/25/videogaming_surgeons/
Nintendo DS Lite UK debut detailed (22 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/22/nintendo_names_ds_lite_uk_date/
PS3 to cost £425 in the UK (18 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/18/sony_reveals_uk_ps3_pricing/
Nintendo steals the show at E3 (18 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/18/e3_nintendo_announcement/
MS tries to rain on PS3 parade with $200 Wii forecast (11 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/11/ms_forecasts_200_dollar_wii/
PS3s offer 'identical' functionality, Sony exec claims (11 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/11/sony_ps3_spec_response/
Xmas debut for Xbox 360 HD DVD drive (10 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/10/ms_shows_xbox_360_hddvd_drive/
Sony confirms 60GB hard drive for PS3 (9 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/09/sony_prices_up_ps3/
June US debut for Nintendo DS Lite (4 May 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/04/nintendo_ds_lite_us/
No worldwide Revolution launch? (3 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/03/no_worldwide_revolution_launch/
Nintendo Revolution chip specs leak (30 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/30/nintendo_rev_chip_specs/
Sony delays PlayStation 3 (15 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/15/sony_delays_ps3/
Nintendo Revolution: affordable, shipping by Thanksgiving (19 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/19/nintendo_revolution_price_release/
Nintendo to announce Revolution in May 2006 (29 November 2005)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2005/11/29/nintendo_may_revolution/
Nintendo H1 profits halved as GameCube demand declines (24 November 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11/24/nintendo_results_h1_06/
Nintendo shows 'Revolutionary' console controller (16 September 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/16/nintendo_unveils_revolution_controller/
Nintendo makes Revolution revelation (16 May 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/05/16/nintendo_revolution_revelation/