Wii launches in North and South America on November 19th, 2006. Suggested price in the U.S. is $250, which includes Wii Sports. Wii games will cost $50 each, while Virtual Console game downloads will cost $5-10 each.

Nintendo's answer to what it deems "bigger and badder" successors to PS2 and Xbox, Wii is being designed to allow developers to be able to develop games without dramatic changes in design compared its competitors. It will be around 2-3 times as powerful as the GameCube and the self-loading disc drive will take both full size DVDs, and the mini-DVDs of GameCube games. A separate device will allow playback of DVD movies and other content.

The "Broadway" CPU is being developed with IBM, while the "Hollywood" GPU is being created with ATI. Also inside is 512MB of internal flash memory, presumably for saving games as there is also an expansion bay for SD memory cards to increase this. There are two USB 2.0 ports.

The console itself is around the size of 3 DVD cases with added height, and looks to be a rectangular box with only the disc drive on the frot as it will use only wireless controllers. The top flap of the console hides ports for GameCube controllers and memory cards.

It will also have built-in WiFi access to online player matching services and downloadable versions of nearly every Nintendo game from the Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, and TurboGrafx 16.

The console comes with a stand for standing it vertically while it can also be placed horizontally.

September 14, 2006 Fact Sheet

Launch Date and MSRP: Nov. 19, 2006, in the Americas at an MSRP of $249.99.

Color: White.

Size: About 8.5 inches long, 6 inches wide and less than two inches thick (157mm x 215.4mm x 44mm).

Controls: Intuitive control for anyone using the physical motion of the Wii Remote controller, which resembles a television remote control. Up to four Wii Remote controllers can be connected at once using wireless Bluetooth technology. The wireless signal can be detected within 10 meters of the console. Both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk™ controllers include a three-axis motion sensor. The Wii Remote controller also includes a speaker, rumble feature and expansion port, and can be used as a pointer within 5 meters of the screen. The Wii Remote controller has a power switch, plus pad, A, B, Minus, Home, 1 and 2 buttons. The Nunchuk controller includes an analog control stick and C and Z buttons.

The Look: The Wii console features a compact design that will make it a natural addition to any television setup. It can be displayed either vertically or horizontally.

Media: A single self-loading media bay will play single- or double-layered 12-centimeter optical discs for the Wii console, as well as 8-centimeter Nintendo GameCube™ discs.

Channels: The Wii Channel Menu is the main gateway for a variety of easy-to-use, interactive multimedia, entertainment and communication functions.

Communication: The Wii console can communicate with the Internet even when the power is turned off. The WiiConnect24™ service delivers a new surprise or game update, even if the system is idle. Users can connect wirelessly using IEEE802.11, or with a USB 2.0 LAN adaptor. The Wii console also can communicate wirelessly with Nintendo DS™.

Virtual Console: The Wii console will have downloadable access to 20 years of fan-favorite titles originally released for Nintendo® 64, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System® (SNES) and even the Nintendo Entertainment System® (NES). The Virtual Console™ also will feature a “best of" selection from Sega Genesis titles and games from the TURBO GRAFX16 console (a system jointly developed by NEC and Hudson). It also will be home to new games conceived by indie developers whose creativity is larger than their budgets.

The Specs: The Wii console has 512 megabytes of internal flash memory, two USB 2.0 ports and built-in Wi-Fi capability. A bay for an SD memory card will let players expand the internal flash memory. Design was optimized with state-of-the-art processing technologies that minimize power consumption, keep the console compact and enable the “sleepless" WiiConnect24 mode.

CPU: PowerPC CPU (code-named “Broadway")

Made with a 90 nm SOI CMOS process, jointly developed with and manufactured by IBM.

Graphics Processing Unit: Being developed with ATI.

Other Features: Four ports for classic Nintendo GameCube controllers. Two slots for Nintendo GameCube Memory Cards. An AV Multi-output port for component, composite or S-video.

Wii Message Board: Forget hand-scrawled notes tacked to the refrigerator door. Users can leave messages for other family members on a calendar-based message board. They also can use WiiConnect24 to send messages to people outside the home as well. Even better, people can trade photos and text messages with cell phone users. The service also allows for incoming messages targeted at software, such as a new map or weapon for a game. Games can constantly be updated, thereby extending their playability.

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