The Wii, which is the newest console released by Nintendo, which was released on November 19; just two days after Sony officially launched its PlayStation 3 on the 17th. The launch of the Wii has got gamers around the world excited about games.

Nintendo is back for another round of console wars with its Wii (pronounced “we”). As the GameCube fell short of expectations, Nintendo has changed its approach and intends to take console gaming in a new direction. With the Wii, Nintendo is trying to attract not only hardcore gamers, but also non-gamers to its new console. It may sound crazy, but if the recent popularity of its portable system, the DS Lite, is any indication, Nintendo is sure to be onto something.

What is Nintendo trying to do to make the Wii so special? It’s not just about trusting your graphics capabilities. In truth, its graphics are only superior to those of the original Xbox console. What has really captivated the gamer is the way the games are played. Nintendo is trying to change the way people view the game console, introducing a new way to play.

With the Nintendo Wii, the days of hitting buttons on a joystick or game pad are long gone. The controller is now simply designed to move like a wand. Your actions are represented in real time on your television screen. The handheld controller still has a few buttons, but there are still far fewer compared to the likes or the PlayStation3 and Xbox360 controllers.

Although only the most basic games can be played with the wand remote, more complex games will need to use a special remote accessory. This accessory is known as a “nun-chuk”, which should be plugged into the base of the normal remote control. You’ll add the benefit of an analog stick, plus two activation buttons. The nun-chuk is necessary during gameplay for actions such as moving your character, firing weapons, and interacting with various objects.

There is another benefit that is available on the Nintendo Wii that differs from the other consoles. It is equipped with something called “Virtual Console”. To define this briefly, the virtual console allows you to download games from older game systems. Although on stage, not all games are available for purchase, however, Nintendo has plans to release new titles on its virtual console every week.

Currently, games for the following consoles are available: NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis, and Turbografx -16. These games can be purchased through a point system. These points are available through the Wii console itself or in retail stores nationwide. Prices start at $ 5 for NES games and go up to $ 10 for N64 games. A separate controller may be required to play virtual console games. However, most games can be played with a GameCube controller.

The current retail price of the Nintendo Wii is $ 249.99. However, due to the continuing shortage of the Wii, it is difficult for many to get their hands on this console system. It can be found easily on many of the major auction websites, albeit at a much higher price.

Unpacking the box, you will discover: the Nintendo Wii game console, all necessary cables and adapters, Wii Sports (a game with 5 different sports) and the controller, which is divided into two variants; the regular remote control as well as the nun-chuk remote accessory. If needed, additional remotes are available for $ 39.99 and the nun-chuk accessory is sold separately for $ 19.99. Also, to take advantage of the virtual console, the “Classic” controller will cost $ 19.99 each.

If early sales and buzz at launch along with continued demand are anything to go by, the Nintendo Wii is, and will continue to be, a resounding success. Nintendo not only intends to please its hardcore gaming fans, but also to cater to the casual and non-gamer. This is the complete opposite of Sony with its PlayStation 3 and Microsoft with its Xbox 360, which mostly go after the many hardcore gamers.