Price range: £177.97
What is it: Games console with motion-sensitve controllers
What we think: It lacks its competitors' graphical prowess, but its price, motion-sensitive controllers and emphasis on gameplay make it compelling
What you need to know
Reviewed on: 21 November 2006
Tags: Nintendo, Nintendo Wii, navigation, adaptor, outputs
We like:
Revolutionary controller design offers motion-sensitive gameplay options; built-in Wi-Fi delivers free online services and (eventually) gameplay; Virtual Console has major nostalgia appeal; compatible with all GameCube games and controllers; built-in SD slot for storage and photo viewing; includes Wii Sports game; most affordable of all next-gen systems
We don't like:
Controller eats batteries and takes some time to get used to; lacks the advanced hi-def graphics and surround sound found on the Xbox 360 and the PS3; requires a wired receiver unit placed near the TV to interface with wireless controllers; can't play CDs or DVDs
CNET UK judgement:
It lacks the graphical prowess and rich media features of the Xbox 360 and the PS3, but the Nintendo Wii's combination of motion-sensitive controllers and emphasis on gameplay make the ultra-affordable console compelling
Full review:
Nintendo has ventured off the beaten path with its newest system, and the company knows it. While the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360 both emphasise their impressive graphical capabilities, Nintendo downplays the importance of graphics on its new console. While the Sony and Microsoft consoles keep the branding of their respective predecessors, the oddly named Wii is a semantic departure from Nintendo's more literally named 2001 console, the GameCube. And while the PS3 and the Xbox 360 both use conventional gamepads bristling with buttons, control sticks and directional pads, the Wii uses a device that looks more like a TV remote than a gamepad to control its games. Continue Reading...
Nintendo Wii History
8 Nov 2009 in Crave
Don't hold your breath for Wii HD, says Nintendo
Nintendo cautions against holding your breath for a new Wii HD. Such action won't make it release an HD console any quicker, and might result in the breath-holder getting dizzy and passing out
20 Oct 2009 in Crave
Nintendo's limited-edition black Wii launching in UK in November
Nintendo is launching a limited-edition black version of the Wii games console in the UK. Whether or not this makes it worth buying is open for debate
5 Oct 2009 in Crave
Help us find the most reliable games console and win £200 of gadgets!
Fill out a short survey and tell us whether your Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or Wii is alive or dead, and you could win £200 worth of gadgets
2 Jan 2009 in Crave
Nintendo turns broadcaster: Original shows coming to Wii
Nintendo is planning to launch a free, on-demand television channel in Japan, delivered via its Wii console. It'll feature original and exclusive programming, and will hopefully hit the UK later this year
15 Jul 2008 in Crave
Wii MotionPlus: Making it easier to control your Wii
Fancy a more accurate Wii experience? Nintendo has the solution in the form of the Wii MotionPlus, an accessory no Wii gamer should be without
17 Apr 2008 in Reviews
When I was growing up as a young geek, I always had desktop computers, which means I always laughed at console owners with their little under-TV boxes. Then my girlfriend bought a Wii
11 Apr 2008 in Reviews
iPlayer on the Wii: 10 out of 10 for effort
The news that the BBC iPlayer has come to the Wii made me dance with joy. Then I tried it and had to sit down
10 Apr 2008 in News
BBC iPlayer in Wii streaming joy
A trial version of the BBC's streaming iPlayer service can now be accessed via the Nintendo Wii, letting gamers catch up on the past week's TV if their Wiinjuries are playing up
19 Dec 2007 in News
Nintendo angry at Wii scalping
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has wagged his finger at retailers profiting from desperate customers by making software purchases compulsory with the in-demand console
17 Dec 2007 in Digital Living
How do I get a Nintendo Wii in time for Christmas?
I'm desperately trying to find a Nintendo Wii before Christmas -- do you know where I might be able to buy one?
19 Sep 2007 in News
Wiimote to be lightsaber at last
Following months of rumours, publisher LucasArts has confirmed its first Star Wars game featuring Wii Remote-enabled lightsaber combat. Fwoom!
11 Sep 2007 in Crave
Wii Zapper to include Zelda crossbow game
Nintendo has announced that it will bundle a Duck Hunt-esque Zelda shooting game with its Zapper peripheral
31 Aug 2007 in News
Nintendo sells a million Wiis in the UK
The Nintendo Wii has sold a million consoles in the UK since its launch on 8 December, making it the fastest-selling games console ever
28 Aug 2007 in News
Ever wondered what puts the grunt in your gaming? Thanks to CNET.co.uk's sister site TechRepublic we go inside the Wii and see the hardware that makes Nintendo's console tick
25 Jul 2007 in News
Canadian gym offers Wii workouts
The fitness centre has incorporated a Nintendo Wii workout station into circuit training where users can punch, run and jump with the system's motion-sensitive controller
16 Jul 2007 in News
E3 slogan: 'Everyone's a gamer'
Casual gaming takes centre stage at the annual confabulation -- from Wii yoga to PlayStation karaoke, all ages and demographics are now being targeted
13 Jul 2007 in Reviews
E3 sets up biggest Christmas ever for games
In terms of sheer firepower Microsoft has edged this year's E3, for me anyway, with Halo 3, BioShock and my highlight, the incredible Mass Effect
12 Jul 2007 in News
News.blog: Wii Zapper announced
Nintendo has finally unveiled its gun accessory for the Wiimote, and it's not quite what we were expecting, writes News.com blogger Will Greenwald
9 Jul 2007 in News
High hopes for cheaper hardware at E3
The videogame industry will gather for its annual expo this week, with expectations that cheaper hardware and new games will fuel the strongest sales in years
30 May 2007 in News
Live Wii ads to hit UK cinemas
UK cinemagoers will this weekend be confronted by live ads for Nintendo's Wii as actors in the audience play a role in the promotion for the games console
20 Apr 2007 in Reviews
Gaming showdown: PS3 vs Wii vs Xbox 360 vs PC
The dedicated gamer has some powerful home-entertainment options these days, from the three next-generation consoles to Windows Vista PCs. Here's the skinny on the positives and negatives of each option
9 Mar 2007 in News
Miyamoto: Creativity is the essence of game design
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, the father of Mario, outlined his vision for reaching broad audiences in a keynote speech at GDC
7 Feb 2007 in News
Wii sales way ahead of PS3 in Japan
Nintendo's Wii games console outsold Sony's PS3 by nearly three to one last month in Japan, according to the country's largest videogame magazine publisher
30 Jan 2007 in Reviews
Nintendo's got to prove that the Wii is a real console this year, with games that continue to provide interesting new experiences through innovative control systems
8 Dec 2006 in Crave
Photo story: Nintendo Wii launch night
Check out pictures from the midnight launch of the Nintendo Wii -- we were on hand at London stores HMV and Game as the excitement reached fever pitch
1 Dec 2006 in Digital Living
Nintendo's new console sits at a jaunty angle, emphasising its quirky approach. You'll look like an idiot waving the motion-sensitive controllers, but you'll be smiling like a loon because it's so much fun. Laugh or wiip, it's up to you.
13 Nov 2006 in Crave
Nintendo is the last remaining dedicated games company, so what are its hopes for survival against the giant heavyweights, Microsoft and Sony?
10 May 2006 in News
Photos: Nintendo Wii swings into action
Nintendo proudly showed off the capabilities of its new console yesterday -- here's what it looks like and what it can do, along with a new 'classic' controller
Latest user reviews
October 22, 2009
Posted by: ebgeebee
"Best thing ever"
April 1, 2009
Posted by: sandilya
"Best thing ever"
Tell us what you think
Can't find the product you're looking for? Want to suggest a product for review?
Special Offers from our Sponsors
Latest Games console Reviews
Sony PlayStation 3 Slim
Smaller, quieter and cheaper than previous PlayStation 3 models, it's the best version yet
Nintendo Wii MotionPlus
Does a good job in some games, but it doesn't provide a consistent user experience
Nintendo DSi
It's a slight improvement on the DS Lite, but the new features don't warrant an upgrade at this point
on Games Consoles
Don't hold your breath for Wii HD, says Nintendo
Nintendo cautions against holding your breath for a new Wii HD. Such action won't make it release an HD console any quicker, and might result in the breath-holder getting dizzy and passing out
More:
