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Wii

Manufacturer	Nintendo
Type	Video game console
Generation	Seventh generation era
Lifespan	Q4 2006
Media	12 cm optical disc 8cm GameCube optical disc DVD-Video (Optional) Secure Digital card (SD Flash Media)
CPU	IBM PowerPC-based "Broadway" (codename)
Online services	Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection WiiConnect24
Predecessor	Nintendo GameCube

Wii (pronounced "we", IPA: /wiː/) is Nintendo's fifth home console and the successor to the Nintendo GameCube. Until its official name was announced on April 27, 2006, it was known by the codename Nintendo Revolution.

The system is unique in that the console's controller - affectionately dubbed the 'wii-mote' - can be used as a handheld pointing device as well as detecting motion in all three dimensions. The controller also contains a speaker and a rumbling device to provide sensory feedback. The console is confirmed to have a stand-by feature entitled WiiConnect24, enabling it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while consuming very little electrical power.

The system was unveiled at Nintendo's 2005 E3 press conference and a prototype of the system's game controller was revealed at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show by Nintendo's President, Satoru Iwata, during his keynote speech in September. It is expected for worldwide release in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Launch

Release date

Nintendo plans to release Wii in the fourth quarter of 2006 as said in their 2006 media briefing. Internationally, the company hopes to launch with no more than 90 days difference between the first and last launching regions. Nintendo has said before that it will launch before Thanksgiving and in time for the Holidays.

Price

Yoshihiro Miro, senior managing director for Nintendo, has confirmed that Wii will cost no more than ¥25,000 in Japan or US$250 in America. A Nintendo spokesman has said that the price in the UK "will be in line with Japanese and US prices announced" (which is roughly £150 as of 2006). Nintendo intends to have 6 million console units and 17 million software units released by March 31, 2007.

As for the price of the games, despite the price point of US$60 quoted for many next-generation games, Satoru Iwata said in an interview that he could not imagine that any first-party games would cost more than US$50.

Expected launch titles

While the following titles have been reported to be available at launch, an official list has not been released by Nintendo. The list includes:

Hardware

Design

Wii is the smallest stationary console Nintendo has ever manufactured, described by Nintendo as being "about the thickness of three standard DVD cases and only slightly longer". The console will have the ability to stand either horizontally or vertically. The front of the console features a self-loading media drive which is illuminated by a blue light and will accept 12 cm Wii game discs, 8 cm GameCube game discs and, with an additional purchase, DVDs. Being able to load different sized discs is uncommon in slot-loading media drives, which typically only accept discs of a single size.

Nintendo has shown hardware in various colors (platinum, lime green, white, black, blue and red). The most recent press release state the final colors of the console are still to be announced.

The systems shown at E3 2006 and in various trailers appear to have several small changes from the original design. Not only had Nintendo branding on the case been replaced with a 'Wii' logo but the disc loading slot was enlarged slightly, the reset button was moved (from next to the eject button to the power button), and the power indicator light was moved (from next to the power button to located inside the button). However, the systems shown at E3 2006 were still prototypes, as Nintendo has not finalized the specs for Wii.

The port for the sensor bar, a device used for the Wii Remote's pointer functionality, appears to be to the left of the power adaptor cord, closer to the bottom of the back of the system. This port has not appeared in any former Wii hardware images, including images received in Nintendo's E3 media press kit.

Controller

The primary controller for Wii uses a one handed, remote control-based design, which when turned on its side can be used like an NES gamepad. The controller communicates wirelessly with the console via Bluetooth with which it is possible to operate up to four controllers as far as ten meters from the console. Using internal sensors and an external sensor bar placed near the display screen, the movement and orientation of the Wii Remote, also informally called the Wii-mote, can be sensed. The controller has vibrational force feedback functionality and an internal speaker for audio.

The Wii Remote features an expansion port, with which it is possible to augment the controller with various shells and add-ons. Nintendo has announced several such expansions, including a Nunchuk controller which features an analog stick, a Classic Controller for playing games that require more traditional gamepad functionality (such as Virtual Console games), and a "Zapper Style" shell for traditional shooting gameplay. The Nunchuk controller will also have motion sensing capabilities.

Competitors' reactions have been muted. While Sony revealed the PS3's "Kinetic" controller that can sense movement and orientation in all 6 degrees (fully internal sensing of rotational orientation and translational acceleration) of motion at E3, representatives have denied that it was in response to the Wii's controller. Microsoft, which has experimented with motion-sensing PC controllers in the past, has been dismissive of the technology's viability for mainstream gaming.

In an interview between Shigeru Miyamoto and Kotaku, Miyamoto revealed that Nintendo hopes to allow Wii controllers to be personalized for each gamer. Applications would include different game settings determined by the preferences of the controller that turned on the console.

Connectivity

Wii will have built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi connectivity allowing communication over the Internet via wireless networking. Connectivity with Nintendo DS utilizes the Wi-Fi capability. Nintendo has stated that Wii will have a standard interface for Wi-Fi. An optional USB adapter will permit network connectivity via wired Ethernet as well.

In addition, the console incorporates Bluetooth wireless communication, with which it communicates with the wireless Wii Remote controller. Connectivity with other Bluetooth devices has not been mentioned.

Wii has a flip lid which can be opened to reveal four ports for GameCube controllers and two GameCube memory card slots. Two USB ports (at the rear) and one SD card slot (at the front of the console) are provided. Additionally, at E3 2005, Nintendo revealed that a small internal attachment to be sold as an add-on to the console will allow Wii to play DVD-Video. There will also be a port for the Wii Remote's sensor bar on the final version.

Technical specifications

Nintendo has released very little detailed information at present concerning the technical specifications of the Wii console. Some details have however been released by Nintendo and other third parties involved with the console:

Processors:

• CPU: IBM PowerPC processor codenamed "Broadway" (made with a 90 nm SOI CMOS process)
• GPU: ATI "Hollywood" (made with a 90 nm CMOS process, )

Memory:

• Amount of RAM unconfirmed

Ports and peripheral capabilities:

• Up to Four Wii Remote controllers (connected wirelessly via Bluetooth)
• One SD memory card slot
• Two USB 2.0 ports
• One Sensor Bar port
• Four Nintendo GameCube controller ports
• Two Nintendo GameCube memory card ports
• Compatible with optional USB 2.0 Ethernet LAN adaptor

Storage:

• 512 MB built-in flash memory
• Expansion available via SD memory card and USB 2.0 ports

Playable media:

• Slot-loading disc drive compatible with:
  • 12cm Wii optical disc (single or dual layer) (4.7 GB Single layer; 8.7 GB Dual Layer)
  • 8cm GameCube optical disc
  • DVD Video (dongle required)
• Virtual Console games accessed from flash memory

Built-in content ratings systems:

• PEGI, ESRB, CERO, and OFLC

Networking:

• Wi-Fi by Broadcom
• Standardized Bluetooth by Broadcom

Video:

• Up to 480p and will work with a computer monitor as well as any TV or projector
• Component (including Progressive scan), composite or S-Video output
• 16:9 support

Audio:

• Main: Stereo - Dolby Pro Logic II-capable
• Controller: Built-in speaker

Features

Gameplay

Nintendo has stated that as the name "Wii" implies, the system is designed not just for hardcore gamers with developed gaming skills, but for everyone. Nintendo expects that gameplay on Wii will feel "so natural and real, as soon as players use the controller, their minds will spin with the possibilities of how this will change gaming as we know it today”. While most people can swing a golf club or bat, they may not have the gaming experience to do so while aiming with both thumbs. Wii removes this with its accelerometer and sensor driven controller design which allows players to use natural movements for natural actions.

Backward compatibility

Nintendo has stated that Wii will be backward compatible with all GameCube software and most peripherals. This backwards compatibility is achieved through a set of ports on top of the Wii concealed by a panel. There are four GCN controller ports and two GCN memory card slots as there were on the GameCube itself, so automatically the GameCube microphone should be compatible, as well as the GameCube to Game Boy Advance Cable. One notable attachment for the GameCube that doesn't seem compatible with Wii is the Game Boy Player, due to how the unit is attached at the base of the GameCube.

Virtual Console

This service will allow users to download and play games from the NES, Super NES, and Nintendo 64, as well as Mega Drive/Genesis and TurboGrafx 16. Not every title will be made available; a "best of" selection will be. Nintendo has stated that this service, "also will be home to new games conceived by indie developers whose creativity is larger than their budgets."

WiiConnect24

At E3 2006, Nintendo announced WiiConnect24, a feature of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection that will allow the user to remain connected to the Internet in standby mode, during which the console consumes very little power. Some possibilities of WiiConnect24 that were mentioned at E3 2006 included allowing friends visit the player's village in games like Animal Crossing, and downloading new updates for games while not playing or while in standby mode.

It has also been said that it would be possible to download DS promotional demos from WiiConnect24 and later download it onto one's Nintendo DS (also see DS Connectivity).

Internet connectivity

Nintendo has partnered with Opera Software to provide the Opera web browser for the system. It has announced that it will not be sold as a separate item. Wii can connect to an internet connection either wirelessly using WiFi, or using a USB to ethernet adaptor.

In an interview at Cubed3, with Opera's Executive Vice President with Opera for Devices, Scott Hedrick, some new details were uncovered regarding the Opera web-browser. Opera's web-browser will be saved in Wii's Flash ROM, and can be accessed within seconds on Wii. The browser has also been confirmed to support Javascript.

One interesting snippet of the interview is as follows:

"C3: Will the Opera Wii Browser be integrated into any games?"

"SH: In addition to being a full Web browser, Opera also serves as a presentation engine for devices, such as set-top boxes. This means that you it is possible to create dynamic Web-based applications and user interfaces using Web technology running on Opera – avoiding the use of native code such as C++. Nintendo has not released information on its specific use of Opera, but one can imagine the possibilities of what a browser can deliver to a game on a console that is always connected beyond simply browsing the Web."

DS connectivity

Wii will support connectivity with the Nintendo DS. Shigeru Miyamoto said Nintendo was still working out when it would be available, but that it would be soon after the launch of the system due to the popularity of the Nintendo DS. The connectivity would allow the player to do things like use the Nintendo DS's microphone and touchscreen as inputs for Wii games. It has also been confirmed that the Nintendo DS will be able to play game demos download from Wii which would receive them from Nintendo.

In a recent interview found with TechOn!, a Japanese website, Satoru Iwata went into more detail on how DS Demos on Wii would be downloaded onto Wii using the WiiConnect24 service.

Player caricatures and profiles

In an interview between Wired News and Katsuya Eguchi, producer of Animal Crossing and Wii Sports, it was confirmed once more that the custom player face feature shown in Nintendo's E3 Media Briefing is built into the hardware, and is part of a "Profile" system which contains the caricature and other information that is yet to be determined. The tool being constructed for this caricature creation also includes the option to use several pre-made images for the less "artistically inclined."

Parental controls

Wii will feature parental controls, prohibiting younger users from playing games with content unsuitable for their age level. When a disc is inserted, it will read the content rating encoded on the game discs; if this rating is greater than the system's set "age level", the game will not load without a correct override password. For instance, a game carrying an ESRB rating of M for Mature, which is intended for those age 17 and older, will not play on a system that is set to only allow games rated T for Teen (ages 13 and older) or below.

It is confirmed that the European units will use the PEGI rating system, and North American units will use the ESRB rating system. While Nintendo has stated that parental control will be included in all Wii consoles worldwide, it has not yet clarified whether that means Wii will support the native rating systems of other territories, such as that of CERO in Japan, the USK in Germany, or the OFLC in Australia.

Expected software library

Games from many widely-known franchises are under production for Wii. Some example franchises are:

First party

Animal Crossing Donkey Kong Fire Emblem The Legend of Zelda Metroid Prime Super Mario WarioWare Second party Battalion Wars Super Smash Bros. Brawl Third party Need For Speed Resident Evil Medal of Honor Sonic the Hedgehog Third party developer support Many companies, from Activision and EA to Square Enix and Ubisoft, have announced development of games for Wii. A more complete list of confirmed developers can be found on Gamespot. The development kits for Wii cost $2000 US. By comparison, the PlayStation 2 development kits cost $20,000 US at the console's launch, with the original PlayStation's SDK costing $4000-$5000 US at launch. There is also going to be the opportunity for low budget independent development, with the Virtual Console acting as a digital distribution service. Name On April 272006, Nintendo changed the Revolution section of their official website, http://wii.nintendo.com, to announce the official name of the console. Nintendo spells "Wii" with two "i"s to imply an image of players gathering together, as well as to represent the console's controllers. "When we first thought about it, myself and others felt that the name Revolution was very appropriate to what we were doing," Shigeru Miyamoto told CNN Money recently, "but Revolution is a name that was almost threatening to non-gamers. It wasn't acceptable. So we thought this was more friendly and inviting." Wii sounds like 'we,' which emphasizes that the console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii. — Reggie Fils-Aime on the name The company's decision to name the system "Wii" has met with both acceptance and some disdain from potential consumers and industry insiders. According to Forbes magazine, comments by message board users at Nintendo's website have ranged from attempts at "toilet humoresque catchphrases" to complaints against the name's "kiddiness". Various Nintendo executives have said that they knew it was likely that there would be a negative reaction to the name. During Nintendo's pre-E3 2006 press conference, Reggie Fils-Aime joked about the name, saying, "We want to thank everyone who wrote good things about the name the day you heard it... both of you." Since E3, it seems as though more people have accepted the name than when it was first announced. Criticisms While the Wii has had a very positive reaction from within the gaming industry from third party developers as well as gamers, the system has not escaped criticism, particularly concerning the controller design. Katamari Damacy creator, Keita Takahashi, expressed a disinterest in Wii because of Nintendo's emphasis on the freehand control interface over the classic control interface. On the subject, Keita said, "I see what trying to do, but they're putting such emphasis on the controller; 'Woah, this controller lets you do this!' and I'm thinking - are you messing with us?" In addition to the issues surrounding fatigue while using the the controller, there have been questions speculated in the general internet population related to the controller's needed use of general wrist and arm movement as possibly leading to repetive stress injuries (RSI); it has been well documented that standard game controllers can cause injury in children as young as eight years old (see trigger finger). However, those who have studied RSI say that the Wii Remote uses less of the tendons in the wrist that cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome than the button presses of a typical controller or analog stick; the movements of the controller instead work the larger muscles of the arm and shoulder. This reliance on larger muscle groups that are designed for more strenuous activity (rather than the smaller hand tendons) results in a controller that is far less likely to cause RSI. See also v t e Dedicated consoles Home Original APF TV Fun series Coleco Telstar series Arcade Marksman Color TV-Game Plug It In & Play TV Games Stunt Cycle Video Pinball Retro Atari Flashback series C64 Direct-to-TV NES Classic Edition PlayStation Classic Sega Genesis Mini Super NES Classic Edition TurboGrafx-16 Mini Handheld Bemani Pocket Coleco Sonic Game & Watch VG Pocket Max Pokémon Pikachu Tomytronic 3D List List of Wii games Nintendo GameCube Nintendo DS Nintendo DS Lite List of video games published by Nintendo History of video game consoles (seventh generation) Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection References ^ Anderson, Peter (2006-05-10). "E3 2006: Nintendo Wii 'Fourth Quarter' Release". Game Power Australia. Retrieved 2006-05-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) ^ "Nintendo Wii - Hardware Information". Nintendo. Retrieved 2006-05-09. Cite error: The named reference "hard_inf" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). Satoru Iwata. "TOKYO GAME SHOW 2005 : TGS FORUM Keynote Speech". Retrieved 2006-03-15. Billy Berghammer (2006-06-02). "The Ultimate in PR Spin: The Perrin Kaplan Interview". Game Informer. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) "Wii to cost $250 or less". Nintendo® The Official Magazine. 2006-05-24. Retrieved 2006-05-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Gaudiosi, John (2006-09-14). "Game Pricing". Next Generation. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Morris, Chris. "Nintendo president vows cheap games". CNNMoney. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |Date= ignored (|date= suggested) (help) Wales, Matt (2006-05-22). "Reports claim Wii to slap down 16 at launch". Computer and Video Games. Retrieved 2006-05-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, |accessyear=, and |coauthors= (help) Casamassina, Matt (2006-05-23). "Wii Hardware Changed". IGN Wii. Retrieved 2006-05-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, |accessyear=, and |coauthors= (help) "Nintendo Wii - Controllers". Nintendo of America. Retrieved 2006-05-27. "SCE ANNOUNCES NEW CONTROLLER FOR PLAYSTATION®3" (PDF) (Press release). Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. 2006-05-09. Retrieved 2006-05-24. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Template:De icon Stöcker, Christian (2006-05-31). ""Wir brauchen den PC nicht"" (in German). SPIEGEL ONLINE. Retrieved 2006-06-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Thorsen, Tor (2006-05-31). "Harrison denies Wii influence PS3 controller". Gamespot. Retrieved 2006-06-01. Totilo, Stephen (2006-05-25). "Bill Gates Wary Of Motion-Sensitive Controllers, Solo Gaming". MTV News. Retrieved 2006-06-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, and |accessyear= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) Crecente, Brian (2006-05-19). "Shigeru Miyamoto Interview". Kotaku.com. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) ^ Template:Ja icon "Wiiの概要 (Wii本体)". Nintendo. Retrieved 2006-05-22. ^ Casamassina, Matt. "IGNcube's Nintendo "Revolution" FAQ". Retrieved 2006-03-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help) Casamassina, Matt (2006-05-23). "No Dolby Digital for Wii". IGN Wii. Retrieved 2006-05-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, |accessyear=, and |coauthors= (help) Nintendo (2005-09-15). "Nintendo Reveals 'Revolution'-ary Controller in Keynote Speech". Nintendo. Retrieved 2006-06-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) ref name="Gamasutra WiiConnect24">url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9556 "A Web Revolution in the Living room: Opera partners with Nintendo to put browser on the Wii™ game console" (Press release). Opera Software. 2006-05-10. Retrieved 2006-05-26. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Casamassina, Matt (2006-05-23). "Wii's World Wide Web". IGN Wii. Retrieved 2006-05-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Temperton, James (2006-06-03). "Interview: Opera's Nintendo Wii Browser". Cubed3. Retrieved 2006-06-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Crecente, Brian (2006-05-19). "E306 Video: Shigeru Miyamoto Interview". Kotaku. Retrieved 2006-05-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Asami, Naoki (2006-05-25). "Regaining what we have lost : Nintendo CEO Iwata's Ambitions for the "Wii"". Tech-On!. Retrieved 2006-06-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Kohler, Chris. "Confirmed: Wii Hardware Stores Player Caricatures, Profiles". Wired. Retrieved 2006-06-03. "Revolution To Feature Parental Controls". 2005-11-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) "Nintendo Announces Play Control System For Next Hardware" (Press release). Nintendo of America. 2005-11-16. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Tochen, Dan. "E3 06: Super Mario Galaxy leads first wave of Wii games". GameSpot. Retrieved 2006-05-09. Casamassina, Matt (2006-02-22). "Reggie: More than 1,000 Kits Shipped". IGN. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) "Nintendo Wii: Philosophy". Retrieved 2006-05-26. Morris, Chris. "Mario creator outlines Nintendo strategy". CNNMoney.com. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |Date= ignored (|date= suggested) (help) Olson, Parmy (2006-04-28). "Iwata's Nintendo Lampooned For 'Wii'". Forbes.com. Retrieved 2006-05-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Block, Ryan (2006-05-15). "The Engadget & Joystiq Interview: Nintendo's Perrin Kaplan". Joystiq. Retrieved 2006-05-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Fahey, Rob (2006-05-03). "Wii is "fresh and all-encompassing" - Yarnton". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2006-05-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Surette, Tim (2006-05-09). "E3 06: Wii unveiled at Nintendo's E3 conference". GameSpot. Retrieved 2006-05-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) Grant, Christopher (2006-06-01). "Wii takes "Best of Show" from E3 awards". Joystiq. Retrieved 2006-06-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Klepek, Patrick (2005-04-19). "Katamari Creator Down on Revolution". 1Up. Retrieved 2006-06-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Olsen, Stefanie (2005-05-19). "Is tech injuring children?". CNet News. Retrieved 2006-06-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) RSI-Relief Blog (2005-05-11). "A Better Video Game Controller?". RSI-relief.com. Retrieved 2006-06-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) External links Official wii.nintendo.com - Official Wii page Nintendo of Japan - Nintendo President, Satoru Iwata, media briefing speech at E3 2006 Wii at E3 - Nintendo E3 2006 coverage Non-official Cubed3.com - Wii Directory Gamespot.com - Wii coverage IGN.com - Wii coverage TheWiire.com - Wii only coverage v t e Nintendo video game hardware Consoles Home NES official models Super NES Nintendo 64 iQue Player GameCube Wii Wii U Handheld Game Boy Game Boy Color Game Boy Advance SP Micro Pokémon Mini Nintendo DS Lite DSi Nintendo 3DS 2DS New 3DS New 2DS XL Switch Lite Portable Virtual Boy Switch Dedicated Home Color TV-Game NES Classic Edition Super NES Classic Edition Handheld Game & Watch Mini Classics Pokémon Pikachu Peripherals Lists NES Super NES N64 Game Boy GCN DS Wii Remote Add-ons Famicom Data Recorder Famicom Disk System Famicom 3D System Super NES CD-ROM (unreleased) Super Game Boy Rumble Pak Game Boy Camera Game Boy Printer Transfer Pak 64DD e-Reader Game Boy Player Wii MotionPlus Connectivity NES Satellite NES Four Score Game Link Cable GCN – GBA Link Cable GBA Wireless Adapter Controllers NES Zapper Family BASIC R.O.B. NES Advantage Super NES Mouse Super Scope Nintendo 64 GameCube WaveBird Wireless Wii Remote Classic Controller Wii Zapper Wii Balance Board Wii U GamePad Wii U Pro Joy-Con Nintendo Switch Pro Poké Ball Plus Networking Family Computer Network System Satellaview Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector Other Nintendo Power Wii Speak Amiibo Arcade VS. System PlayChoice-10 Integrated circuits 2A03 5A22 CIC Super NES enhancement chips Super FX GameCube technical specifications Gekko Broadway Hollywood PICA200 Espresso Tegra X1 Media Game Pak NES Super NES Game Boy N64 Game Boy Advance Video Play-Yan Nintendo optical discs Nintendo Game Card Template:Nintendo Wi-Fi

• Nintendo consoles
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• Wii