Where Are They Going with Nintendo Wii? a Peak into Virtual Reality Gaming

Nintendo has taken a backseat in the handheld and console games division lately, trailing behind Sony’s Playstations and the Microsoft Xbox in popularity and market exposure. The Nintendo Gamecube created a strong interest for avid Nintendo-fans, but a new development is on the horizon. 

This fall and winter the debut of Nintendo Wii (pronounced ‘we’) is preparing to launch with an entirely new concept; this handheld device incorporates the versatility of a gaming ‘wand’ and a simple console that looks similar to a portable hard drive.

The inspiration comes from the world of virtual reality, with the handheld remote serving as a point-and-shoot device outfitted with motion sensors, detectors, and vibrating features. Games include ramped up versions of tennis, golf, Super Mario, and other Nintendo classics that will take on new forms as players learn to use the handheld device in place of any other game communication tool to date.

Nintendo Wii may be a much-needed ‘step back’ in sophistication and design in comparison to today’s thriving but growing video game market. With an increased emphasis on graphics and technological design, video games today have taken on the signature movie-like DVD-quality that game addicts have become accustomed to. Nintendo Wii hopes to capture some new game players, extending a basic, simple, and efficient design console perfect for families, younger players, and elderly.

The Nintendo Wii remote is composed of motion detectors, signals, and a vibrating feature to coincide with a variety of active games. Instead of using a mouse, joystick, or other navigational pad for the majority of games, players physically hold the remote as if it was a part of the game.