wII

The Wii is a home video game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in November 2006 and became notable for its emphasis on accessible, motion-based gameplay rather than traditional button-driven control. As part of the seventh generation of video game consoles, the Wii competed with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360.

The system introduced the Wii Remote, a wireless motion-sensing controller that can be used as a pointing device and motion controller, often paired with a Nunchuk. Optional accessories include the MotionPlus add-on, the Classic Controller, and the Wii Balance Board for fitness titles. The Wii is backward compatible with most GameCube software and accessories, though some later hardware revisions lack the controller ports.

Wii games were distributed on 12-centimeter optical discs and could be stored on SD cards; the console supported online features through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, the Wii Shop Channel, and digital distribution services such as WiiWare and Virtual Console. It shipped with software like Wii Sports to showcase motion controls and broaden its appeal.

The Wii achieved broad appeal and strong sales, surpassing 100 million units sold worldwide. It played a major role in expanding video games to a wider, more casual audience and influenced subsequent motion-controlled initiatives. Its successor, the Wii U, released in 2012, built on the same basic concept with higher-definition graphics and a tablet-like controller. Nintendo ceased production of the Wii in 2013, and online services have since been retired.