Games HOT SPOT - Hardware & Accessories

Wii

First things first; it's pronounced as the English pronoun "we". The Wii is the fifth home video game console released by Nintendo, and so far it has met with phenomenal success sales-wise. The most distinguishing feature of the Wii is its unique wireless controller (called the Wiimote), which can be used as a handheld pointing device and can recognise movement and acceleration in three dimensions.

Basically, and in layman's terms, this thing rocks. If you require proof, you can quickly experience how good it is by playing Wii Sports, a game that comes bundled free with the console. Using the Wiimote (and an attachment called a nunchuck - also included) you and your mates can indulge in loungeroom versions of tennis, baseball, bowling and boxing. It has to be said that we're a huge fan of Wii Sports, and it has curried our favour by featuring frantic, accessible multiplayer action that anyone from any age group can get in on - and it's completely free.

Continuing the list of features, Wii also includes backwards compatibility for Nintendo's last machine, the Gamecube, and it also offers functionality with their current handheld DS as well. This interconnectivity with the DS is achieved through the console's wireless capabilities, a feature that will also allow you to connect to the internet, assuming you have a wireless network set up in your home. If you do have one, you can send messages to other Wii users (provided you have their unique Wii number), check the news/weather, surf the net, or log onto Nintendo's shopping channel to download some classic NES, SNES, N64 or Megadrive titles.

The Nintendo Wii is a fantastic little machine for the following reasons: it's quite inexpensive when compared to
the competition, it's simultaneously accessible to hardcore and casual gamers, and it can offer you some of the
best party game fun yet witnessed on your TV. In short, it will quickly earn itself a place of honour in your entertainment unit.