April 27th, 2006
Oui (or Wii), That IS the Name
By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
The Nintendo Revolution is now known as the Wii. And that’s pronouned “we”, or “oui” or “whee” … but you get the point. Honestly, I figured Revolution was a good name, and based on today’s Nintendo statement, so did they … to a point anyway.
“While the code-name ‘Revolution’ expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer,” Said Nintendo. “Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else. Wii will put people more in touch with their games … and each other. But you’re probably asking: What does the name mean? Wii sounds like ‘we,’ which emphasizes this console is for everyone.” Source: MTV
We Say: Nintendo went on to say that “… it’s really not about you or me. It’s about Wii.” At this point of the press release I started to feel as I did earlier this week when I was sick. A little (or a lot) too saccharine for me.
I really liked the name Revolution, and can foresee a long period of time (before people get over it) of joking about this name. Really, do you want to name your gaming system with the word young children use for a certain bodily function? Or would you rather name your system something that grabs people from the start? Something like Rev — oh, wait, that’s been done. 
Rob says:
Seriously, I don’t know what they were thinking. Philosophically it’s nice and all, but when you’re trying to win over the hearts and minds of gamers (many of whom are young enough to have to convince their parents to buy them a ‘Wii’ for Christmas/Birthday/Whatever) this is just a disaster waiting to happen.
While ‘Revolution’ wasn’t exactly a … well, revolutionary choice of name, it had a much stronger (and more positive) connotation than a word that’s more or less equivalent to a child’s term for urine. The press and the media are going to have a field day with this…
April 27th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
Terrence says:
Well the controller is unorthodox and now the name, however i understand the reason behind the name. and i am waiting to purchase one. it is a fact that people will make fun of the name but it the system fails, its not because of the name “Wii” its because the name “Nintendo”. you can walk down the street and mention “Nintendo” and many who are familiar with videogames will say “it sucks, its for 4 year olds, and the graphics are awful.” it’s like if you mention “Ford” and everyone’s reaction is “don’t get it! they will be in the shop more than on the road!”, systemic. Like the Gamecube, its going to be a really good system, that everyone will underestimate. i only see it doing well in the market because the Xbox 360 is not so great regardless of the graphics, and the PS3 is just too damn expensive, especially the $60 games.
April 27th, 2006 at 5:37 pm
LM says:
With a name like Wii and the uproar over it, I’d be surprised if Nintedo would release the console with the current controller that we’ve seen. It is too radical a concept and couple that with the name, well they’ll either release a standard wifi controller or become the next purchase of Microsoft. I’m not being anti-Nintedo, I hope they do release it with that controller, I just have my doubts.
April 27th, 2006 at 6:56 pm
Gord says:
Oui, French for yes. Surprised no one here brought it up.
April 27th, 2006 at 11:30 pm
jfb3 says:
But if they kept the name “Revolution” they’d probably have a hard time getting it past the Chinese government (since they got the revolution they wanted they won’t brook any mention of another). And I’m sure they want a shot at the market in China. (Who wouldn’t.)
They probably have similar concerns about other countries.
April 28th, 2006 at 12:53 am
Yan says:
What a crappy name..
Wii like Weeeeeeeeeeee!
(Check it out, funny stuff)
April 28th, 2006 at 4:49 am
Yan says:
Darn sorry guys, Wrong link.. Alice, delete comment #5
Wii like Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
April 28th, 2006 at 4:51 am
Lockergnome's Tech News Watch says:
Is E3 Finished? Perhaps Not
Michael Santo of RealTechNews writes: E3 probably won’t mean anything to you unless you are a gamer, but it’s the Electronic Entertainment Expo, run by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). It is reportedly the world’s largest annual trade s…
August 1st, 2006 at 6:57 pm
Where to buy wii says:
Today it’s November 1st, 2007 - About a year after its launch, the wii is the best selling gaming console in the world!
November 1st, 2007 at 2:08 am