Gift Tip 100: Nintendo Wii

Dec 9 2009, 9:13am CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

In our Top 100 Gift Guide 2008 the Nintendo Wii was the 1st item we featured. In our Top 100 Gift Guide 2009 the Wii is marking our 100th tip. Nintendo cut the price of the Wii in 2009 from $249 to $199 and finally manages to have enough stock for the U.S. holiday shopping season. The Wii is still a great gift and still provides the best motion controlled game play on the market. 2010 will change that and Nintendo needs to come up with something new to keep ahead of the Xbox 360 and the Sony PS3.

The Nintendo Wii makes use of special motion-sensitive controllers that allow you to swing a sword, throw a punch, or drive a car with a flick of the wrist rather than with the push of a button. The recent introduction of the Wii MotionPlus increases the accuracy of motion control. Nintendo's Wii video game system brings people of all ages and video game experience together to play. This simple yet ground-breaking idea is expressed not only though the system's suggestive name, which is easily pronounced in a variety of languages, and suggests two players side by side, but also through its innovative list of features and extensive list of playable titles.

The Nintendo Wii boasts 512 MB of internal flash memory, two USB 2.0 ports, and a slot for SD memory expansion. The system’s technological heart—a processing chip developed with IBM and code-named "Broadway" and a graphics chipset from ATI code-named "Hollywood"—deliver stunning performance. Instead of a tray, the Wii uses a single, self-loading media bay that plays both 12-centimeter optical discs used for the new system, as well as Nintendo GameCube discs, making it fully backwards compatible with all your favorite games. The Wii makes use of built-in Wi-Fi access for easy connection to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection gaming service through your home network.

The revolutionary controller design of the Nintendo Wii offers unique motion-sensitive gameplay options. The built-in Wi-Fi delivers free online services and gameplay. The controller eats batteries and takes some time to get used to. It lacks the graphical prowess and rich media features of the Xbox 360 and the PS3, but the Nintendo Wii's combination of unique motion-sensitive controllers and emphasis on fun gameplay make the ultra-affordable console hard to resist.

Great Gift For
The Nintendo Wii is a great video game console for the whole family.

Price and Where to Buy
The Nintendo Wii is selling for $199.99 on Amazon.com.

This gift tip is part of the I4U News Top 100 Holiday Gift Guide. Find many more tech gift recommendations across 10 categories and shopping tips here.

where to buy

Buy from Amazon

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Luigi Lugmayr
Luigi is the founding chief Editor of I4U News and brings over 15 years experience in the technology field to the ever evolving and exciting world of gadgets. He started I4U News back in 2000 and evolved it into vibrant technology magazine.
Luigi can be contacted directly at ml@i4u.com. Luigi posts regularly on LuigiMe.com about his experience running I4U.