Wii Remote Controller

Bedazzled and tantalized could best summarize what the gaming public felt after Nintendo presented its newest product, the Wii, in Tuesdays E3 press conference parade. Gamers were bedazzled in the wake of the demonstration of the advanced Wii remote controller system but at the same time left tantalized as Nintendo opted not to make any announcement with regards to price and availability.

The anticipation with regards to price and availability of Wii is understandable as a reaction to a precedent set by Sony when it announced the price and available of its own PlayStation3. PlayStation 3 will be available in a 20 GB hard drive version priced at $ 499 and a 60 GB hard drive model priced at $ 599. Release date in North America will be Nov. 17

The technology that caught the attention of those in attendance was a two-handed, motion-sensitive remote controller which, as revealed in the demonstration, afforded the user with virtually unhindered range of motion and decree of flexibility in terms of control. Games that necessitate near-as-humanly-possible movement for maximum gaming experience such as sports and fighting games are perceived to be the primary recipients of the benefits offered by the new system.

At the same time that Nintendo demonstrated the capabilities of its new controller, it also took time to present the 27 games that will be available for Wii. Thus it decided to hold back news regarding price and release date so that the attention of gamers will be focused on the gaming experience underpinning Wii.

Aside from the need to keep the features of the remote controller and the accompanying catalog of games on center stage, Nintendo executive vice president for sales and marketing Reggie Fils-Aime took time to react on the mixed reception to the new consoles name. He admitted that the name may take some time to be accepted by fans but added that the company feels the name (a homonym of we) is representative of Nintendos aim to make the game more accessible to and inclusive of the mass-base of players who patronize its products.

We want to thank everyone who wrote good things about it the day you heard about it, declared Fils-Aime. He added he extended his gratitude to all those who presented their reaction to the new name regardless the content of reaction.

Due to the fact that Wii will target hard-core gamers as well as the majority of players who settle for simple fun games, it could be inferred that the cost for the Wii will be lower than that of PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Further filling up the information gaps, Nintendo mentioned that the console will be available fourth quarter of 2006.