The Revolution is over! Nintendo Wii it is.
by Ajari Wilson · in General Discussion · 04/27/2006 (1:24 pm) · 35 replies
April 27, 2006 - Nintendo revealed this morning that the official name of its formerly codenamed Revolution system is Nintendo Wii.
The Big N explained the decision behind the name in a statement, which we've provided below:
Introducing... Wii.
As in "we."
While the code-name Revolution expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer. Wii will break down that wall that seperates videogame 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 the console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.
Wii has a distinctive "ii" spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people playing it. And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of videogames that sets it apart from the crowd.
So that's Wii. But now Nintendo needs you. Because it's really not about you or me. It's about Wii. And together, Wii will change everything.
The Big N explained the decision behind the name in a statement, which we've provided below:
Introducing... Wii.
As in "we."
While the code-name Revolution expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer. Wii will break down that wall that seperates videogame 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 the console is for everyone. Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.
Wii has a distinctive "ii" spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people playing it. And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of videogames that sets it apart from the crowd.
So that's Wii. But now Nintendo needs you. Because it's really not about you or me. It's about Wii. And together, Wii will change everything.
#2
04/27/2006 (2:05 pm)
And this little piggy went "Wii Wii Wii" all the way home ...
#3
I wonder if Nintendo is going to have "We are the world" playing at their demo booth at E3 this year. I agree with Mr. Bond.
I'm still interested in the system though.
lol "Wii are the world, Wii are the future, Wii are the ones who make a better..."
04/27/2006 (2:16 pm)
The article made it sound like Nintendo is more interested in world peace and unity than creating a game system (Of course we all should be but that's a whole other topic).I wonder if Nintendo is going to have "We are the world" playing at their demo booth at E3 this year. I agree with Mr. Bond.
I'm still interested in the system though.
lol "Wii are the world, Wii are the future, Wii are the ones who make a better..."
#4
04/27/2006 (2:18 pm)
Well I will be buying Wii (however not off ebay, because i may get a bottle of Wii), but i will always refer to it as the revolution.
#5
04/27/2006 (3:31 pm)
Yeah I think the universality of the word play fails to take into account simple english conotations of the sound. The concept isn't bad, and the logo for it looks neat, it's just not something you can... say. 
#6
04/27/2006 (3:35 pm)
Wow, that's a dumb name.
#7
04/27/2006 (4:06 pm)
Just imagine a typical car journey with excitable kids in the back. They're hammering on about how much they want a Wii in the persistant nagging way that only kids and wives know how to do. As an attentive parent, what can you do but pull over and let your child avail themselves of the nearest facilites ?
#8
Too funny man...when I first saw the post, I said to myself,"Oh, crap...another noob who didn't bother to check for spelling and grammar before posting."
Maybe they'll be a port of x3:reunion for it. Fighting Khaa'ak on your Wii. That's what I'm talking about baby.
- Alan
04/27/2006 (4:21 pm)
@AjariToo funny man...when I first saw the post, I said to myself,"Oh, crap...another noob who didn't bother to check for spelling and grammar before posting."
Maybe they'll be a port of x3:reunion for it. Fighting Khaa'ak on your Wii. That's what I'm talking about baby.
- Alan
#9
04/27/2006 (5:03 pm)
I had to check other sites to be sure this wasn't a joke. That is an absolutely appalling name, what are they playing at? Revolution was cool, we is just stupid. It's amazing what a name can do because this renaming is rather offputting, I really don't want to say "I have a Nintendo wii", or "Want to come and play with my Wii", seriously is Nintendo's marketing department honestly this stupid.
#10
I like their logo animation.. especially the japanese bow at the end =) a nice touch.
04/27/2006 (7:00 pm)
Here is the link to the logo animation that put the "Wii" more in context. I can understand what they're playing at with the "ii" as in people... check it out!I like their logo animation.. especially the japanese bow at the end =) a nice touch.
#11
04/27/2006 (7:32 pm)
The logo and concept is sound. It's just not something the english speaking populace is going to accept I think. Maybe call it "US" for them ;P
#12
Wii can be marketed as a consumer product for the entire family. Mom and Dad don't want a games console but they may just want a Wii because it brings the family togeather! The Revolution name needs you to understand the games industry, its just another games consol. The Wii is something new.
The more I think about it the more sence it makes. Remember that for 99% of the population the first look they will ever get will be TV ads. It will put the name in context. The first reaction people will get is of a family targeted entertainment device . Reading on a web site after a year of another name gives us time to formulate our own ideas. Sure we get the time to think "wee" *giggle giggle* but when you get an amazing ad on your tv or at the movies that puts Wii into context you will just be going, wow cool! I be we could have fun with that!
04/27/2006 (8:19 pm)
I think Nintendo is trying to separate itself from what has come before. Revolution was a good name for gamers but didn't mean anything to the new market N is trying to target, mom, day, grandma and grandpa. If you don't know much about games Revolution made no sence at all. Wii can be marketed as a consumer product for the entire family. Mom and Dad don't want a games console but they may just want a Wii because it brings the family togeather! The Revolution name needs you to understand the games industry, its just another games consol. The Wii is something new.
The more I think about it the more sence it makes. Remember that for 99% of the population the first look they will ever get will be TV ads. It will put the name in context. The first reaction people will get is of a family targeted entertainment device . Reading on a web site after a year of another name gives us time to formulate our own ideas. Sure we get the time to think "wee" *giggle giggle* but when you get an amazing ad on your tv or at the movies that puts Wii into context you will just be going, wow cool! I be we could have fun with that!
#13
Now don't throw your arms up and cry "Why I'm 47 and I love "X" or "Y" console, or PC Game" or whatever. Trust me, you're the exception and not the rule. Day in and day out I deal with folks who couldn't tell the difference between a graphics card and a garden rake. You think I'm joking.
Using the demands of a typical cutting edge game to describe the peformance capabilities of a PC and the imediate response is "I don't play games." The pupose of EVEN THE ILLUSTRATION of the fact that games drive a system to its edge is lost on them. They're not going to see an ad and suddenly "See the Light", start jumping up and down and saying, "That's what's been missing from my life!". They'll shake their heads, go back to playing solitaire and frown, grumbling "what a waste of time and money". Target your market, and target it hard, else it's just a bunch of Wii in the wind.
04/27/2006 (9:03 pm)
I work Retail Electronics for a living (yes, God have mercy upon my soul and mind), and I can tell you if Nintendo is in fact targeting the "family-togetherness" and "grandma, grandpa" market they're shooting themselves in the foot. I don't care how much the ads promote world peace and family togetherness, the consumer in those age brackets (mom and dad over let's say 45ish, grandma & grandpa) are *CLUELESS* and *COMPLETELY* uninterested in gaming on *ANY* platform, period. Now don't throw your arms up and cry "Why I'm 47 and I love "X" or "Y" console, or PC Game" or whatever. Trust me, you're the exception and not the rule. Day in and day out I deal with folks who couldn't tell the difference between a graphics card and a garden rake. You think I'm joking.
Using the demands of a typical cutting edge game to describe the peformance capabilities of a PC and the imediate response is "I don't play games." The pupose of EVEN THE ILLUSTRATION of the fact that games drive a system to its edge is lost on them. They're not going to see an ad and suddenly "See the Light", start jumping up and down and saying, "That's what's been missing from my life!". They'll shake their heads, go back to playing solitaire and frown, grumbling "what a waste of time and money". Target your market, and target it hard, else it's just a bunch of Wii in the wind.
#14
04/27/2006 (9:09 pm)
Yeah i dont think nintendo will lose any sales from the name, since only geeks, kids, and foreigners are gonna be buying it. but its still an incredibly dumb name for a videogame system to me. NOA should come up with some other names for it and mention Wii as just one of its names maybe. itll be funny to hear the guy with the deep gravelly voice in the videogame commercials going "Out now for the Nintendo Wii". 
#15
Nintendo Game Cube gets extended instead of replaced and we all get Nintendo Wii.
04/29/2006 (1:46 am)
Windows 98 gets extended instead of replaced and we all get Windows ME.Nintendo Game Cube gets extended instead of replaced and we all get Nintendo Wii.
#16
04/29/2006 (1:56 am)
Foreigner? They buy video games? Those guys must be like 90 by now.
#17
04/29/2006 (6:18 am)
@ anton Umm revolution is supose to replace the gamecube. hence the old name. It's not just an upgrade its something new. anyway Wii is a pretty gay name.
#19
04/29/2006 (7:05 pm)
It really doesn't make any sense though. I mean, the new system isn't a crappy "upgrade" of the Gamecube like ME was to 98. And Wii is a horrible gay name, I wouldn't even consider going out with a guy named that. 
Torque 3D Owner James Bond
Actually I like nintendo, but one hopes that somethng was lost in translation. Wii is just a lame name. Revolution was somethnig to be expectant of. Wii, i can already see the one liners. Like do want to come and play with my Wii. Very bad Nintendo.