Nintendo Wii: how it works

Nintendo Wii models

Over the years, several models of Nintendo Wii, which I will illustrate below. Specifically, I'm talking about the Wii Mini, more compact and cheaper console than the first Wii, less sold than the classic counterpart, and the Wii U, a true update of the original Wii and progenitor of the modern Nintendo Switch, which did not meet the public's favor and was therefore soon "forgotten".

Wii

Il Original Nintendo Wii it was first released in 2006 and is characterized by some accessories and unique features compared to other consoles of the same generation. For one thing, the Wii is characterized by a type of control altogether wireless, which exploits the a infrared.

Among the accessories that are always distributed in the Wii package, there are the famous infrared controllers, i WiiMote, distributed together with a nunchuck, which is a second mini-controller that, when connected to the WiiMote, is used in games that require the use of both hands.

In the most recent packages, i Wii MotionPlus, accessories that can be connected to the controllers, which give them a more accurate precision in movement. Some games, like Wii Sports Resort, cannot be played without Wii MotionPlus.

In the package there is always one infrared bar, which plugs into the back of the Wii and sits on top of or in front of the TV to allow connectivity with controllers and other accessories input (such as steering wheel or scale for Wii Fit), as well as power pack e composite cable. The internet connection is guaranteed by the Wi-Fi integrated console.

As for memory, the standard Wii model features an input for SD cards e SDHC to 32 GB and an internal memory from 512 MB. This model is completely backward compatible with games and accessories for GameCube via hardware and with older generation consoles via software, through the internal emulator Virtual Console.

Wii Mini

Il Nintendo Wii Mini was released in Europe in 2013, with the aim of reducing the price of the Wii and making it accessible to a wider audience. The reception, however, was really lukewarm, as the console recorded several really important shortcomings.

Unlike the standard Wii, in fact, it is completely no Wi-Fi internet connection (and consequently all the channels connected to it, such as the Wii Shop o WiiConnect24), as well as the slot for expanding the console memory via SD cards, which makes the channel unusable Gallery.

Furthermore, backwards compatibility is not provided with the games and accessories of the GameCube. I recommend that you only get a Wii Mini if ​​you intend to play offline and only want to use the console to play a few games at home with your friends.

In any case, the console is distributed with a WiiMote it's a nunchuck, and is only available in colors black and red.

Wii U

Il Nintendo Wii U represents a real upgrade of the standard Wii, as it introduces a new control system, called Wii U Pad. Together with the console, in fact, a tablet proprietary, which allows you to support some games for portable mode and use additional menus for others.

The need to update the Nintendo Wii to make it competitive with the consoles of its generation, such as PS4 e Xbox One, has led Nintendo to adopt some level upgrades for the Wii U hardware, such as the connection standard HDMI, the display in Full HD 1080p e four USB ports can be used to expand the memory via hard drive.

The development of a new disc reading system, has allowed the creation of some titles exclusive for Wii U, while it remains the complete backward compatibility with games developed for Wii Standard. The console was decommissioned in 2017 after a very lukewarm reception from critics and audiences, following the launch of Nintendo Switch, which instead had overwhelming success.

In this guide I will mainly focus on the most popular of the models, namely the Classic Wii.

How Nintendo Wii Works

Nintendo Wii it's a really simple console to use. In the next few paragraphs I'm going to show you the best methods for connect it to the TV e configure it. Also, I'll show you how you can get new games, even though they are no longer in production.

How to connect Wii to the TV

There are really a lot of ways to connect the Wii to the TV. In case you have the standard version of the console, I invite you to refer to the composite cable that came with your console.

First take the RCA cable and check the back of your TV for the typical inputs yellow, red e White to which the ends are to be connected. If they are not present, you can use any SCART socket, to which you can connect the cable using the supplied adapter.

You can recognize it by the squat and rectangular shape. Whatever the connection on the back of the TV, you must connect the cable to the console through the input named OF MULTI OUT, located on the back of the Nintendo Wii.

Once the first end is connected to the Wii, connect the RCA cable to the TV, using the three output cables or the supplied SCART socket, respecting the order of the colors. This will allow viewing in 720p, across the canal SCART o AV of your TV.

If you want to connect the Nintendo Wii with a cable HDMI, due to the absence of other inputs on your TV, you can refer to some adapters on sale in the main online stores. Some of these adapters allow viewing at 1080p (be aware that the image quality should be the same, but the black bands will be eliminated).

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connect the Nintendo Wii to the TV with HDMI cableFirst, connect the adapter via one end to the input OF MULTI OUT present on the back of the console, so get a common HDMI cable.

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Once this is done, connect aend of the HDMI cable to the adapter, while another end at the entrance which is next to or on the back of your TV. At this point, the signal will be transmitted in one of the channels HDMI of the TV.

Once the console is connected to the TV, all you have to do is take thepower pack and connect the first end of the same to the input 12V IN of the Wii. So, plug the power supply into one pinch (made with three fingers) of the current.

Remember to connect the infrared bar in the appropriate entrance Sensor Bar, before turning on the console with the power button placed in the front of the same. For questions or further information, read my tutorial on how to connect Wii to TV.

How Wii Remote Works

The Wii Remote, or WiiMote, is one of the simplest controllers to use. First, insert the batteries AA into the compartment of the controller, then plug in the snare that is supplied to you by sliding it into the hole on the back.

turn on the Wii, then press the red button in the battery compartment. The controller LEDs will begin to flash, indicating it has entered the mode synchronization. At this point, open the door on the front of the console and press the red button SYNC.

Wait a few seconds, until a single LED lights up blue on the controller. In this way, the controller will be permanently connected to the Wii and the next time you turn it on, all you have to do is press any button to successfully pair it to the console.

Move the controller to display the selection cursor and press the key A to access the Wii home screen. If you want to connect a second controller temporarily, go to the menu Wii Remote Settings, reachable by pressing the key Home on the controller (the one in the shape of a house).

Once this is done, click on the item Reset, then press on the controllers to synchronize the keys 1 e 2 simultaneously. Wait until the controllers are connected and the LEDs on the front stop flashing.

If you are asked on the screen to use a nunchuck, or the extension Wii MotionPlus, take a look at the bottom of the controller. In the input you can see, it is possible to connect the output end of the accessories, which will be automatically recognized by the console.

Through the directional arrows on the controller, it is possible to navigate the menus even without using the motion sensor, while, generally, the keys A e B they are used to confirm or cancel a selection. The keys + e - are used according to the game you want to play, while those 1 e 2 are related to synchronization.

With the key Home you can return to the home screen, close a game or retune the controllers, by accessing a dedicated menu. With the key POWERFinally, you can turn off or put the console in standby. In case you want to learn more, I suggest you take a look at my guide on how to synchronize the Wii remote.

How to connect Wii to the Internet

Connect the Wii to the Internet it's really that simple. Be aware that there are two methods of connection: the one via connection Wi-Fi and that away LAN cable, through special adapters, as the console does not have an input port Ethernet. Remember that you cannot connect the Wii Mini to Internet.

The first method, certainly more immediate, is the one concerning the wireless connection. Once the console is turned on, go to the main menu and select the item Wii placed at the bottom left. With that done, choose the option Wii Console Settings, then navigate to the right in the menu by pressing the appropriate arrow.

Select, though, the voice Internet and press pulsating Connection settings. Once this is done, press on one of the free connection slots (for example the one Connection 1), then select the item Wifi connection.

In the menu that appeared on the screen, press the option Ricerca Access Point to start scanning for networks, then select the Internet network to connect the console to and press the item Enter the key or password to enter the access key, if present.

Type the password for the access point you are connecting to in the appropriate box that appears on the screen, then press on OK to confirm. Wait a few seconds and, if you have entered all the data correctly, the warning will appear on the screen The connection test was completed successfully.

In case you want to connect the console via LAN cable, you will have to refer to some adapters present in the most important online stores on the Web. The cost is not high and they allow connection through the entrance USB of the Wii.

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Once you have the adapter, all you have to do is plug in theUSB end of the same to the one on the back of the console, then connect the Ethernet cable for one side to the output of the adapter and for the other side to the input on the router.

Once this is done, go to the Wii Console Settings and navigate to the right of the menu until you reach the option Internet. Press on the voice Connection settings, then select one of the free connection slots.

In the menu that appeared on the screen, this time, press on the item Connection via LAN cable and then on the button OK to start a connection test. If everything went well, the message will be displayed on the screen The connection test was completed successfully.

In case you have any doubts, or want to learn more about the procedure, I suggest you take a look at the tutorial I have dedicated to connecting the Wii to the Internet.

How to set up Nintendo Wii

In case you were to switch on for the first time Nintendo Wii, know that it is really very simple set it up successfully. First, hit the power button located on the front of the console, at the top. Do not confuse it with the button located slightly lower, which is used for theejecting discs.

Once the Wii is on, plug in the remotes and press the button A to access the language setting screen. Use i directional keys or motion sensor to select the language you prefer, then press the button Confirmation.

On the next screen, you need to indicate the Sensor bar position, telling the system if you place it Under the TV o Above the TV. Once you have chosen the option corresponding to the position of your bar, press the button Confirmation to continue with the configuration.

Therefore set the Data, according to the format DD / MM / YYYY, going forwards or backwards with the numbers through the up or down arrows that you find positioned at the margins of the dates. Once the date is set, press the button Confirmation and repeat the procedure forTime.

Once this is done, the system prompts you to set the Screen Ratio, which is the size of your TV screen. If you have a TV with a PM4:3, select the option Standard, otherwise set the ratio to Panoramic for a view in PM16:9.

Choose the Nickname of your Wii through the box that appeared on the next screen, then, press the item Confirmation, and indicate yours country of residence in the menu that appeared on the screen. Press the button OK to confirm, then you will be asked whether or not to activate the Family Filter.

Press the button twice OK, then finally log in to the Home screen of the Wii by pressing the button A. The main console screen shows i channels installed, which affect additional console functions.

Among the channels there are i installed games and uses while the first slot is reserved for disc games. Via the SD card, you can move channels on it to save space in the internal memory.

The Wii settings are available in the lower left part of the Home screen, next to the icon Wii. Press on it, then on Wii console settings to access additional configuration options.

In particular, in this menu you will be able to connect the console to the Internet, change the time and date, the Nickname and change all the settings I mentioned earlier, which you configured when you first turned on the console.

How to buy Wii games

In case you intend to get yourself some Nintendo Wii games, be aware that it is no longer possible to download them from the channel Wii Shop, as it closed on January 30 2019. On the other hand, copies of Wii games to buy, both new and used, are still available on the main online stores.

The first games that I would recommend are those developed directly by Nintendo, as Wii Sports, Wii Party e Wii Fit Plus (which needs remote control Wii MotionPlus). While the first two are games that you can play with friends, Wii Fit it is useful for keeping fit through the integration of exercises that use the accessory Wii Balance Board.

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Among the best Nintendo videogame sagas there are certainly the games of Mario, which are characterized by an incredible variety of subgenres. Among the best platformers there are certainly Mario Galaxy and its sequel e New Super Mario Bros Wii, while Mario Party 8 allows you to play with friends and family.

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If you want to play games with a compelling storyline, I can only advise you The Legend Of Zelda Twilight Princess e The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword, GDR of very high quality and real must-plays if you are a fan of the genre.

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If you want to learn more, I recommend my guide on the best Wii games.

Nintendo Wii: how it works