Nintendo Revolution renamed 'Wii'

For more than a year, Nintendo's forthcoming next-generation video game console has been known by its code name, Revolution. But on Thursday, the company unveiled the machine's real name, "Wii."

The name--which is pronounced "we"--is meant to invoke the feeling of cooperation that comes when people play games together. Further, Nintendo said, the written name is meant to visually conjure up the image of two people standing together.

"The goal is we are a highly innovative company and we want the name to speak to that innovation and uniqueness," said Perrin Kaplan, Nintendo's vice president of marketing and corporate affairs. "If you were to look at (the name of the controller) visually, the point isn't just how you pronounce it, but it symbolizes the controllers, which are one of the most innovative and unique parts of the system.

The Wii, which is expected to launch in the fourth quarter, is Nintendo's answer to Microsoft's Xbox 360, which launched last fall, and Sony's forthcoming PlayStation 3. Nintendo has, so far, been differentiating what has been known as the Revolution by promoting its controller, which players will hold in a single hand like a remote control.

In any case, Kaplan admitted that some people won't know how to pronounce "Wii" but said Nintendo will embark on an ambitious campaign to ensure that's not a problem come the console's expected fourth-quarter launch.

That push will include disseminating a Web video--currently available at Nintendo.com--as well as television ads that will begin airing later this year.

"We think that after some time," Kaplan said, "people will become comfortable with it. But it will strike people as different, and that's what we're after."

Why?

I liked Revolution better.<br /><br />(And in the subject, yes, pun intended.)

[richto]

Taking the WiiWii

I think its Japanese for 'a cheap piece of plastic you get free with your breakfast cerial'

Why?

I liked Revolution better.<br /><br />(And in the subject, yes, pun intended.)

[richto]

Taking the WiiWii

I think its Japanese for 'a cheap piece of plastic you get free with your breakfast cerial'

[techned]

Wii-diculous

They should have stuck with "Revolution" - that is a much more marketable and appealing name than "Wii".<br /><br />How can anyone or third-party publisher consider it a serious gaming machine with that name?<br /><br />Nintendo better have a very considerable library at debut and I don't mean the usual "Mario", "Linx", or any other cuddly Nintendo "disney-esque" character games with this unit (Wii) or they have spent a lot of money on a turkey because of the "turn off" sounding name.<br /><br />Seriously, if this unit don't fly, Nintendo better stick with portable gaming or consider going the same route that Sega did about five years ago.<br /><br />My two cents,<br />Ned

[itcool]

Super Wii-diculous

This has got to be the hands-down dummest move I've ever seen in a company. I woke up this morning sure that I wanted a Nintendo Revolution when it came out but now I'm not so eager to run up to the store and snatch a wii out of some kids hands and flopping it out on the counter and saying "Ring me up Scotty" (actually that sounds fun). I like to invite friends over to play games sometimes but i don't want them to touch my wii. I cannot even begin to explain my dissapointment with this name hopefully the negative feed-back will make them awaken from their comas down at Nintendo. <br /><br />As far as I'm concerned they can site on their wii and go for a spin!

[itcool]

Super Wii-diculous

This has got to be the hands-down dummest move I've ever seen in a company. I woke up this morning sure that I wanted a Nintendo Revolution when it came out but now I'm not so eager to run up to the store and snatch a wii out of some kids hands and flopping it out on the counter and saying "Ring me up Scotty" (actually that sounds fun). I like to invite friends over to play games sometimes but i don't want them to touch my wii. I cannot even begin to explain my dissapointment with this name hopefully the negative feed-back will make them awaken from their comas down at Nintendo. <br /><br />As far as I'm concerned they can sit on their wii and go for a spin!

[itcool]

Super Wii-diculous

This has got to be the hands-down dummest move I've ever seen in a company. I woke up this morning sure that I wanted a Nintendo Revolution when it came out but now I'm not so eager to run up to the store and snatch a wii out of some kids hands and flopping it out on the counter and saying "Ring me up Scotty" (actually that sounds fun). I like to invite friends over to play games sometimes but i don't want them to touch my wii. I cannot even begin to explain my dissapointment with this name hopefully the negative feed-back will make them awaken from their comas down at Nintendo. <br /><br />As far as I'm concerned they can sit on their wii and go for a spin!

[techned]

Wii-diculous

They should have stuck with "Revolution" - that is a much more marketable and appealing name than "Wii".<br /><br />How can anyone or third-party publisher consider it a serious gaming machine with that name?<br /><br />Nintendo better have a very considerable library at debut and I don't mean the usual "Mario", "Linx", or any other cuddly Nintendo "disney-esque" character games with this unit (Wii) or they have spent a lot of money on a turkey because of the "turn off" sounding name.<br /><br />Seriously, if this unit don't fly, Nintendo better stick with portable gaming or consider going the same route that Sega did about five years ago.<br /><br />My two cents,<br />Ned

[itcool]

Super Wii-diculous

This has got to be the hands-down dummest move I've ever seen in a company. I woke up this morning sure that I wanted a Nintendo Revolution when it came out but now I'm not so eager to run up to the store and snatch a wii out of some kids hands and flopping it out on the counter and saying "Ring me up Scotty" (actually that sounds fun). I like to invite friends over to play games sometimes but i don't want them to touch my wii. I cannot even begin to explain my dissapointment with this name hopefully the negative feed-back will make them awaken from their comas down at Nintendo. <br /><br />As far as I'm concerned they can site on their wii and go for a spin!

[itcool]

Super Wii-diculous

This has got to be the hands-down dummest move I've ever seen in a company. I woke up this morning sure that I wanted a Nintendo Revolution when it came out but now I'm not so eager to run up to the store and snatch a wii out of some kids hands and flopping it out on the counter and saying "Ring me up Scotty" (actually that sounds fun). I like to invite friends over to play games sometimes but i don't want them to touch my wii. I cannot even begin to explain my dissapointment with this name hopefully the negative feed-back will make them awaken from their comas down at Nintendo. <br /><br />As far as I'm concerned they can sit on their wii and go for a spin!

[itcool]

Super Wii-diculous

This has got to be the hands-down dummest move I've ever seen in a company. I woke up this morning sure that I wanted a Nintendo Revolution when it came out but now I'm not so eager to run up to the store and snatch a wii out of some kids hands and flopping it out on the counter and saying "Ring me up Scotty" (actually that sounds fun). I like to invite friends over to play games sometimes but i don't want them to touch my wii. I cannot even begin to explain my dissapointment with this name hopefully the negative feed-back will make them awaken from their comas down at Nintendo. <br /><br />As far as I'm concerned they can sit on their wii and go for a spin!

[Jeff Putz]

Dumbest marketing move ever for Nintendo

Can you see it now? "Hey, wanna play with my Wii?" Or, "My Wii is yellow, what color is yours?"<br /><br />Stupid.

[Jeff Putz]

Dumbest marketing move ever for Nintendo

Can you see it now? "Hey, wanna play with my Wii?" Or, "My Wii is yellow, what color is yours?"<br /><br />Stupid.

[Bob_Barker]

I like it.

It's catchy. Sticks to your brain. Sure it has childish interpretations but being a creative person myself, I think the name is perfect. I dig the multiple meanings it has.<br /><br />People who don't like the name are probably the same people who giggle when they hear words like "penal code".

[Bob_Barker]

I like it.

It's catchy. Sticks to your brain. Sure it has childish interpretations but being a creative person myself, I think the name is perfect. I dig the multiple meanings it has.<br /><br />People who don't like the name are probably the same people who giggle when they hear words like "penal code".

[alucinor]

Depends on how they spin it

This name could either be good or bad, depending on the ads.<br /><br />If the ads seem goofy and childish, it will resonate against those qualities already represented by the name itself.<br /><br />However, if the ads are sleek and classy, and the logo is clean and simple (which looks to be the case), then the "Wii" thing could be spun off as "it's cool to be a kid again."<br /><br />I expect the latter case, of course, and I imagine an ad campaign similar to the DS. At the end of each commericial, if a child's voice whispered "wee" in sort of a mystical way, it would do wonders in changing the perception of the name.

[alucinor]

Depends on how they spin it

This name could either be good or bad, depending on the ads.<br /><br />If the ads seem goofy and childish, it will resonate against those qualities already represented by the name itself.<br /><br />However, if the ads are sleek and classy, and the logo is clean and simple (which looks to be the case), then the "Wii" thing could be spun off as "it's cool to be a kid again."<br /><br />I expect the latter case, of course, and I imagine an ad campaign similar to the DS. At the end of each commericial, if a child's voice whispered "wee" in sort of a mystical way, it would do wonders in changing the perception of the name.

[chuchucuhi]

this invokes a hmmm...

Well I guess they are certainly moving out of the more hardcore gamer segement of males 8-35 and into the market of gamers 4-120 men and women. I'm not sure if the market everywhere is ready for it but it certainly has logic if you live in Japan where gaming has become something that is enjoyed by the masses. Yes the cool games with the best graphics and biggest budgets will probably be reserved for MS and Sony but the others the many many others beyond the few blockbuster a year will still be with Nintendo. I would think this whole idea is crazy if I did not actually know a number of 50+ female gamers who play WoW and so many other online games now, it's kinda weird. Though that demographic is small I think the system will try to cater to a broader market. Will this take off in areas outside of asia? I don't know, only time will tell on that one but there is a sleeping giant of soon to be retirees who played pong and are looking for fun over graphically intense explosions and shiny cars.

[Amazingant]

Grandmother

There was a news story on here awhile ago about some 80 year old who was a grandmother of 5. She went and beat a bunch of people at halo. won the contest and everything. was crazy...

[chuchucuhi]

this invokes a hmmm...

Well I guess they are certainly moving out of the more hardcore gamer segement of males 8-35 and into the market of gamers 4-120 men and women. I'm not sure if the market everywhere is ready for it but it certainly has logic if you live in Japan where gaming has become something that is enjoyed by the masses. Yes the cool games with the best graphics and biggest budgets will probably be reserved for MS and Sony but the others the many many others beyond the few blockbuster a year will still be with Nintendo. I would think this whole idea is crazy if I did not actually know a number of 50+ female gamers who play WoW and so many other online games now, it's kinda weird. Though that demographic is small I think the system will try to cater to a broader market. Will this take off in areas outside of asia? I don't know, only time will tell on that one but there is a sleeping giant of soon to be retirees who played pong and are looking for fun over graphically intense explosions and shiny cars.

[Amazingant]

Grandmother

There was a news story on here awhile ago about some 80 year old who was a grandmother of 5. She went and beat a bunch of people at halo. won the contest and everything. was crazy...

[Neo Con]

The new "Nova"

Did Nintendo bother to run this by some english-speaking folks by any chance? I agree with the previous comments saying that "Revolution" was much, much better. This really sounds silly, awkward and downright dumb. Kinda reminds me of the Intel "VIIV" nonsense.

Viiv and Wii and WiFi

You know, good point bringing up Viiv. Viiv and Wii are both going to become big at the same time, and yet we're supposed to pronounced one as a long I sound and the other as a long E sound? This -- and also WiFi -- is exactly why my first thought was "Why," not "We."

[Neo Con]

The new "Nova"

Did Nintendo bother to run this by some english-speaking folks by any chance? I agree with the previous comments saying that "Revolution" was much, much better. This really sounds silly, awkward and downright dumb. Kinda reminds me of the Intel "VIIV" nonsense.

Viiv and Wii and WiFi

You know, good point bringing up Viiv. Viiv and Wii are both going to become big at the same time, and yet we're supposed to pronounced one as a long I sound and the other as a long E sound? This -- and also WiFi -- is exactly why my first thought was "Why," not "We."

[Henry Frohlich]

Mixed feelings...

Having a crazy name like "Wii" is Nintendo's style. Right now <br />everyone is shocked but the mainstream will get used to it in a <br />while. They aren't going for the hardcore gamer group, so this <br />name could be perfect for the young, kid at heart, and women.

[Henry Frohlich]

Mixed feelings...

Having a crazy name like "Wii" is Nintendo's style. Right now <br />everyone is shocked but the mainstream will get used to it in a <br />while. They aren't going for the hardcore gamer group, so this <br />name could be perfect for the young, kid at heart, and women.

[schubb]

Too much fun to be had

I can't wait until I hear people saying:<br />"I wanna Wii" or "I gotta Wii" or "I can't wait for a Wii"<br /><br />I think there may be a cultural issue here Nintendo might want to look at. <br /><br />Sony and Microsoft are going to have a field day with this.

[schubb]

Too much fun to be had

I can't wait until I hear people saying:<br />"I wanna Wii" or "I gotta Wii" or "I can't wait for a Wii"<br /><br />I think there may be a cultural issue here Nintendo might want to look at. <br /><br />Sony and Microsoft are going to have a field day with this.

[alvisbrigis]

Me Like-eee Wii

I dig the name. It's nice and short. You can play around with the design of it. It's easily memorable as a web address.

[Bob_Barker]

Hell yeah

This name is awesome. I work in marketing for a game company so I can see where Nintendo is going with this. It's a great idea.

[alvisbrigis]

Me Like-eee Wii

I dig the name. It's nice and short. You can play around with the design of it. It's easily memorable as a web address.

[Bob_Barker]

Hell yeah

This name is awesome. I work in marketing for a game company so I can see where Nintendo is going with this. It's a great idea.