Wii console how does it work

All they had to do was move the controller in the way theywanted the plane to move, and the plane on the screen moved. The motion-sensitive controller made it easy to do sharp turns, barrel rolls and loops. In other demos the controller acted like a stick. The controller manipulated an on-screen fishing pole, drumstick or flyswatter. In the next section we'll discuss some variations on this controller and see how the console is powered.

The system isn't quite as pure as the previous description would lead you to believe. First of all, the accelerometers alone do not provide the accuracy needed to play certain games. A Sensor Bar, or "control strip" must be placed above or below the user's television to monitor the position of the controller.

Secondly, in many games you need the ability to aim and control more than one thing at a time. For example, in any first-person-shooter game, you will want to shoot while running. This means that you must be able to aim the gun and simultaneously move your character. The Nintendo Wii system has two ways to handle this problem. The preferred way is to attach a separate joystick pod, or Nunchuk, to the controller.

You hold the controller in one hand and the joystick in the other. In a first-person shooter game, the controller controls the gun and the joystick controls the running.

The second possibility is to add a standard game controller. Speaking of standards, to get the most enjoyment from playing classic games using the Wii's virtual console, Nintendo offers the "Wii Classic Controller" and will soon be adding the "Wii Classic Controller Pro," controllers that feel similar to the old Super Nintendo Entertainment System game controller. These add-ons attach to the controller using a special socket built into the butt of the controller. If you have a spare GameCube controller laying around, you can use that, too.

Thanks to Bluetooth technology, the Wii can handle up to four remotes at once. And don't worry that it will get cramped with four folks hovering near the console. That's not necessary. Thanks to the Sensor Bar, as long as a remote is within a foot 9. To power the Wii, Nintendo has taken an interesting approach. Nintendo has focused on building a console that is "more power-efficient, quieter and faster to start" [source: IGN ].

The Nintendo GameCube was released in September The Wii came out about five years later. It's interesting to compare the two systems and see just how much can change in five years:. At the core of the Wii's appeal is its motion-control interface.

It gives the gamer a feeling of immersion in the game while inviting casual gamers who may not have the patience to learn an advanced controller a reason to pick it up and give it a try. In fact, Nintendo sold more than 3 million consoles in the United States alone in Worldwide, customers bought more Wiis 9,, than both Xbox 4,, and PlayStation 3 consoles 4,, combined.

Knowing this, Nintendo released an updated version of its motion controller. Actually, it's more of an add-on. Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus accessory snaps into the same socket as the Nunchuk and, according to the company, it translates game players' actions into game movements in a ratio [source: Nintendo ]. While older games can't take advantage of the improved control offered by the add-on, some titles released afterward require the functionality the device offers [source: Bakalar ].

With the popularity of Nintendo's motion-control interface on the Wii, rivals Microsoft and Sony have been preparing their own responses. Sony is launching Move, its own motion-sensitive controller, in a form factor similar to the Wii Remote.

But Microsoft's answer is the much-anticipated Project Natal. Video footage of demo versions of the two reveals smooth motion control and fine-tuned playability.

Some in the video game industry contend that the Wii isn't a system that appeals to serious gamers outside of the motion control and games featuring Nintendo's proprietary characters. That doesn't mean gamers don't buy them.

Data suggests gamers own an Xbox or a PS3 along with a Wii, but not all three. With Sony and Microsoft fighting for the control of the hardcore gamer, the motion control interface may be the deciding factor when attracting new gamers.

With the intensity of controlling market share in the video game industry so feverish, you can expect there to be plenty of news coming down the pike. A high-definition version of the Wii has been rumored for release in or but Nintendo officials will not comment on the speculation. The Wii has had no shortage of publicity since its release -- some good, some bad. First there was the competition with Sony's PlayStation 3, which was released at about the same time, to see which console would dominate the holiday season winner: the Wii [source: Reuters ].

Then, Nintendo issued a recall of the original Wii controller straps after several reported incidents in which gamers lost control of the remote and sent it flying across the room, sometimes causing damage to TVs or windows.

As a result, Wii consoles that were shipped starting in December have a sturdier version of the strap and the company offers users a silicone rubber sleeve intended to soften the impact of a flying remote. Nintendo also lists safety recommendations for Wii users on its official site. Not content simply to make news headlines, the Wii also brings the news directly to you. On Jan. According to a Yahoo! And Nintendo keeps adding more channels.

The Wii made the news in a sad way in January A year-old woman named Jennifer Strange died of water intoxication after competing in a radio station contest where contestants drank massive amounts of water in an attempt to win a Wii.

For more information, see How can someone die from drinking too much water? According to a federal report funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, one-third of American children are either obese or at risk of becoming obese [source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation].

Many people blame television and video games for the increase in childhood obesity , claiming that kids today just don't get enough exercise. Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto found a way to get kids exercising while enjoying one of their favorite activities -- playing video games. The activities focus on four different aspects of exercising: aerobics, muscle conditioning, yoga and balance.

The Balance Board, which resembles a bathroom scale, has gyroscopic technology and multiple sensors built into it. The gyroscopic technology measures shifts in weight based on the conservation of angular momentum.

Angular momentum measures the extent to which an object rotating around a reference point will continue to do so until acted upon by some outside force.

The onboard sensors measure a user's body mass index and center of gravity. The Wii Balance Board goes beyond simply calculating your body mass index; it also tracks your overall progress in terms of your fitness age.

A person's Wii fitness age is calculated by factoring his or her body mass index, performance during balance tests and overall center of gravity. Many players find that tracking their progress makes "Wii Fit" more fun to play. Users want to be as fit as possible in the eyes of the game so that, like in any other video game, they can claim to be the best.

The game is also designed to inspire players into setting personal goals, which help them stick to their "Wii Fit" exercise routines.

On Oct. The Balance Board has turned out to be a great peripheral for other games, too. Snowboarding games such as "Shaun White's Snowboarding," for instance, takes advantage of the board's unique sensing ability.

Players stand on the board and lean to control the rider in the game. Similar to the "Wii Fit" games, the Jillian Michaels games are fitness programs. The difference is the intensity. Infrared Sensor Bar The accelerometers in the controls gauge movement but not position relative to the TV screen. The bar sends out an infrared signal, which is picked up by detectors at the front of the Wii Remote. The Remote uses distance and angle information to triangulate its location, which it sends, along with acceleration data, to the console.

Wi-Fi Nintendo saw the value of adding Wi-Fi wireless connectivity to its popular DS handheld gaming device, which allowed users to play against others wirelessly, so it did the same with the Wii. People-related factors like talent attraction and retention and clear top-down communication will determine whether your transformation progresses or stalls.

As organizations navigate a new world of hybrid work, tech innovation will be crucial for employee connection and collaboration. Digital transformation in any industry begins with bridging the gap between two traditionally separate teams. Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more. Thank you for submitting your email! You can learn more about how the Wii mote controller works by following this link opens in a new window. One Wii nunchuck controller. The nunchuck is a secondary controller that is used in many of the Wii's games where two hands are needed at the same time to play the game hey, it's very hard to box with one hand :o.

In these games, you'll hold the Wii mote in one hand and the nunchuck in the other. The nunchuck simply plugs into the Wii mote controller and doesn't need any batteries. You can learn more about how the Wii nunchuck works by following this link opens in a new window. Nintendo Wii AC power supply. This is the Wii console's power cable. The Wii comes with the standard plug for your country, so you don't need any plug adaptors.

Wii sensor bar. The sensor bar is a small infrared device that detects when the remote controller and nunchuck controller are moving around. The sensor bar tells the Nintendo Wii console what the controllers are doing. You can stick the sensor bar to the top of your TV or onto your TV stand again, even the sticky foam tape is included! The sensor bar just plugs directly into the Nintendo Wii console.

The bar is really thin so it doesn't look ugly when you stick it on your TV. Wii Sports game. The Nintendo Wii console comes with a free game called Wii Sports. The games on the Wii Sports disc put you right in the thick of the action! With remote controllers in hand, get ready to swing, throw and punch your way to sporting greatness! The games are amazingly addictive to play and you and your friends will spend hours laughing with or at each other.

Wii Sports will really show you what the Wii's revolutionary controllers are all about, and will teach you how to use the controllers in an easy, fun way. A Setup Manual with easy to follow, step-by-step pictures to get your Nintendo Wii console set up in record time. The Wii Operations Manual shows you how to use the Wii channels, create your own little characters called Miis , and change the Wii console settings.

The operations manual also has easy to follow pictures, making it a breeze to understand. Keep the box in one piece for storing all of these extra bits and pieces, and for storing your Nintendo Wii console if you ever want to take it with you to friends. The Nintendo Wii console really is an amazing package and its huge popularity is no surprise. At this price it's one of the cheapest video games consoles you can buy, and is much cheaper than the Playstation 3 console. Now that you know what the console costs, let's talk about any extra bits and bobs you might need