Thankful Throwback Thursday: Remembering the Nintendo Wii
Over 20 years ago this month, the Nintendo Wii was officially released in North America. Following the GameCube’s modest sales performance and increasing competition from Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo saw an opportunity to pursue a different strategy. Thankfully, Nintendo’s efforts seem to have paid off, considering the Wii is now the seventh best-selling console of all time. Today, I’ll take a look back at what made the console so enjoyable and accessible for others.
When most people think about the Wii, they usually recall the console’s iconic remote. Unlike more traditionally shaped controllers, the Wiimote stood out due to its rectangular shape, minimal buttons, and, most importantly, motion-based controls. These motion controls paid off for Nintendo by making the controller more intuitive, even for those who weren’t regular gamers. Nintendo also wisely made Wii Sports a pack-in title for the console, which led to the game being a social activity you could play with your entire family.
Of course, the Wii’s legendary library didn’t end with just Wii Sports. The Super Mario Galaxy duology is widely considered to contain two of the best 3D platformers of all time, and certainly serves as a high point for the Mario franchise. Both games’ music, level design, and gravity-shifting gameplay still hold up today.
Speaking of Nintendo’s mascot, Mario Kart Wii’s memorable and varied tracklist, multiplayer, and iconic Wii Wheel made the game a classic racer of the Wii generation. Outside of Mario, Super Smash Bros. Brawl offered the ambitiously cinematic Subspace Emissary adventure mode. It also introduced guest characters Sonic and Solid Snake, kickstarting the franchise’s iconic third-party reveals. For those looking for something more casual, Wii Fit did an excellent job gamifying a general exercise routine.
In conclusion, I’m thankful for the Wii because it stood out from other consoles. At the time, many considered gaming a more “serious” activity that only hardcore gamers could enjoy. The Wii broke the mold with its excellent variety of lighthearted and straightforward games, which made the console easily accessible for everyone. Although gaming has evolved considerably since the console’s release, there’s still something undeniably special about booting up the Wii today and playing through some childhood classics.
What do you think of the Wii’s legacy? What was your favorite game from the console? Let me know in the comments!
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