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Game Capsule
Launch

Console encyclopedia

Nintendo · 2006

Wii

Wii Emulator Online

Home consoleGeneration 7

Nintendo’s motion-focused home console centered on the Wii Remote and a pointer aimed at the television.[1]

Game CapsulePlanned
Explore the details
Wii hardware artwork
Wii · Nintendo
First launch
2006
Manufacturer
Nintendo
Category
Home console
Generation
7
Hardware sales
101.63M[6]

Worldwide Wii hardware.[6]

01

The console story

Wii arrived in 2006, targeting a broad audience through accessible physical interaction. Wii Sports made its control scheme immediately understandable.[1]

The original Wii included GameCube ports and compatibility. Later Family Edition and Wii mini models changed that feature set. Online services and downloadable software expanded the original disc library.[1]

02

A history in milestones

  1. 2006
    Japan

    [1]

  2. 2006
    North America

    [1]

  3. 2006
    Europe

    [1]

  4. 2011
    Wii Family Edition

    Removed GameCube support.[1]

  5. 2012
    Wii mini

    Simplified model without online features.[1]

03

Technical profile

Processor
IBM Broadway · 729 MHz[2]
Memory
24 MB + 64 MB RAM[2]
Display & graphics
ATI Hollywood[2]
Media
Wii optical discs[2]
Audio
Audio DSP[2]
Power
External power supply[1]
Input & connectivity
Wii Remote wireless connection; Wi-Fi; GameCube ports on original model[2]
05

Why it mattered

Movement as an interface

The Wii Remote and Balance Board brought gestures and body movement into mainstream home-console play.[1]

101.63M

Worldwide Wii hardware.[6]

06

Defining games

Years refer to the earliest release of the named version. Games are historical references; GameCapsule does not distribute them.

01

Wii Sports

Sports demonstrations built around motion controls.[3]

02

Super Mario Galaxy

Platforming across small worlds and shifting gravity.[4]

03

Wii Fit

Activity software designed around the Balance Board.[5]

07

Hardware variants

Wii

Original model with GameCube ports.[1]

Wii Family Edition

Removed GameCube support.[1]

Wii mini

Simplified model without online features.[1]

08

Accessories & ecosystem

Nunchuk
Analog stick and additional motion input.[1]
Wii Balance Board
Pressure-sensitive board for supported games.[1]
Wii MotionPlus
Improved motion sensing in supported games.[1]
09

System family

Related systems in the collection. These links do not imply technical compatibility.

GameCube hardware artwork

2001 · Related platform

GameCube

Planned
10

Hardware gallery

Wii hardware artwork

Wii

Wii

Wii-Console.png — Evan-Amos, Wikimedia Commons; public domain. Downloaded at 960px width. Public domain (PD-self)

Console artwork from the Game Capsule collection. No gameplay screenshot is shown.

11

GameCapsule support

Planned

This system is represented in the catalog. Its emulator, file import and gameplay are not available today. There is no announced release date.

Expand beyond Game Boy while preserving a coherent collection. Other consoles remain catalog-only.

Bring your own compatible game files. Game Capsule does not include commercial games.

Explore the roadmap

Sources & further reading

  1. Historical overview and model chronology ↗

    Historical narrative, regional release precision, model chronology, commercial context and accessories

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  2. Rodrigo Copetti · hardware architecture research ↗

    Processor, memory, graphics, audio and hardware interfaces

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  3. Wii Sports · release history ↗

    Named game/version release year; descriptive context

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  4. Super Mario Galaxy · release history ↗

    Named game/version release year; descriptive context

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  5. Wii Fit · release history ↗

    Named game/version release year; descriptive context

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  6. Nintendo investor relations · lifetime hardware sales ↗

    Worldwide consolidated lifetime hardware units; report as of June 30, 2026

    Reviewed 2026-09-30