Wii Beginners Guide & FAQ

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Wii News and Updates
25th April 2011 - Wii's successor confirmed - details at E3
21st/22nd June 2010 - System Menu 4.3 released. :<)



Tutorial Contents & Index:[anchor=FAQ]
FAQ
  • Q: What is the Wii?

    A - The Wii is a seventh generation gaming console made by Nintendo
  • Q: How much does the Wii cost?

    A - The MSRP of the Wii is $199 USD, ¥20,000 or €199.
  • Q: When was the Wii released?

    A - The Wii was released on November 19, 2006 in North America, December 2, 2006 in Japan, December 7, 2006 in Australia and December 8, 2006 in Japan.
  • Q: What does it come with?

    A - The package contains one Wii console, one remote and nunchuk (controllers), a sensor bar, two AA batteries, instruction manuals and Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort (in certain cases).
  • Q: Does the Wii have backwards compatibility with older games?

    A - The Wii has backwards compatibility with Gamecube games. It can also play games released for older systems such as the NES through the Virtual Console.
  • Q: Does the Wii support SDHC cards?

    A - Yes, the Wii supports both SD and SDHC cards.
  • Q: Does the Wii display games in high-definition (720p+)?

    A - No, the Wii cannot output in high-definition. The highest resolution it can output is 480p.
  • Q: What is Nintendo Selects?

    A - It is a line of Wii games rereleased at a much lower price. It is similar to the Sony's "Greatest Hits" and Nintendo's "Player's Choice" line. Games currently available in the Nintendo Selects line are The Legend of Zelda™: Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing™: City Folk, Mario™ Super Sluggers and Wii Sports.
[anchor=Hardware]
Hardware


The Wii isn't very powerful when compared to the other seventh generation consoles in terms of technical specs. Nintendo makes up for this with the Wii's control scheme, motion-controls. The fact that the Wii isn't as powerful as the other seventh generation console doesn't prevent developers from making good games for it. Developers simply have to work within the Wii's constraints. Games for the system are still able to look good, they're just not displayed in high-definition. The two games below are examples of Wii games with graphics that are visually pleasing.


TbuRb.jpg

vTQoy.jpg
The Wii's control scheme is it's main claim to fame. The Wii Remote is a controller that resembles a television remote that allows the Wii to sense your position. It does this through a accelerometer. The Wii Remote has one speaker near the middle of it and several face buttons.

The secondary controller for the Wii is called the nunchuk. The nunchuk has an analog stick and two trigger buttons. It's similar to the Wii Remote as it also has an accelerometer for motion sensing.
[title:Picture of Wii Remote]
VDm2q.jpg
[title:Picture of Nunchuk]
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[anchor=Peripherals]
Wii Peripherals


Wii Speak

Wii Speak is a microphone accessory for the Wii. It allows for voice chat in compatible games. It connects to the Wii console through the USB ports at the back of it. It is compatible with a number of games notable ones being Animal Crossing: City Folk and Monster Hunter Tri.
Animal Crossing: City Folk
Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep
NHL 2K10
The Conduit
The Grinder
Uno
NBA 2K10
NBA 2K11
Monster Hunter Tri
Tetris Party Deluxe
Jeopardy!
Wheel of Fortune
Mix Superstar

Wii Balance Board

The Wii Balance Board is a balance board peripheral for the Wii. It requires two AA batteries to power it. It uses multiple pressure sensors to measure the user's center of balance. It is compatible with a number of games notable ones being Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus.
Academy of Champions: Soccer
All Star Cheer Squad
All Star Cheerleader
All Star Cheer Squad 2
All Star Cheerleader 2
Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 3
Don King Boxing
EA Sports Active
EA Sports Active: More Workouts
G1 Jockey Wii
Go Play: Circus Star
Go Play: Lumberjacks
Go Play: City Sports
Gold's Gym Cardio Workout
Imagine Fashion Party
Lexis Numerique
James Cameron's Avatar: The Game
Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009
Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2010
Marble Saga: Kororinpa
Kororinpa 2: Anthony to Kiniro Himawari no Tane
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
My Fitness Coach 2: Exercise and Nutrition
NewU Fitness First Mind Body, Yoga & Pilates Workout
NewU Fitness First Personal TrainerPunch-Out!!
Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party
Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip
Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage
Skate City Heroes
Skate It
Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll
Tetris Party Deluxe
Tetris Online
Walk it Out
We Ski
We Ski & Snowboard
Wii Fit
Wii Fit Plus
Wii Music
Winter Sports 2: The Next Challenge
Yoga
Zumba Fitness

Wii MotionPlus

The Wii MotionPlus is an accessory for the Wii Remote controller. It supplements both the accelerometer and sensor bar capabilities of the Wii Remote. It allows for more accurate motion sensing capabilities through the use of a dual-axis tuning fork gyroscope and a single-axis gyroscope. It is compatible with a number of games notable ones being Red Steel 2 and Wii Sports Resort.
Academy of Champions
All Star Karate
Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers
Conduit 2
Crazy Mini Golf 2
Deca Sports 3
The Garfield Show: Threat of the Space Lasagna
Grand Slam Tennis
Hooked! Again: Real Motion Fishing
James Cameron's Avatar: The Game
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
New Carnival Games
NewU Fitness First Mind Body, Yoga & Pilates Workout
NHL 2K10
NHL 2K11
Racquet Sports
Red Steel 2
Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage
FlingSmash
Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time
SpongeBob's Truth or Square
The Grinder
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11
Tron: Evolution - Battle Grids
Virtua Tennis 4
Virtua Tennis 2009
Wii Play: Motion
Wii Sports Resort
Zangeki no Reginleiv
Zumba Fitness

Wii Wheel

The Wii Wheel is an accessory for the Wii Remote that comes bundled with Mario Kart Wii and later editions of Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing. It does not provide any extra functionality to the Wii remote and is solely intended to make holding the Wii Remote as a wheel easier. As it does not add any function besides ergonomics, it works with any Wii game.

Classic Controller

The Wii Classic Controller is a controller for the Wii console designed for use with Virtual Console and other games. It resembles a traditional game controller. It connects to the bottom of the Wii Remote. It is compatible with a large number of games (too many to list, list over here).

[anchor=Specs]
Technical Specifications
  • IBM 729 MHz PowerPC CPU ("Broadway")
  • ATI 242 MHz Graphics Processor ("Hollywood")
  • 91 MB of on-board memory
  • 512 MB built-in flash memory
  • 2 USB 2.0 ports
  • A proprietary output for video and audio
  • 4 Gamecube controller ports and 2 Gamecube memory card ports
  • Slot loading optical drive compatible with standard DVD and GameCube sized discs
  • SD memory card slots
  • WiFi by Broadcom, with 802.11b & 802.11g support
[anchor=Channels]
Wii Channels (Applications)


[title:Photo Channel]
Photo Channel
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The Photo Channel is the application that allows you to view photos on the Wii. Photos can be sent to the Photo Channel via an SD Card and email. With the Photo Channel you can turn your photos into a nifty puzzle or mosaic to play around with. The most productive part of the Photo Channel is the ability to play the pictures as a slideshow. The Wii automatically adds a pan and scan effect to the slideshow and will play music on the SD Card. If there is no music on the SD Card, it will play it's own music.

Easter Eggs!
Try to grab the cat (press both A+B), and it'll give you tips
In Fun mode, you can do a 192 piece puzzle by holding down the 1 button.
During a slide show, hold UP or Down on the D-Pad and a blur circle will appear. You can resize the circle by moving the remote closer or further from the screen.
Playing a Slideshow​
photo%20channel%20guide%202.PNG


Select the appropriate option based on whether you want to view photos on the SD card or from the Wii Message Board.​
photo%20channel%20guide%203.PNG


After clicking 'View' select the Slideshow option at the bottom-left of the screen!​
News Channel
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The news channel is an application for the Wii that allows you to view the latest news headlines. Headlines are submitted by the Associated Press, The Canadian Press, Agence France-Presse and Goo (Japanese News Agency). The news channel makes it easy to check the news because of the News ticker. You can easily check the newest headlines straight from the Wii Menu. You should visit the News channel every once in a while since the News ticker disappears if the channel isn't visited for some time.
Playing a Slideshow​
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Select the slideshow option on the bottom left of the screen.​
Viewing the Globe​
news%20channel%203.PNG


After selecting a headline, select the Globe option at the bottom-left.​
news%20channel%204.PNG


Hold the A button and move the Wiimote to navigate the globe!​
Wii Shop Channel
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The Wii Shop Channel is an application that allows you to download WiiWare and Virtual Console games. The games are purchased using Wii points which can be purchased in store. New games are added every Monday in North America, Tuesdays in Japan and South Korea, and Fridays in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Easter Egg
While downloading a game, if Mario is wearing his Fire Flower Suit you can press A to shoot a fireball!
Gifting Someone
wii%20shop%20channel%202.PNG


Select the WiiWare option on the top-right of the screen​
wii%20shop%20channel%203.PNG


Select the game you would like to send​
wii%20shop%20channel%204.PNG


Select 'Gift'.​
wii%20shop%20channel%205.PNG


Select a Wii Friend you would like to send it to. Write a message and select OK/Yes on the confirmation screen after.​
Forecast Channel
forecast%20channel.PNG
The Forecast Channel is the application that allows you to view the weather. Visit the channel every once in a while (just like the News Channel) so the weather preview remains there.
Viewing the UV Index and 5 Day Forecast​
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Select the 'UV Index' option at the top of the screen.​
forecast%20channel%203.PNG


To view the 5 day Forecast select 'Tomorrow' at the bottom of the screen.​
forecast%20channel%204.PNG
Accessing the Globe​
forecast%20channel%204.PNG


Select 'Globe' on the bottom-right of the screen​
forecast%20channel%205.PNG


Wasn't that simple?​
Check Mii Out Channel
check%20mii%20out%20channel%20intro.PNG
The Check Mii Out Channel allows you to import other people's Mii's and to enter and judge contests. It's a great deal of fun!
Importing Mii's​
check%20mii%20out%20channel%20posting%20plaza.PNG


Select the 'Posting Plaza'.​
check%20mii%20out%20channel%20browsing%20through%20miis.PNG


Browse through the Mii's and when you find one that you like, click it.​
check%20mii%20out%20channel%20importing%20miis.PNG


Select 'Import Mii'.​
Nintendo Channel
nintendo%20channel%20intro.PNG
The Nintendo Channel allows you to view game videos, trailers and download DS game demos.​
Browsing Nintendo Channel​
browsing%20nintendo%20channel.PNG


Select the video you would like to watch. If you want to download DS game demos click '
BCtoy.png
'.​
Internet Channel
internet%20channel%20intro.PNG


The Internet Channel allows you to browse the internet.​
internet%20channel%20start%20page.PNG


Select 'Web Address' to enter a URL. 'Favorites' to go to your favorites and 'Search' to search the web.​
Everybody Votes Channel
everybody%20votes%20channel%20intro.PNG


The Everybody Votes Channel allows you to participate in polls.​
everybody%20votes%20channel%20selecting%20polls.PNG


Select the poll you want to participate in.

everybody%20votes%20channel%20selecting%20answer.PNG

Select an answer by moving your Mii to the answer.

everybody%20votes%20channel%20cast%20your%20vote.PNG

Click Yes.​

[anchor=Settings]
Settings


Adjusting Screen Settings
wii%20settings%20screen.PNG


Select 'Widescreen Settings'. You will be presented with two options, 4:3 and 16:9. If you don't know what aspect ratio your television is, remember that 4:3 is similar to the "shape of a square" while 16:9 is similar to the "shape of a rectangle". Check the picture below.
Wmt5r.gif


Select TV Resolution. Two options will be presented, 'Standard TV (480i)' and EDTV (480p). If you purchased component cables, choose 'EDTV' but if you use the default cables that came with your Wii for video output select 'SDTV (480i)'.

Select 'Screen Burn-in Reduction'. Select 'Yes' if it isn't already on to prevent screen burn-in.
Adjusting the Sensor Bar and using Parental Controls
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Select 'Parental Controls', if you want to set restrictions on what games can be played on the Wii. Select 'Yes'. Make a 4 digit pin and then make a secret question. Select 'Game Settings and Pin'. Select 'Highest Game Rating Allowed'. Scroll down selecting the maximum rating you would like your child to play.1

Select 'Sensor Bar'. Select 'Sensor Par Position' and choose the appropriate option depending the sensor bar is above or below your television.

Select 'Sensor Bar'. Select 'Sensitivity'. Press '+' and '-' on the Wiimote to set sensitivity of the Wiimote. Move the cursor around the screen to check the sensitivity.
[anchor=Other]
Other
  • I advise you purchase an SD Card if you plan on downloading a lot WiiWare/VC games. The SD Card menu allows you to transfer WiiWare and Virtual Console games to the SD card and run them from there.
  • If you haven't already, delete the 'Get Connected Channel'. It takes up quite a lot of space and may prevent you from installing other applications on your Wii.
  • If you want access to homebrew for the Wii, I suggest you hack it using ModMii.
  • If you want to play the Wii with your friends using local multiplayer, I suggest you purchase an extra Wii Remote and Nunchuk
Footnotes:
1 - If you forgot the pin for parental controls, perform the following steps. Enter the 'Parental Controls' settings. On the first screen of the Parental Controls where you enter your PIN, select "I forgot." When prompted to answer your secret question, select "I forgot." A screen with the confirmation number will appear. Enter the confirmation number on this site and you'll be given a reset code.
 
D

Deleted_171835

Guest
OP
Rydian said:
You might want to resize those pics a bit. While the forum resizes them, it's dynamic so the user's computer still needs to download the full-sized image.
I replaced the pics with smaller versions.

Also, I fixed the formatting of the thread a bit.
 
D

Deleted_171835

Guest
OP
Updated quite a lot.

Also, thanks Goli and Guild McCommunist! Added most of your suggestions.

Anybody else have any constructive criticism?
 

techboy

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Very nice FAQ
smile.gif


SoulSnatcher said:
Anybody else have any constructive criticism?
Three things to suggest:

* In the spoiler for Wii Speak's Compatible games, there's "[title=Compatible Games]" at the top.
* Mii Channel is missing from the Channels section.
* Today and Tomorrow Fortune Teller Channel is missing from the Channels section. (Free channel offered in PAL & JAP shops only. Not available in the USA without using homebrew.)
 

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