Wii Updates From New York: Of Wii Channels and Wiiconnect24

In Part I of our New York Updates, we already told you the official price and release date for the Wii, as well as info about the launch and the number of consoles to be shipped. As promised, we now bring details about Wii Sports, WiiConnect24, Wii Channels, and tons more. For the purpose of brevity and to make it easier on your eyes, let us outline the following topics discussed in the Q&A along with the important details and other information you would want to know (see, we love our readers like that):

Wii Sports: Nintendo will come out with a five-game compilation of Wii Sports (packed with the Wii) which includes tennis, golf, baseball, bowling, and boxing. They then showed the people how to work the Wiimote with the Wii Sports Bowling, and it seemed quite easy. All you’d have to do is to swing the controller back and forth, like hitting a golf ball. By tilting the control as you release, you’d also be able to give the ball a spin.

Wii Channels: Wii channels are designed to also engage non-gamers into the console. The Mii channel allows users to create their own avatars, with customizable facial features, via pointing and clicking the Wiimote. The photo channel allows for easy image viewing by taking your digicam’s SD card and inserting t into the front flap on the Wii. Interface is very user friendly as well.

Another thing that you can do is to transfer movies onto Wii and view, as well as modify, them in real-time. You can also download the Opera Web browser by buying it using Wii points. Then, you can surf the net.

The full article awaits after the jump!

Earlier, we already told you the official price and release date for the Wii, as well as info about the launch and the number of consoles to be shipped. As promised, we now bring details about Wii Sports, WiiConnect24, Wii Channels, and tons more. For the purpose of brevity and to make it easier on your eyes, let us outline the following topics discussed in the Q&A along with the important details and other information you would want to know (see, we love our readers like that):

Wii Sports: Nintendo will come out with a five-game compilation of Wii Sports (packed with the Wii) which includes tennis, golf, baseball, bowling, and boxing. They then showed the people how to work the Wiimote with the Wii Sports Bowling, and it seemed quite easy. All you’d have to do is to swing the controller back and forth, like hitting a golf ball. By tilting the control as you release, you’d also be able to give the ball a spin.

Wii Channels: Wii channels are designed to also engage non-gamers into the console. The Mii channel allows users to create their own avatars, with customizable facial features, via pointing and clicking the Wiimote. The photo channel allows for easy image viewing by taking your digicam’s SD card and inserting t into the front flap on the Wii. Interface is very user friendly as well.

Another thing that you can do is to transfer movies onto Wii and view, as well as modify, them in real-time. You can also download the Opera Web browser by buying it using Wii points. Then, you can surf the net. Which brings us to…

WiiConnect24: There will be no costs in accessing the net on your Wii. All you’ll need is an internet connection at home and you’re all set. And let’s not forget that the Wii is also WiFi enabled, so you have more internet-surfing options.

Through WiiConnect24, users will have access to news (which is constantly updated) and weather channels — provided that you’re connected to the net. There’s also a calendar-based note system where you can leave messages as well as a Wii message board. Through the message board, you can send messages and images to fellow Wii owners, or to PC and cellphone.

Remotes, Titles, etc: In the Q&A, Reggie tells us that the Wiimote will be sold for $39.99 and the nunchuck attachment for $19.99. For prices of games, Reggie says that first-party ones will be sold for $49.99 but that they may not have control over the prices of third-party games. However, such games would sell for around $59.99 and Nintendo encourages third parties to follow this SRP. Third party games will be brought to the Wii by various developers such as Ubisoft, Midway, Konami, EA, Activision, and Vivendi, who has Ice Age 2 in the works for the Wii.

For our fellas in Canada who are concerned as to how the Wii points will be translated for them, Nintendo says that 2,000 Wii points will be equivalent to $24 Canadian. Reggie refused to disclose information about how the DS will be integrated with the Wii, but what he does revealed that Metroid Prime 3 will be available in 2007. He also shares that the first online multiplayer game will be Pokemon Battle, which will come to the US shortly after it launches in Japan along with their console.

Via IGN