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Wii Menu

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The Wii Menu is the top level menu interface of the Wii game console. Available applications, known as "channels", are displayed in a grid and navigated using the pointer capability of the Wii Remote. The grid is customizable; users can move channels amongst the menu's 48 slots.

The Wii Menu as displayed on a widescreen television

Included channels

Disc Channel

File:Disc channel.jpg
The Disc Channel, with no disc inserted

The Disc Channel allows users to play Wii and Nintendo GameCube titles. The Disc Channel displays the name of the Wii title that is present in the drive and plays a sound clip. If a GameCube title is in the drive it displays the GameCube logo and plays the GameCube's default startup sound. However, the channel does not display the game logo and identifying information that the GameCube does.

It also treats discs from another region as unreadable. If an unreadable disc is inserted (or if the disc is inserted the wrong way), the channel will display an error message that reads, "Unable to read the disc. Check the Wii Operations Manual for help troubleshooting."

If no disc is inserted in the drive, the channel displays the image at the right. When a GameCube or Wii disc is inserted into the drive, the pictures of both discs spin until the type of disk is recognized. Once the disc type is recognized, the extra disc fades out and the recognized disc descends into a slot. When on the Wii Menu, when a disc is inserted, there will be a disc to the left of the channel.

This is the only immobile channel. It is always positioned in the upper left corner of the far left page.

Mii Channel

Main article: Mii
The Mii Channel

The Mii (pronounced "me") Channel is an avatar creator, where users can design 3D caricatures of people (Miis) by selecting from a group of facial and bodily features. At the Game Developers Conference 2007, Shigeru Miyamoto explained that the look and design of the Mii characters are based on Kokeshi, a form of Japanese doll used as souvenir gifts in Japan.

A Wired News interview of Katsuya Eguchi (producer of Animal Crossing and Wii Sports) held in 2006 confirmed that the custom player avatar feature shown at Nintendo's E3 Media Briefing would be included in the hardware. The feature was described as part of a "Profile" system that contains the caricature and other pertinent player information.[1] This application was officially unveiled by Nintendo in September 2006. It is incorporated into Wii's operating system interface as the "Mii Channel". Users can select from pre-made caricatures or create their own by choosing custom facial shapes, colors, and positioning. In certain games (including Wii Sports, Wii Play, WarioWare: Smooth Moves, Mario Party 8, and Mario Strikers Charged) each player's caricature will serve as the character he/she controls in some/all forms of gameplay. Miis can interact with other Wii users by showing up on their Wii consoles through the WiiConnect24 feature or by talking with other Miis created by Wii owners all over the world. This feature is called Mii Parade. Early-created Miis as well as those encountered in Mii Parades may show up as spectators in some games.[2] Miis can be stored on Wii Remotes and taken to other Wii consoles. The remote can hold up to a maximum amount of 10 Miis. The Wii itself can hold 100 Miis.

Photo Channel

File:Photo channel.jpg
An image being edited with the Photo Channel

If a user inserts an SD card into the console, or sends photos (JPEG) or videos (MJPEG) via email, they can be viewed by means of the Photo Channel. The user can create a slideshow by simply inserting an SD card with photos and, if they want to add music, an MP3 file will work. The Wii will automatically add transitions between the photos and play the music in the background. A built-in editor allows users to add markings and effects to their photos. Mosaics and puzzles can also be created with this feature. Edited photos can be saved to the Wii (the Wii will not overwrite data on the SD card) and sent to other Wiis via the message board. According to the system's manual, the following file extensions (i.e. formats) are supported: Photos (jpeg/jpg), Movies (mov/avi), and Music (mp3/aac).

JPEG files can be up to 8192x8192 resolution and in baseline format.[3] Video data contained within the .mov or .avi files must be in an OpenDML compliant MotionJPEG use some variant of this format for their videos).[4]

An optional update to the Photo Channel will be available in early December 2007. It will allow customization of the Wii Menu by letting users replace the Photo Channel icon with a picture taken from an SD card. It will also allow playback of songs in random order. MP3 support will be replaced with AAC.[5] Consoles released after this date will come with the update preinstalled, and cannot be "downgraded" to play MP3 files. Wii games that feature playback of MP3 files will continue to support the MP3 format. The Wii games will not play AAC files [6].

Wii Shop Channel

File:Wii Shop channel.jpg
The Wii Shop Channel

The Wii Shop Channel allows users to download games and other software by redeeming Wii Points, which can be obtained by purchasing Wii Points Cards from retail outlets or directly through the Shop Channel using MasterCard or Visa credit cards online. A feature to purchase download software as gifts for others is scheduled to be available worldwide in December 2007.[7]

Software

The software downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel is saved onto the Wii console's internal memory. After a download is completed, the new software appears on the Wii Menu in the form of an additional channel. Software can be backed up to SD cards, but they can only be saved directly onto the Wii's flash memory when downloading.

Four "Recommended Titles" are placed on the Wii Shop Channel's splash page where they can be easily accessed, with new titles and prices indicated.

Starting the update on February 16, 2007, Nintendo of Europe/Australia sometimes adds another extra piece of news, of which the title is disguised an ASCII face. These link to articles called the Warp Zone, which feature highly detailed background information and tips and tricks for a newly added game. Warp Zone articles are only about games on Nintendo consoles.

Starting the update on March 30, 2007, Nintendo of Europe/Australia adds separate news articles for every new game added in an update to the Wii Shop's front page. These contain some more information on the games. Previously, all new games in an update would be announced in a single piece of news (with the exceptions of some flagship titles, such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time), with very little background information. This was added to the North American Wii Shop Channel on May 14 2007.

The Wii Shop Channel's interface was heavily updated on August 6, 2007. The welcome screen has a new look. Games are now categorized by System, Genre, or Publisher, and a number of games in that category is shown. Users can now search for a specific game using a text box.

Software in the Wii Shop Channel is currently divided into two sections:

Virtual Console

The Virtual Console portion of the Wii Shop specializes in older software originally designed and released for home entertainment platforms that are now defunct. These games are played on the Wii through the emulation of the older hardware.

The prices are generally the same in almost every region and are determined primarily by the software's original platform. The following are the starting prices for games from each platform (however, some select titles are priced higher):

However on the 1st of October 2007, Nintendo released two imported games from Japan (Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Sin & Punishment) that would be available for download, with these games costing 20% more than their normal price due to import status and some translation work. Nintendo plans to release many other Japanese games to America as well, such as the Fire Emblem and Mother series.[citation needed]

Additions to the Virtual Console lineup are made every Monday. Updates are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. EST on Mondays in North America and 12:00 a.m. CET on Fridays in Europe.

WiiWare

This portion of the Wii Shop specializes on software specifically designed for Wii known as WiiWare (Wii Software in Europe). Currently, this section offers only Internet Channel (a web browser application), Everybody Votes Channel, Check Mii Out Channel (Mii Contest Channel in Europe) and Metroid Prime 3 Preview. The latter three are free of charge, however since July 1 2007 the Internet Channel has required a onetime fee of 500 Wii points.

While actual "games" have also been planned to appear in this section since its inception, there had been no official word on when any would be appearing until June 27 2007 when Nintendo made an official confirmation in a press release which confirmed the first titles would surface sometime in 2008. Curiously, the press release refers to the announcement as "the introduction of WiiWare" with "The first WiiWare content [launching] in early 2008", despite the fact that first party WiiWare content was introduced December 2006 with the trial release of Internet Channel.

The WiiWare section is also being touted as a forum to provide developers with small budgets to release innovative, original, and smaller-scale games without the investment and risk of creating a title to be sold at retail (somewhat akin to Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Store). According to Nintendo the "remarkable motion controls will give birth to fresh takes on established genres, as well as original ideas that currently exist only in developers' minds". WiiWare titles are available in the Wii Shop Channel and, just like Virtual Console games, are purchased using Wii Points. Nintendo will handle all pricing options for the downloadable games.[8]

On July 7, 2007, Bplus, a Viennese company, announced that they will be one of the first third-party developers to offer original titles to Nintendo's download service beginning with a game called PLÄTTCHEN - twist 'n' paint, a puzzle/shooter game.[9] GarageGames has also released a version of their game engine to support WiiWare software development. Medaverse Studios has announced new WiiWare game named Gravitronix.[10]

On October 10, 2007, Nintendo held a press conference in Japan. The press conference previewed new WiiWare titles, including: Pokémon Bokujō Channel, Dr. Mario & Bacteria Extermination, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Young King and the Promised Land.[11] The conference also disclosed information on Okiraku Ping Pong[12], Mojipittan Wii, Maruboushikaku, and Minna de Puzzloop. Game developer Hudson announced 3 new WiiWare titles: Bomberman, Star Soldier R, and Joy Sound, the latter of which being a karaoke channel.[13]

The new WiiWare titles are scheduled for a March 2008 Japanese release. A North American release has yet to be announced.

Downloading

During downloads, an 8-bit Mario runs across the screen collecting coins, representing the download's progress, with one coin representing one percent. Every 25%, Mario will hit one of the three blocks on the screen. The third and final block is a multi-coin block that Mario will stand under and continue to hit from 75% until the download is complete. Pressing A will make Mario shoot fire balls if he is Fire Mario. Sometimes, Luigi appears in place of Mario, or both Mario and Luigi will swim across the screen. There are six different animations, some appearing more often than others.

Forecast Channel

File:Into-the-wii-forecast-channel-20061219055952773.jpg
Screenshot of Forecast Channel with weather from Seattle.

Forecast Channel allows weather reports and forecasts to be downloaded onto the console from the Internet via the WiiConnect24 service. The Forecast Channel displays a view of the Earth as a globe (courtesy of NASA), with which users can view weather in other regions. The user can also spin the globe. When fully zoomed out, an accurate[14] star map is visible in the background (the Big Dipper and Orion constellations are easily recognizable, for example). The Forecast Channel features include looking at the current forecast, the UV index, today's overall forecast, tomorrow's forecast, a 5-day forecast, and a laundry check (Japan only). The Forecast Channel first became available on December 19, 2006, one day earlier than previously advertised. Certain games (like Madden NFL 07 or the upcoming NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams) can use the Forecast Channel to simulate weather conditions depending on the player's region.[15]

There are slight variations of Forecast Channel versions in different regions. When viewing weather conditions in Japan, a different set of weather icons is used. The Japanese icons were originally going to be used for all regions, but NOA (Nintendo of America) requested that more life-like icons be used. NOA also requested that the current weather conditions be displayed on the start up screen. Nintendo of Europe made a request that certain icons be made more distinct, such as the storm clouds, so that it would be possible for the user to tell if an area is getting rain, snow, sleet, hail, or thunderstorms. Additionally, the laundry index was only featured in the Japanese version. [16]

After the August 6 update, Forecast Channel shows the current weather's icon in the Wii Menu.

News Channel

News Channel allows users to access news headlines and current events obtained from the Internet.[17] News articles are available on a globe view, similar to Forecast Channel, and as a slide show.[18] The content is automatically updated and viewable via WiiConnect24. Clickable news images are supported, and the Channel's Operations Guide suggests that video and audio may be available in the future.[19]

News Channel became available in North America, Europe and Australia on January 26, 2007. Content is in a variety of languages provided by the Associated Press, which currently has a two-year contract to provide news and photos to Nintendo.[20] Canadian news is submitted by the Canadian Press for publication. Japanese news is provided by the Japanese news agency Goo.[citation needed]

Starting with the August 6 update, News Channel shows a ticker in the Wii Menu.

Additional channels

Virtual Console channels

Main article: Virtual Console

The Virtual Console allows games from previous (non-GameCube/handheld) Nintendo systems, as well as formerly competing systems, the Mega Drive/Genesis, the TurboGrafx-16, the MSX and the Neo Geo[21], to be bought online and played on the Wii through software emulation. Games purchased appear as individual channels.

A selection of games were available at the system's launch in each region, with new titles added on a regular basis thereafter. For example, 33 games were added to the North American version of Wii Shop Channel between its launch on November 19, 2006, and the end of the year, with at least ten games a month expected in 2007.[22] However, each region does not necessarily receive the same titles at the same time, if at all.

Internet Channel

Main article: Internet Channel

Internet Channel is a version of the Opera web browser for use on the Wii by Opera Software and Nintendo.[23] On December 22, 2006 a free beta version (promoted as a "trial version") of the browser was released.[24] The final version of the browser was released on April 11, 2007 and was free to download until the end of June 2007. Since this deadline has passed, Internet Channel now costs 500 Wii Points to download.[25] Users who downloaded the browser before June 30 2007, can continue to use it at no cost for the lifetime of the Wii system.[26] An update was recently added to this which allows the use of a USB keyboard.

Features and fixes found in the final version include: improved zooming and scrolling with an improved font, reduced startup time, the ability to hide the toolbar, and preset buttons for typing phrases such as 'www.' and '.com'.[27]

Opera Software was previously responsible for the Nintendo DS Browser for Nintendo's handheld system.

Internet Channel uses whichever connection is chosen in the Wii Settings, and utilizes the user's internet connection directly; There is no third party network that traffic is being routed through. It receives a connection from a router/modem and uses a web browser to pull up HTTP and HTTPS (secure and encrypted) web pages. Opera, the Wii's web browser, is capable of rendering most web sites in the same manner as its desktop counterpart by using Opera's Medium Screen Rendering technology. For most internet users, the Wii offers all of the functionality they need to perform the most common web tasks.

The software is saved to the Wii's 512 MB internal flash memory (can be copied to an SD card after downloaded). The temporary Internet files (maximum of 5MB for the trial version) can only be saved to the Wii's internal Memory. The application launches within a few seconds, after connecting to the Internet through a wireless LAN using the built in interface or a wired LAN by using the USB to Ethernet adapter (sold separately).

The Opera-based Wii browser allows users full access to the Web and supports all the same web standards that are included in the desktop versions of Opera, including CSS and JavaScript. It is also possible for the browser to use technologies such as Ajax, SVG, RSS, and Adobe Flash 7. Opera Software has indicated that the functionality will allow for third parties to create web applications specifically designed for the use on the Wii Browser, and it will support Widgets, standalone web-based applications using Opera as an application platform.[28] The company has also stated that some Wii video games may implement the use of the browser.[29]

This channel was updated as part of the Wii update on October 10 2007.

Everybody Votes Channel

Main article: Everybody Votes Channel
File:Everbody Votes.JPG
Everybody Votes Channel start screen

Everybody Votes Channel allows users to vote in simple opinion polls and compare and contrast opinions with those of friends, family and people across the globe.

Everybody Votes Channel was launched on February 13, 2007, and is available in the WiiWare/Wii Software section of the Wii Shop. The application allows Wii owners to vote on various questions using their Mii as a registered voter. Additionally, voters can also make predictions for the choice that will be the most popular overall after their own vote has been cast. Each Mii's voting and prediction record is tracked and voters can also compare whether their beliefs are in line with those of the majority of voters. Whether the Mii is correct in its predictions or not is displayed on a statistics page along with a counter of how many times that Mii has voted. Up to six Miis can be registered to vote on the console. The channel is free to download.

This channel was updated as part of the Wii update on October 10 2007.

Metroid Prime 3 Preview

File:MetroidPrime3Preview.JPG
Metroid Prime 3's screen on the Wii Menu

On August 10, 2007 in North America, Nintendo released a special promotional channel for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, available for download from the WiiWare section of the Wii Shop Channel for free. The channel features videos showing gameplay and storyline details. There is also a "game" where the player wipes off the screen to see a big picture.

The channel was later released in Europe, Australia and New Zealand on October 15, 2007.

Check Mii Out (Mii Contest) Channel

Mii Contest Channel in Wii Menu

The Check Mii Out Channel, known as the Mii Contest Channel in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, is a channel that allows players to share their Miis and enter them in to popularity contests. It was released worldwide at 12:45 am UTC on 11 November 2007. It is available free to download from the WiiWare section of the Wii Shop Channel.

After assigning a Mii as an "Artisan" to identify the user, two sections become available in the Check Mii Out Channel: Posting Plaza and Contests. In the Posting Plaza, players can view posted Miis from around the world or from their own region and import these Miis into their Mii Channel, in addition to submitting their own creations to the Plaza. Each submitted Mii is assigned a twelve digit Entry Number to aid in searching. Submitted Miis are given 2 initials by their creator and a skill/talent to aid in sorting. When importing Miis, the player is allowed to give the Mii whatever name they want.

Check Mii Out is the first Wii Channel that uses the Wii Message board. Users can opt to receive messages concerning the newest contests and enter the Check Mii Out channel directly from these messages.

In the Contests section, players can submit their own Miis to compete in contests to best fit a certain description (e.g. Mario without his cap). After the time period for sending a Mii has expired, the user has the choice of voting for three Miis featured on the judging panel, with ten random Miis being shown at a time.

Once the judging period is over, the results of the contest may be viewed. If the user has submitted a Mii to the contest OR voted for other users' entries, those Miis are shown running up a mountain that represents how popular they were in comparison to other entries. The user is told their "Eye for Miis," (e.g. Average, Untrained) and hovering over each selected Mii displays a level (e.g. 9th Level, 3rd Level).

The "Level System" is based on a 1-10 scale (set with 10 being the highest possible scoring and 1 as the last). Depending on how well your character fits the designated topic (originality, how closely it resembles, and pretty much just to make sure that you didn't find the most popular one and copy that) is how to get scored.

The user is then shown the first place Mii, along with it's "Artisan." This leads into the top 50 Miis for the contest, viewable either as a Parade or Arranged.

Those who participated in a contest can create a souvenir photo that shows their submitted Mii and their artisan placed and posed on top of a background related to the contest theme, the image can then be sent to the Wii message board.

Everyone's Nintendo Channel

The Everyone's Nintendo Channel allows Wii users to watch trailers for games and download demos for the Nintendo DS. In this capacity the channel works in a similar way to a DS Download Station. Users can also rate games that they have played, and a search feature is also available to assist users in finding new games to try. Videos such as interviews, trailers, and commercials are also available on the channel. This channel went live in Japan on November 27, 2007.[30] This channel is currently not yet available outside Japan.

Wii Fit Channel

In coordination with their announcement of Wii Fit at E3 2007, Nintendo also issued a press release which stated that users of the game would be able to compare their results and progress on a new channel on the Wii Menu. Instead of having to play the game itself, this new Wii Channel allowers the player to see their results and compare with others. This channel was released with Wii Fit, which was released on December 1, 2007 in Japan. It has not been released outside of Japan.[31]

Future channels

The following are Wii Channels that have been announced but have not yet been released.


TV Program Guide Channel

TV Program Guide Channel allows one to check what programs are on television. Content will be provided by G-Guide and is set to launch in March 2008 in Japan. The Channel is said to be "very fun and Nintendo-esque".[32][33] The Channel was also suggested to be launched in North America in May 2008, but Nintendo currently has no plans to release it in that region.[34]

Everybody Channel

"Everybody Channel" lets you preview Nintendo games and a basic DS Download Channel. See real reviews of games. Japan has it. Release date will be out in December.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

Recent system updates added a number of minor features to the Message Board, including minor aesthetic changes, USB keyboard support and the ability to receive internet links from friends, which can be launched in the Internet Channel.

System updates

Main article: Wii System Updates

The Wii is capable of downloading updates to its core operating software. These updates may include additional features, patches/fixes, or support for newly released channels. When an update becomes available, Nintendo notifies users by sending a message to their console. Updates are included with certain Wii games, both requiring one to be fully updated in order to play and providing the update should one lack the necessary internet connection. The most recent update was on October 10, and it allowed full support for keyboard functions.

Criticism

Although the Wii Menu lets one do a number of tasks that are not associated with games, these features have been met with criticism on the software.

  • Photos, even high resolution ones, are compressed and decreased in resolution.[35]
  • Virtual Console games are stretched if the console is set to 16:9 widescreen mode, requiring the player to change the TV settings or the Wii system's to 4:3 to play Virtual Console games in their original aspect ratio.[35]

References

  1. ^ Kohler, Chris. "Confirmed: Wii Hardware Stores Player Caricatures, Profiles". Wired. Retrieved 2006-06-03.
  2. ^ "Wii Channel Breakdown".
  3. ^ "File types compatible with the Photo Channel". Retrieved 2007-01-16.
  4. ^ "Known Compatible Devices - Movie Files". Retrieved 2007-01-16.
  5. ^ http://wii.nintendo.com/photo_channel.jsp
  6. ^ http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/channelsPhoto.jsp#photo1.1
  7. ^ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119339279426272783.html
  8. ^ http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=12571
  9. ^ http://www.bplus.at/pr070707en.htm
  10. ^ http://www.medaverse.com/press070820.html
  11. ^ http://wii.ign.com/articles/826/826148p1.html
  12. ^ http://wii.ign.com/articles/826/826168p1.html
  13. ^ http://wii.ign.com/articles/826/826139p1.html
  14. ^ "Us.Wii.com -- The Global Wii Experience Website in English". Nintendo. Retrieved 2007-04-13.
  15. ^ "Madden NFL 07 (Wii)". CNET. 2006-11-19. Retrieved 2007-02-14.
  16. ^ http://us.wii.com/story_forecast.jsp
  17. ^ "News Channel". Nintendo. Retrieved 2006-09-14.
  18. ^ Woodward, Curt (2007-01-25). "Wii gamers to get online news service". Nintendo. Retrieved 2007-01-25.
  19. ^ "Nintendo's Wii News Channel goes live". 2007-01-26.
  20. ^ "Wii news for gamers". CNN. 2007-01-25. Retrieved 2007-01-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "Nintendo Japan Virtual Console overview" (in Japanese). Nintendo. Retrieved 2007-02-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, and |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Casamassina, Matt (2006-09-14). "Live from New York". IGN. Retrieved 2006-09-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Wii will be using the opera browser Console Watcher
  24. ^ The Opera browser for Wii launches just in time for the holidays
  25. ^ Nintendo of Europe press release
  26. ^ Opera Press Release
  27. ^ Final Version of Wii Browser in April
  28. ^ "Second Quarter 2006 Financial Presentation" (PDF). Opera Software.
  29. ^ Temperton, James (2006-06-03). "Interview: Opera's Nintendo Wii Browser". Cubed3. Retrieved 2006-06-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "DS demos on your Wii in Japan". Club Skill. 2007-11-27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ "Upcoming Wii game release dates". GoNintendo. 2007-07-11. Retrieved 2007-07-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ http://www.cubed3.com/news/8895/1/TV_Schedule_and_Wii_Shop_Upgrade_for_Wii
  33. ^ http://www.n-europe.com/news.php?nid=11197
  34. ^ Will the Wii be a set-top box?
  35. ^ a b http://wii.ign.com/articles/748/748526p3.html
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