As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of both. As of December 31, 2008 the Wii leads the generation over the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in worldwide sales.

The console was known by the code name of “Revolution” until April 27, 2006, immediately prior to E3.

The Nintendo Style Guide refers to the console as “simply Wii, not Nintendo Wii”, making it the first home console Nintendo has marketed outside of Japan without the company name featured in its trademark.

Nintendo’s spelling of “Wii” with two lower-case “i” characters is meant to resemble two people standing side by side, representing players gathering together, as well as to represent the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.

The UK suffered a widespread shortage of console units as many high-street and online stores were unable to fulfill all pre-orders when it was released. Since its launch, the monthly sales numbers of the console have been higher than its competitors across the globe. On September 12, 2007, it was reported by the Financial Times that the Wii had surpassed the Xbox 360, which was released one year previously, and had become the market leader in home console sales for the current generation, based on sales figures from Enterbrain, NPD Group, and GfK. In Australia, the Wii exceeded the record set by the Xbox 360 to become the fastest selling games console in Australian history. This is the first time a Nintendo console has led its generation in sales since the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.

The Wii is Nintendo’s fifth home console, the direct successor to the Nintendo GameCube, and able to play all official GameCube games.

A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and detect movement in three dimensions.

The Wii console is able to connect to the Internet through its built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi or through a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, with both methods allowing players to access the established Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. This system also implements console-based software including the Wii Message Board. The console can also communicate and connect with other Wii systems through a self-generated wireless LAN, enabling local wireless multiplayer on different television sets.