Two roads diverged and Nintendo took the one less traveled by. Nintendo has ventured off the well trodden path with its newest system, the Wii. While the PlayStation 3 (PS3) and Xbox 360 both emphasize their intense graphics, Nintendo is aiming for something entirely different, focusing instead on delivering fun and innovative gameplay, leaving Sony and Microsoft to battle it out at the high end. While the Sony and Microsoft consoles maintain their branding on their next generation toys, the Wii represents an extreme departure in name and function from Nintendo's previous systems. While the PS3 and the Xbox 360 both use conventional gamepads, the Wii utilizes a device that looks more like a TV remote. Nintendo's maverick style backfired with earlier products such as the Power Glove and Virtual Boy. But the Nintendo Wii succeeds where those products failed for one reason: it's fun to play. The Wii's biggest and most obvious appeal is the ability to use its motion-sensing controller to play Wii-specific games. The Wiimote is a sophisticated motion-sensing controller that connects wirelessly to the Wii via the Bluetooth wireless protocol. Accelerometers inside the remote sense how the device is being held. You hold the Wiimote differently depending on the game: you grasp it like the hilt of a sword in Zelda and Red Steel, or as a baseball bat or tennis racket in Wii Sports. You can even hold it horizontally as a steering bar for Excite Truck. The system comes with Wii Sports, a simple yet addictive sports game that lets users try out the innovative controller. Wii Sports lets users swing the controller to simulate the actual motions used in baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, and boxing. While the Wii's controller is very advanced and innovative, its processing power is not nearly up to par with Xbox 360 or the PS3. Also, while Microsoft's and Sony's consoles support high-definition outputs of up to 1080p, the Wii can hit only the GameCube's ceiling of 480p. So, if you're looking for state-of-the-art graphics, you'll want to save up money for the more expensive PS3 or the Xbox 360. In addition, the Wii does not play audio CDs or video DVDs, which is surprising in a such a modern system. With a price tag of about $550--somewhat less than its competitors-- the Nintendo Wii can hardly disappoint avid gamers. It also offers a miniscule footprint--easily the smallest and lightest of the new generation of game machines--about the size of three DVDs. A quick synopsis: Pros: A revolutionary controller design offering unique motion-sensitive gameplay; built-in Wi-Fi delivering free online; compatible with all GameCube games and controllers; a built-in SD slot for storage and photo viewing; most affordable of all next-gen systems. Cons: The controller eats batteries and also requires a steep learning curve; the system lacks the advanced HD graphics and surround sound found on the Xbox 360 and the PS3; the system can't play CDs or DVDs. Bottom Line: Not nearly the graphical behemoths that the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are, the Nintendo Wii appeals to consumers through its unique motion-sensitive controller, its emphasis on fun gaming, and affordability.

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