Nintendo Co. Ltd.’s game console, the Wii, went on sale in Japan on Saturday. Nintendo’s Wii (pronounced “Wee”) console involves a new design of motion-sensitive controller which executives believe will revolutionise gaming and revive the fortunes of the company which once dominated the market.
The Wii, which competes head on with Sony Corp.’s (6758.T) PlayStation 3 (PS3) and Microsoft Corp.’s (MSFT.O) Xbox 360, features a motion-sensitive controller that allows players to control the game by swinging the device like a tennis racket or wielding it like a sword.
Nintendo, known for such game characters as Mario, Donkey Kong and Pokemon, sells the Wii for 25,000 yen ($216.6) in Japan, making it the lowest-priced game gear among the three.