Nintendo Wii: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Nintendo launched the Wii in North America on November 19, 2006. Its motion-sensing Wii Remote and the bundled Wii Sports brought in players of every age, and it became one of the best-selling home consoles ever made.
Quick facts
| North American launch | November 19, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
| Media | 12 cm optical discs (also plays GameCube discs on RVL-001) |
| Controllers | Up to 4 Wii Remotes |
| Best-selling game | Wii Sports |
| Worldwide sales | 101.63 million |
| Discontinued | 2013 |
Models and what changed
Most original RVL-001 consoles include four GameCube controller ports and two GameCube memory card slots under flip-up covers, so they can play GameCube discs. Some later RVL-001 units made from 2011 onward removed those ports.
The RVL-101 Wii Family Edition, released in 2011, is designed to lie flat and has no GameCube support. It plays all Wii games normally.
The RVL-201 Wii Mini is a small top-loading model with no GameCube support, no internet connection, no SD card slot and composite video only. It is the most limited version to buy.
Tips for buying one today
- You need the console, power adapter, sensor bar, AV cable and at least one Wii Remote. Many games also need a Nunchuk, and some require the Wii MotionPlus accessory or a Wii Remote Plus.
- If you want to play GameCube games, look for an RVL-001 and check that the GameCube ports and memory card slots are present under the top covers.
- The Wii outputs up to 480p. Component cables give the sharpest picture on a modern TV, and a Wii-to-HDMI adapter is a simple alternative.
- Test the disc drive with a dual-layer game such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl or Xenoblade Chronicles, since worn lasers often struggle with those discs first.
- Wii games are region locked, so a North American console needs North American discs.
Games to play first
- Super Mario Galaxy
- Super Mario Galaxy 2
- Mario Kart Wii
- Wii Sports
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Xenoblade Chronicles
- Donkey Kong Country Returns
Shop by genre
Wii Action & Adventure Games · Wii Shooters · Wii Sports Games · Wii Racing Games · Wii Simulation Games · Wii Party & Family Games · Wii Music & Rhythm Games
Guides
- How to Connect a GameCube or Wii to a Modern TV
- The Wii Turns 20: Is It Still Worth Buying in 2026?
- Games Like Mario Kart: 10 Kart Racers to Play Next
- Games Like Animal Crossing: 10 Cozy Life Sims to Play Next
Frequently asked questions
Which Wii plays GameCube games?
Original RVL-001 consoles with GameCube controller ports and memory card slots under the top covers. The RVL-101 Family Edition, Wii Mini and some late RVL-001 units do not.
Does the Wii support HDMI?
No. Its best output is 480p through component cables. You can also use an HDMI adapter that plugs into the AV port.
Can I still play Wii games online?
Nintendo shut down Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in May 2014 and closed the Wii Shop Channel in January 2019, so official online play and digital purchases are no longer available.
Can a Wii U play Wii games?
Yes. The Wii U plays Wii discs and supports Wii Remotes and accessories, though it does not play GameCube discs.