Cultural Analysis of The Wii
The Wii was, and in some cases still is, a staple in many homes all across America. For years, so many children and families grew up playing the Wii. Therefore, it is no wonder that the Wii can be used to define childhood. Specifically, the Wii defines childhood in the way it brought so many families together in an accessible, affordable and fun way that strengthens family bonds and encourages creativity. While other consoles were expensive and catered to a specific audience, the Wii was relatively inexpensive and had a wide variety of games that even children could enjoy.
The Wii, a gaming console released in 2006, is simple to the eye; the original console is, when standing upright, 15 x 10 x 4.5 inches, white, and weighs in at about 8 pounds. However, Nintendo advertises the console as revolutionary, and others like Britannica call it innovative, and a closer look into the capabilities of the console reveals that it is nothing less than that.
The console brought a new concept into the world of video gaming: motion controls that allowed for physical activity through games like “Just Dance” and “Wii Sports.” which got players out of their bedrooms and into the living room. This, alongside the countless array of games that appealed to a range of different players, made the Wii something anyone of any age could enjoy. This allowed for the Wii to be a perfect option for families.
The focal point of Britannica’s entry on the Wii is undoubtedly the innovations of the Wii. They begin by stating that “The Wii’s innovations begin with its controllers” (Nintendo Wii), which is certainly the truth. The Wii’s motion censored controls allowed for the Wii to bring a whole new gaming experience to its users. Now, users have to stand up and compete with other players by performing imitated physical activity that will be detected by the remote, such as swinging a golf club or dancing. These realistic multiplayer games allowed for fun for the whole family as these games did not require previous gaming experience. Britannica then goes on to mention that “Instead of directly competing with rival video consoles, such as the Microsoft Corporation’s Xbox 360 and the Sony Corporation’s PlayStation 3 (PS3), in terms of processing power and graphics display, Nintendo produced an innovative, low-cost console that featured multiplayer “party” games” (Britannica). This affordability is one of the many factors that contributed to the Wii’s popularity.
While the Britannica’s entry on the Wii focuses heavily on the innovations of the Wii, it also emphasizes the popularity of the device, stating that “While the Xbox 360 and the PS3 were fighting over the traditional, or ‘hard-core,’ gamers, the Wii broadened the entire video-game console market and in the process established the largest user base” (Britannica). This was made possible by the Wii’s previously mentioned low cost and wide range of games. Thanks to the low cost and the fact that it had games that everyone could enjoy, more families were able to purchase the Wii, allowing for the Wii’s user base to grow beyond any other video game consoles during its time.
Britannica also highlights the Wii’s aforementioned use as a console for the whole family. “The Wii’s specialty is group play, with a wide range of games and modes that are simple enough for inexperienced gamers but enjoyable enough for hard-core gamers” (Britannica). This flexibility is what allowed for the Wii’s immense popularity amongst families. This allowed for countless to develop a love for the Wii; and oftentimes, for the same game. Because the Wii introduced games that could be played by a variety of different players of different ages and experience, an adult and a child could play together and create memories that would last a lifetime.
The Wii’s low price is definitely another one of the factors that allowed for the Wii to be so easily accessible for so many families. The Nintendo retailed for about $250 in America and came with one game, according to an NBC news article entitled “Nintendo’s Wii Launch Goes Smoothly” that was released shortly after the release of the Wii. The Wii’s release brought countless to line up at the Toys-R-Us in Times Square and the Wii was sold out almost immediately, despite having “stocks that far surpassed those of the rival PlayStation 3, which went on sale two days earlier” (Svensson). Thanks to this low price, more families could afford to purchase the Wii for their children as the Wii was nearly half the price of its competitors and even included a game. Thanks to the price, and the wide range of affordable games, many families were able to bring a Wii home. This accessibility, alongside the affordable price and inclusive play, is what defines childhood by the strong relationships that were able to be cultivated through this play.
A deeper dive into the new types of games that were available thanks to the motion-sensored controls again reveals how inclusive these new games were to people of all gaming experience. As stated by Mike Finnerty, games like “’Wii Sports’ could be enjoyed by anyone from a 5-year-old to an octogenarian.” (Finnerty). Even games as simple as Nintendogs were wildly popular and brought in a new audience as those who weren’t interested or were too young for games such as Call of Duty now had a game more suited to their tastes. Furthermore, families who were looking for a game they could play together looked no further than the Wii, as these games that were fun for people of all ages allowed for intergenerational play, which allowed families to bond. Through play, children bonded with their families and cultivated strong relationships, another incredibly important part of childhood. “By making a conscious effort to incorporate humor and play into your daily interactions with your children, you can improve the quality of your relationships and connect on a deeper level.” (Connecting With Your Child Through Play: The Surprising Benefits of Parent-Child Playtime). Creating these healthy relationships, expecially through fun activity such as play, is so important because it creates a positive relationship between the families and allows the children to cultivate a safe space and relationship they feel comfortable in.
While in our age, where even virtual reality headsets and self-driving cars have been integrated into society so much so that we barely blink an eye at them, motion-sensor controls seem almost dull. However, back with the release of the Wii, these controls are one of the many things that set the Wii apart from its competitors. Children could now “[swing] around a controller like Luke Skywalker to defeat enemies” (Finnerty) which brought a whole new level of fun to video gaming. With this new technology, gaming became easier for children as instead of memorizing buttons and their functions on a remote, they simply had to move around. This also helped to improve motor skills. Furthermore, with games catered to the interests of children, they were able to explore their interests– which is one of the many things childhood is about.
The influence of the Wii in the childhoods of many can even be seen today, beyond those who are still using and purchasing the Wii. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an incredible example of the Wii’s influence on the childhood and development of people who played the Wii as children. As pointed out by Mike Finnerty, although the game was not initially released for the Wii console, many of those who began playing video games for the first time because of the Wii and played Animal Crossing back then are still playing and got Animal Crossing: New Horizons to sell over 35 million copies. The game was especially popular with teenagers and adults who played Animal Crossing as children, who now enjoy the nostalgia of the new game. Older audiences continue to reach for Nintendo games because of the positive impact they had on their childhood– bonding with their families through play, and exploring their interests and cultivating new ones. This trend only shows to highlight the Wii’s success as a console for families and children, as children grew to have such a deep connection with video games that it translated into them purchasing games from the same series they played as kids.
The Wii revolutionized the way people could play video games and made it easier for children to participate. Thanks to it’s innovative functions, low-cost, customizable and realistic gaming experience, it’s no wonder that the Wii was able to bring together countless families through accessible, affordable, inclusive play. While it’s easy to look at the Wii and see it at face value, it’s important to take a closer look into how it shaped the childhood of so many. The Wii helped foster deeper family connections and encourage creativity in childhood. By knowing how the Wii impacted the childhoods of so many, we can apply this to our futures and understand how technology will continue to impact childhood in the future.
Works Cited
Exchange Family Center. “Connecting with Your Child through Play: The Surprising Benefits of Parent-Child Playtime.” Exchange Family Center, Exchange Family Center, 10 Apr. 2018, https://www.exchangefamilycenter.org/exchange-family-center-blog/2018/4/10/connecting-with-your-child-through-play-the-surprising-benefits-of-parent-child-playtime#:~:text=Play%20helps%20build%20strong%20relationships,trust%20others%20and%20feel%20safe.
Finnerty, Mike. “The Nintendo Wii at 15: The Unorthodox Gamble That Changed Gaming History.” Entertainment.ie, 2 Dec. 2021, https://entertainment.ie/gaming/nintendo-wii-15-504040/.
“Nintendo Wii.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 23 Jan. 2017, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nintendo-Wii.
Svensson, Peter. “Nintendo’s Wii Launch Goes Smoothly.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 19 Nov. 2006, https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15802977.