Wii Channels

Up to four players can grab a Wii Remote and play, there's always a party ready to happen with Wii!

The Wii Channels

The Wii Channels are part of the operating system interface for Wii. They are designed around the concept of television channels, with a Wii Menu used to access them. Separate channels are graphically displayed in a grid, and are navigated using the pointer capability of the Wii Remote. The grid is completely customizable and users can place links to different channels or virtual console games in the menu's 48 slots.

The Disc Channel channel allows users to play either Wii game discs or any of the entire library of Nintendo GameCube discs.

Mii Channel

The Mii Channel is an avatar creator, where users can design 3D caricatures of people by selecting from a group of facial features. On September 14, 2006 Bill Trinen demonstrated the Mii Channel by creating a Mii meant to resemble Samuel L. Jackson during Nintendo's Wii event in New York City. Users can select from pre-made caricatures or create their own by choosing custom body part shapes, colors, and positioning. For games such as Wii Sports, each player's caricature will be shown as their in-game character appearance. Miis can also be transported to the Wii Remote, and be taken to another Wii.

News Channel

The News Channel allows users to access news headlines and current events. The news is automatically updated and viewable via WiiConnect24 through usage of an internet connection.

Forecast Channel

Weather reports and forecasts can be downloaded onto the console via the WiiConnect24 service. The service displays a view of the Earth, in which players can access other regions across the globe.

Photo Channel

With the Photo Channel, photos and videos can be viewed by inserting an SD card into the front of the Wii console. A built-in editor allows users to add markings and effects to their photos. Mosaics, slideshows, and puzzles can also be created with this feature.

Wii Shop Channel

Wii Points can be purchased and redeemed in the Wii Shop Channel. Wii Points allow users to download newly added channels and video games for the Virtual Console. The channel can also be used to download the Opera browser used in the Internet Channel by usage of Wii Points.

Internet Channel

Similar to its use as the Nintendo DS Browser, the Opera web browser will be available for download, according to Nintendo, and can be purchased using Wii Points. The browser will support JavaScript, Flash, and AJAX. In addition to functioning as a web browser, Opera on Wii will serve as a layout engine to be used for web-based applications.

Message Board

The message board is available for users to post messages that are available to other Wii users by usage of friend codes with WiiConnect24. In addition to writing text, players can also include images from their SD card in the body of messages. Announcements of software updates and video game news are also posted on the message board by Nintendo.

Virtual Console Channels

Virtual Console games from past Nintendo systems, as well the SEGA Genesis and Hudson Soft TurboGrafx 16 systems, can be bought from the Wii Shop Channel. When a game has been purchased, it will be permanently placed in the main menu as its own channel.

At the launch of the Wii, six games will be immediately available to purchase: The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Mario Bros., Super Mario World, and Super Mario 64. It has been reported that thirty games will added to the Wii Shop Channel between the time of the Wii's launch and the end of the calendar year, with at least ten games a month being added afterwards.

Wii Play History

Although it may not be an actual channel, Wii Play History automatically records details of what game was played, when and for how long. This with also give parents the ability to set how long their child could play games. Also, with users' cooperation, it could compile data on which game was the most played that year.