The new generation is here, so I thought I would look back at the systems of the last generation and discuss some of the highlights these systems offered to each of us.
The Wii
Hardware:
The baffeling name aside, the Nintendo Wii truly was a revolitionary piece of technology. Motion controls had been hinted at in previous generations, but not integrated into the core experience like Nintendo did with the Wii. Nintendo's focus on unique gameplay instead of graphics cause many gamers to scoff at them before the hardware came out, but in the end, the Wii approach was the more successful one. The system itself was sleek and appealing and offered a different way to use a game system.
The Wii broke into new markets and skyrocketted quickly into the top of the sales charts. The system didn't stay on store shelves for long for the first couple years. The motion controls on the Wii were new and word of mouth for the system was huge. They also added gameplay changing peripherals as the system continued with the wii fit board and the motion plus attachment.
In the end, the demand for the system was a quick burn. It sold quicker than the others, but it also dropped off quicker than the others.
Software:
The biggest part of any game system is its catalogue of games, these are the 5 game series that defined my time with the Wii.
Wii Sports
It is interesting that this free pack in game probably sold more Wii's than anything. These 5 simple sports games showed off how motion controls can be utilized to get people off their feet and into the game. This is the game the spread the joy of the Wii around and it really was something. You know a game is magical if you can get your 92 year old grandma playing it! 
Wii Fit
Talk about breaking into new markets. Before this game came out, video game consoles were synonimous with lazy, overweight people and the video games were looked at as a underlying cause. Suddenly, video games could make you fit? Soccer moms by thousands rushed their local electronic stores for this so that they could lose weight. How many of them actually lose weight? Probably not that many... but it was fun to play!
Mario
Mario is Nintendo's mascot, so you can't really get a more defining experience than with Mario. He definteily had his A game out for the Wii, with games like galaxy and NSMB we experienced the best the plumber had ever been. I'm going to also include smash bro's and mario kart under the mario umbrella. With Mario Kart being another one of those games that broke into new markets with motion racing controls.
Zelda
The system launched with one of the darker Zelda's we have ever had in Twilight Princess. It was ported up from the gamecube so it didn't necessarily use motion controls that well. However, when skyward sword came out it utilized motion plus to create some of the best one to one swordplay in video games. It also gave a whole new perspective on the Zelda storylines and was one of the best looking games of the generation, even if it wasn't in HD.
Xenoblade Chronicles
Ah, the last Hurrah that almost wasn't. Why Nintendo needed to be petitioned to bring this amazing gem of a game stateside is beyond me. This game is quite frankly the best JRPG in a very long time. The genre has been stagnant or degrading for a while now, and this game breathed new life into the genre for me. The gameplay was amazing, the story was incredible, and the voice acting was top notch. This is a game to buy the Wii for. I loved it, and everything about it.
So what are your fondest memories of the Wii? What moments, games do you think defined the Wii?
