Nintendo's 'Revolution' Gets a Name: 'Wii'

April 27, 2006 -- -- Nintendo's entry into the next generation video game console war has been called many things by many people, but now it has an official name: "Wii" -- pronounced "we."

The official naming of the console, which had been code named "Revolution" for what a spokesperson calls its "disruptive nature," comes less than two weeks before the world's biggest industry-only video game trade show, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3.

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"While the code name 'Revolution' expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer," read a statement from Nintendo of America Inc. "Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else."

Wii's double "I's" are meant to represent the unit's unique controller, which is broken into two parts. But the word itself is meant to conjure up a sense of inclusiveness.

"It's really not about you or me," said the statement. "It's about Wii. And together, Wii will change everything."

The new console's name is part of a broader strategy by Nintendo to introduce video games to a bigger audience.

"Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak," the statement read. "No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii."

But not everyone is convinced it's a strategy that's necessary.

"I was one of those people who were hoping they'd just leave it 'Revolution,'" said Brian Crecente, editor of game blog Kotaku and video game writer for the Rocky Mountain News. "I really think this boils down to Nintendo trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist."

Crecente says the name of a console has never affected the gaming community's capacity to enjoy -- or revile -- it, and he doubts the name will have an impact on someone who doesn't game.

Still, he's reserving judgment, he says, until the name's had a chance to sink in.