Nintendo's Wii Packs a Punch

LOS ANGELES, May 10, 2006 — -- It was the talk of the show even before the Electronic Entertainment Expo -- E3 -- began today, but Nintendo's new Wii video game console isn't just hype. It delivers.

In a semi-private backstage sneak peek at the machine, ABCNEWS.com got its hands on the Wii's unique new motion-sensitive controller.

After passing through several layers of security at Nintendo's massive E3 booth and behind a vaultlike door, a new world of video game entertainment awaited those lucky enough to be introduced to what the company hopes will turn everyone into gamers.

To start, we watched as an executive from GamePro played around with an upcoming version of the new "Legend of Zelda" game.

The demonstration had him use the new remote-control-style controller to cast his line, then tug on it to entice a fish to bite. Once it bit, he simply made the motion of reeling in the fish with the other half of the controller -- "the nunchuk" -- and he took in a whopper.

"Wow, that's amazing," he said, as the character he was controlling released the large catfish. "Only catch and release here, huh?"

But along with newly realized versions of the classic Nintendo franchise, games like "Legend of Zelda," "Metroid" and "Super Mario," it's the so-called "sports pack," which includes Wii versions of tennis, baseball and golf, that take full advantage of the controller's functions.

Wind up your baseball bat and twirl it like Gary Shefield, then as the ball approaches the plate, slam it into the upper deck by just swinging the remote.

If tennis is more your speed, dash back and forth in front of the TV and swing away, twisting the controller to add backspin or topspin and take the match point.