"The Wii (ウィー, pronounced /ˈwiː/, like the pronoun we) is a home video game console released by Nintendo. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others. As of April 2010, the Wii leads the generation over the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in worldwide sales, and in December 2009 broke the record for best-selling console in a single month in the United States.

A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and detects movement in three dimensions. Another distinctive feature of the console is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode.

The Wii is Nintendo's fifth home console, the direct successor to the Nintendo GameCube, and able to play all official GameCube games. Nintendo first spoke of the console at the 2004 E3 press conference and later unveiled the system at the 2005 E3. Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata revealed a prototype of the controller at the September 2005 Tokyo Game Show. At E3 2006, the console won the first of several awards. By December 8, 2006, it had completed its launch in four key markets."

Source: Wikipedia, "Wii", available under the CC-BY-SA License.

Region Coding:
The Wii is region coded, and consoles will only play games released in the same region. These regions are:
NTSC:J - Japan, Asia
NTSC:U/C - North America
PAL - Europe, Oceania

WiiWare games are also region locked and an account can only access the Wii Shop Channel associated with the region for that account.

DVD playback is region coded, following standard DVD regions.
Playback of DVD/CD optical discs is not supported on the factory-issued Wii console. Third-party (Homebrew software) modifications are available that will enable DVD playback.

Compatibility:
The Wii will play all GameCube games from the same region. When doing so, it will function as a GameCube (no Wii feature support), and requires use of a GameCube controller. Online and Network functionality for GameCube games is not supported. GameBoy Advance connector cables can be connected to the controller ports like a GameCube, and can be used for GameCube games that support such connectivity.

Nintendo DS portables can connect via wireless to the Wii, and can be used as controllers for supported games.

Microbadges

Wii fan
Wii fan
Secure the strap around your wrist before playing Wii.
Make sure there is adequate room before swinging Wii remote

Supported Media
Nintendo Optical Media
Downloadable Content