The Nintendo Wii sure doesn’t look like a computer. The tiny console, which launched with much fanfare alongside the massive and massively unsuccessful PlayStation 3, features motion-sensitive gameplay – and little else. Despite the console’s missing media features – what do you expect for $250 – it does include a web browser, and may soon supplement the experience with a Wii Keyboard, or what we’re affectionately calling, “Wiiboard”.
Although cutting through the air with the Wiimote is met by on-screen Wii Sports tennis backhands and home run slices, the device is incapable of many other, comparably standard functions, like high resolution visuals or even DVD playback. Although these shortcomings have led some consumers to opt for Sony or Microsoft next-gen consoles, the Wii’s Opera browser has been an attractive, PC-like draw to some gamers.
Opera was recently upgraded on the Wii, boasting a more capable search engine and click-‘n-drag functions. However, complaints persist, with many owners frustrated at the controls. One key suggestion? A USB keyboard.
Word that this might just be on the way comes from Joystiq via Wii Fanboy via Game Informer (phew!). The latter’s May 2007 issue states:
“Nintendo’s development team says that it is considering adding a keyboard peripheral to the system in order to make online surfing easier.”
Most Nintendo users agree that using the Opera browser is anything but handy, and yet Nintendo appears devoted to making that experience a positive one. It’s strange sentiment from a company that appeared determined to make the Wii the anti-Xbox 360, anti-PS3, anti-PC.
