Wii console manual reveals its secrets

by Kyle Orland { Nov 12th 2006 at 1:45PM }

Since all four of us can't play Zelda at the same time, we passed the Wii-less hours by poring over the 69 page "systems and settings" manual that came with the Wii (not to be confused with the 105-page, trilingual "system setup" manual that's also included). Here are some of the odd and/or interesting things we noticed:

"Up to 100 Miis can stay in your Mii Plaza." (pg. 11)
"The Photo Channel can display a maximum of approximately 1,000 photos. If your SD card has more than 1,000 photos, remove the card from the Wii console and remove or reorganize your photos in your camera, cell phone or computer." (pg. 15)
"You can not save or overwrite photos or videos on the SD card." (pg. 20)
"Any of the options in Fun! mode [doodles, etc. -Ed.] can be applied to individual frames of a video." (pg. 21)
The photo channel supports JPGs of up to 8192x8192 resolution and QuickTime files of up to 848x480. (pg. 22)
MP3 audio is listed under supported formats. After quite a bit of searching, we figured out how this feature works, but we didn't like what we found (more later.)
"NOTE: Your use of the Wii Shop Channel is subject to your acceptance of the Wii Users Agreement, the Wii Privacy Policy and the Wii Code of Conduct. Copies of the most updated versions of these agreements may be found at support.nintendo.com. [not yet - Ed.]" (pg. 24)
"NOTE: Some Virtual Console games can only be played with a Classic Controller. (sold separately) [this seems to contradict previous confirmation that Gamecube controllers would work on all Virtual Console games -Ed.]" (pg. 25)
"Software downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel is licensed to you, not sold" (pg. 25)
"NOTE: The calendar displays dates from January 2000 to December 2035." (pg. 31)
"NOTE: You will not be able to send photos from your Wii console to the PC/cell phone user." (pg. 36)
"NOTE: The Wii console uses a 24 hour clock. For example, 1:00 pm is displayed as 13:00 pm" (pg. 42)
The parental control features "does NOT control access to Nintendo GameCube games" (pg. 46)
"If you use the messaging features of the Wii console, you need to understand that Nintendo may monitor your use and share certain information (i) as required by law, (ii) where necessary to protect the company, its customers or its employees, (iii) as necessary to provide the services. [Big Brother is watching -Ed.]" (pg. 47)
"NOTE: The initial recommended distance for using the Wii Remote Pointer is 3 to 8 feet from the sensor bar ... Also note that the influence of direct sunlight and various light sources can make the Pointer operation less optimal. [Oh really... -Ed.]" (pg. 50)
By formatting the Wii Shop Channel from the Wii's system menu, you clear all "records of your transactions and rights to download software." (pg. 61)
"NOTE: You should format your Wii Shop Channel data first, then your Wii System Memory, prior to selling or otherwise transferring your Wii console to any third party." (pg. 61)
"NOTE: Adjusting the speaker and Rumble settings will affect all Wii remotes currently connected to the Wii console. [I hope everyone likes the same settings. -Ed.]" (pg. 63)

Tags: blogathon06, manual, wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Dracula Jones @ Nov 12th 2006 1:54PM

Some of these just don't make any god damned sense.

"By formatting the Wii Shop Channel from the Wii's system menu, you clear all "records of your transactions and rights to download software."

WTF? Sooo... you would have to buy everything over again?

prguitarman @ Nov 12th 2006 1:56PM

#1
That would royally suck.

And I'm interested in what you guys found out about media playback.

Optimus Prime @ Nov 12th 2006 1:57PM

"# MP3 audio is listed under supported formats. After quite a bit of searching, we figured out how this feature works, but we didn't like what we found (more later.)"

ExciteTruck has a 100 song limit from SD card.. is this the beef you guys are talking about.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/745/745360p1.html

D2E @ Nov 12th 2006 1:58PM

Cmon Nintendo What are you DOING?!

Mullinator @ Nov 12th 2006 1:59PM

#1

Nintendo would obviously keep a record of your transactions on their own servers, so if something happened by accident or the Wii had an internal problem then as long as you can prove to Nintendo that the particular Wii unit hasn't been simply sold to someone else they will probably just let you re-download everything you already purchased free of charge.

Uncle Pecos @ Nov 12th 2006 2:00PM

What's the big deal? Why would you format the Wii Shop Channel in the first place unless you were getting rid of the console?

And is the Editor Vlad?

Jake C @ Nov 12th 2006 2:01PM

"# "Software downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel is licensed to you, not sold" (pg. 25)"

Now THAT has the potential to be a real bitch...

Silver @ Nov 12th 2006 2:03PM

Viewing photos via SD card is worthless to me (and many others). For one, neither of my cameras use SD. Plus, I find the idea of viewing a small collection of photos from a memory card to be a hassle. Let me browse my iPhoto library wirelessly - now THAT I'd be interested in.

I hope to see some Wii + computer wireless cooperation down the road.

Mullinator @ Nov 12th 2006 2:03PM

Jake C, if I am not mistaken ALL games that you purchase, be they on CD, DVD, Blu-ray, on the PS3, on the 360, on the Wii, for the PC, are all simply "licensed" to you as well and not sold.

morgan and Bob and Cassie Mccool @ Nov 12th 2006 2:03PM

wow theres a lot of stuff in there i didnt like

im still getting a wii but damn

thats alot of badstuff

it can still play flash games online though right?

Myles @ Nov 12th 2006 2:06PM

So what happens if my little brother accidentally formats my Wii? And I lose all of my virtual console games?

Ouch.

Splinter @ Nov 12th 2006 2:07PM

LOL! 69! Sorry. Had 2 lol.

"Any of the options in Fun! mode"

Well if that doesnt scream kiddy then we should just change the name to Super Neato Fun Machine!!! :) :) :).

...Jan Medi... @ Nov 12th 2006 2:08PM

Only JPGs and QuickTime formats?
Well, at least videos will be at full resolution. Now if only my videos weren't all in different formats.
Some virtual console games can only be played by the classic controller?
I guess whatever game needs Z2, but I can't think of any. Or a select button, but that can be set to Z on the GCN I guess.

ConstyXIV @ Nov 12th 2006 2:09PM

@7:
Checking the manuals of quite a few games within arm's length, of varying platforms, that has been SOP for nearly eterinity.

Fernando @ Nov 12th 2006 2:09PM

Can I use a USB Storage drive, like a USB Flash Memory or a USB HardDrive? If not, could Nintendo release later the necesary firmware to do that?

bounchfx @ Nov 12th 2006 2:11PM

yeah some of this stuff is really fucking stupid. ugh. the license for games better last 80 years. and if formatted by accident or system breaks I want that shit back free.

with these being the case, the games should be MUCH cheaper than they are.. ugh.

Oro @ Nov 12th 2006 2:19PM

I hope I don't need to repeat it, but every piece of software you've ever used was licensed, not sold to you, so this isn't any surprise or any different than what we're used to.

The only thing that bothers me is the inability to set rumble and sensitivity options per controller. It might not be a big issue, but if it is it could get really annoying. Hopefully if it is a real annoyance, Nintendo can provide an update or something. Has it even been confirmed that Nintendo can provide firmware updates for the Wii?

I hate gaming nowadays. My NES and SNES never needed a software update >:(

I hope Joystiq follows through with its promise to post countless PS3 and Wii annoyances like they did with the 360. Getting attention to minor inconveniences is a great thing when the systems are updatable.

supadude5000 @ Nov 12th 2006 2:24PM

#10 - "it can still play flash games online though right?"

Holy conclusion jumping!
I've never heard this confirmed, only hoped. Though, since the PS3 had a hard time playing a Flash game, it seems like it may be near impossible for the Wii.

Wolfrider @ Nov 12th 2006 2:25PM

There has already been confirmation that proof of all purchases you make through the Wii will be held on Nintendo's servers. So, in the event of an accidental reformat or your Wii exploding you will be able to get your purchases back. This makes it actually a step up from other download services like iTunes.

And I wish, not to sound impolite, that people would realize this about software. NONE of the software you have do you "own". All of it, from Windows XP to your copy of Half-Life is licensed to you not "sold". It's been that way for some time.

supadude5000 @ Nov 12th 2006 2:26PM

Also, could someone answer me this. If your Xbox 360 hard drive gets formatted or corrupted, what happens to the Live Arcade games you've purchased?

Pedro Van Faulk @ Nov 12th 2006 2:31PM

Judd @ Nov 12th 2006 2:31PM

"NOTE: Some Virtual Console games can only be played with a Classic Controller. (sold separately)"
This is ridiculous. My brother just got another Wavebird because we read that it will work on all VC games. I would've preferred to not think that the GC controller would work at all; instead of being told that it does work, and then it doesn't. I was wondering why they made that possible in the first place, so many Gamecube owners will play VC games. Now they can get $20 more from us.

"NOTE: The Wii console uses a 24 hour clock. For example, 1:00 pm is displayed as 13:00 pm" (pg. 42)
What kind of clock doesn't give you the option of AM/PM or army time? This might seem like a little thing, but I would rather not wasted the three seconds to figure out what it meant when I played Zelda from 15:23-19:58.

"NOTE: The initial recommended distance for using the Wii Remote Pointer is 3 to 8 feet from the sensor bar"
That is so close! What do they want us to ruin our eyes? Especially since many Wii gaming sessions will be played standing up, this should be at least 20 feet.

Snap @ Nov 12th 2006 2:32PM

"Also, could someone answer me this. If your Xbox 360 hard drive gets formatted or corrupted, what happens to the Live Arcade games you've purchased?"

Other than having to redownload them again for FREE, nothing. Purchases from XBL Marketplace are tied to your gamertag, not console.

Nintendo screwed this up big time.

Teejay @ Nov 12th 2006 2:35PM

Mullinator thats true, kinda like buying software from adobe.. you get a copy and license..

Mullinator @ Nov 12th 2006 2:35PM

@Snap, Nintendo already confirmed that you will be able to redownload things you already purchased free of charge if something happens to cause them to no longer be usable on your console for whatever reason.

NeoSkye @ Nov 12th 2006 2:36PM

About the controller thing. The way I understood it was that they are saying you won't be able to play all of your VC games with a Wii Mote, so you will have to get other equipment(so they suggest a Classic Controller, but it could be a Gamecube one)

Freakhead @ Nov 12th 2006 2:38PM

Here's some cheese for you all.

The blurb about needing the classic controller only means you can't use the wiimote for all virtual console games. It doesn't mean you can't use the Gamecube controller.

Eric Von Shpeel @ Nov 12th 2006 2:40PM

wow i do not like that spying on your messages thing.. i dont want Nintendo seeing what im saying to my friends/family

Mike @ Nov 12th 2006 2:41PM

Man, stop whining! I dont honestly dont care about the clock. No AM/PM funtion, look at your watch, cell phone or VCR. Also, is it possible that they ment that the classic controller would be needed for some VC games, that wiimote couldnt be used. It makes no sense that some of the games could use the GCN controller and not others.

Also, at least a year ago nintnedo said that the wii would be playable over computor screens, any word on that.
About the music playback, is is possible that the channel hasnt been released yet? There seemed to be alot more empty spots, in the opening screen...

Rayonic @ Nov 12th 2006 2:43PM

If you delete your iTunes songs off of your computer, they're gone forever. Apple doesn't let you re-download them.

So it's plausible that Nintendo has the same policy.

nambit @ Nov 12th 2006 2:44PM

Some Idiots who jump to conclusions out there!

As person#25 mentioned, you *DO NOT* have to pay to re-download your VC games in case you lose them. Nintendo has said this time and time again.

Why oh why do you guys jump to so many conclusions in the first place? Dammit I hate this place sometimes.

Carl @ Nov 12th 2006 2:59PM

I'm predicting the world will end in December 2035.

siro @ Nov 12th 2006 3:04PM

ROFL, who needs to check a am/pm clock to convert 24h to 12h times? 24h times lately seem to become hip in Japan, maybe that's why they implemented it that way. Still don't see why they don't give the option to change it.

fredrik dunder @ Nov 12th 2006 3:10PM

@ siro

because 'am/pm' is ancient and stupid

Andrew Yoon @ Nov 12th 2006 3:13PM

Rayonic, you're incorrect about the iTunes policy. You can re-download your music if you lose it... but just once. And you have to ask.

Miz @ Nov 12th 2006 3:15PM

Why is everyone so worried about accidentally formatting their Wii, anyway? You have to enter a PIN number to access important settings like that. There's no way you're going to accidentally hit "YES, PLEASE FORMAT" if a number pad prompt pops up first, and there's no way your bratty brother will be able to do it if he doesn't know the PIN.

vidGuy @ Nov 12th 2006 3:16PM

For anybody interested in expanding Wii memory, Best Buy has a deal going on until Saturday Nov 18 for a SanDisk 512MB SD card for $9.99 ($19.99 with a $10.00 mail in rebate). Great deal.

BONK @ Nov 12th 2006 3:19PM

What about some scans of the manual?!

Ectospheno @ Nov 12th 2006 3:25PM

Nintendo has web pages up at nintendo.com for all of the virtual console games. Each page not only tells you how many Wii Points they cost but also which controllers work for that game. And some of them do only list the classic controller.

Dan Dickinson @ Nov 12th 2006 3:34PM

"There has already been confirmation that proof of all purchases you make through the Wii will be held on Nintendo's servers. So, in the event of an accidental reformat or your Wii exploding you will be able to get your purchases back. This makes it actually a step up from other download services like iTunes."

Because all iTunes purchases aren't tied to an account, and Apple doesn't keep any records of what you purchase?

Matt Ramos @ Nov 12th 2006 3:37PM

There isn't anything that bad in there. I don't like the sensitivity options, but hopefully they'll get fixed eventually.

On another note about the classic controller and gamecube controller. I heard from somewhere that the gamecube controller will work on all VC games, along with the classic controller, but the classic controller WON'T work on all gamecube games. Is that true? If so, what's the point of the classic controller?

stewacide @ Nov 12th 2006 3:42PM

The classic controller for for some VC games is easy to answer: some game may require BOTH all the buttons on the classic controller, AND the motion senseing of the remote (which snaps into the classic con). Makes it the equivalent of the PS3 contrller essentially.

I would be surprised if something like Smash Bros. doesn't support the motion sensing on the classic controller add-on, even if it still falls-back for GameCube controllers.

mykie @ Nov 12th 2006 3:58PM

@39 Ectospheno

Link pls?

ALH @ Nov 12th 2006 4:04PM

'NOTE: The initial recommended distance for using the Wii Remote Pointer is 3 to 8 feet from the sensor bar'

Rofl. I have ABOUT three feet between me and the TV where im sitting now.yey for cramped up crappy student accom. Any further back and im standing on my bed. oh joy. Sounds like im going to have to rearrange my room a bit whenever i want to play with the pointer :|

Murasaki no Ryuu @ Nov 12th 2006 4:04PM

#12

Lol 2 http://www.retrothinking.com/?page=headline

Matt Rix @ Nov 12th 2006 4:09PM

"Has it even been confirmed that Nintendo can provide firmware updates for the Wii? I hate gaming nowadays. My NES and SNES never needed a software update >:("

Your SNES and NES were never anywhere NEAR this complicated... And yes, Nintendo can provide firmware updates for the Wii... In fact, when you get your Wii and connect it to the net, the first thing it will want to do is download a firmware update.

Mr Snuffle @ Nov 12th 2006 4:09PM

@7 - '7. "# "Software downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel is licensed to you, not sold" (pg. 25)"

Now THAT has the potential to be a real bitch...'

Not really, that's how all games/movies/music work. You never own the product, you own a license to use it.

Matt Rix @ Nov 12th 2006 4:11PM

"That is so close! What do they want us to ruin our eyes? Especially since many Wii gaming sessions will be played standing up, this should be at least 20 feet."

Um, do you realize how far 20 feet from your TV is? The only time you're ever going to be 20 feet from your TV is if you use a projector... 3-8 feet is COMPLETELY resaonable.

Riemann Lebesgue @ Nov 12th 2006 4:18PM

Dan,

People have had mixed luck with getting their tunes back after a major mess-up and failure. It seems to depend on the Apple rep you get.

ALH,

Distance hasn't been a huge issue with the Wiimote. You probably won't have that much trouble with it. There have been issues with certain kind of lights, but the overwhelming majority of people won't have a problem.