'Wii' before Wii

by Ross Miller { Aug 13th 2008 at 10:40PM }

It's been well over two years since Nintendo unveiled its "revolutionary" console name (2 years, 3 months and 17 days to be precise). But, much like truthiness, it'd be silly to think it had been the first time the term had been used. Just ask Wii Yatani, a 26-year old New Yorker who experienced all the oh-so clever urine puns decades before the House of Mario. MTV's Stephen Totilo has a profile on Yatani and how the waggle-inducing name has changed his name's perspective.

Additionally, according to Totilo, there were over 1900 pre-Nintendo Wii references in the newspaper and magazine database Nexis. From a Singaporean record-setting stair climber to a Papa New Guinea lieutenant, Wii has traveled the globe. And although Nintendo hasn't attributed an exact definition, Yatani's Wii is derived from two Kanji characters meaning "universe" and "willpower."

Tags: name, revolution, wii, wii-yatani

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Fernando Rocker @ Aug 13th 2008 10:45PM

I wish my name was Mario Ferntendo.

Wiinterfang @ Aug 13th 2008 10:59PM

More like Mario Failnando.

Kamizar @ Aug 13th 2008 10:50PM

Universal willpower or Name that happens to be synonymous with inappropriate things...

Cody @ Aug 13th 2008 11:19PM

Cuz needs to iron his shirt.

Wiinterfang @ Aug 13th 2008 11:22PM

LOL

theturtle363 @ Aug 13th 2008 11:24PM

hehe, penis

Ciatrick Leodis McKelvin @ Aug 13th 2008 11:27PM

The only sense the name makes is when said in the commercials "Wii would like to play". Even though that should be "We".

Highcharity @ Aug 13th 2008 11:40PM

Yeah and more like wienerfang. Stop bashing him damn you got a problem with him just don't say anything to him and stop being an ass.

Gavin @ Aug 13th 2008 11:41PM

His middle name is Shityportfest.

eldee @ Aug 14th 2008 12:34AM

I was thinking Lamepseudogame but yours rolls off the tongue so much more eloquently.

lifeinthefridge @ Aug 14th 2008 12:31AM

Man reading the linked "revolutionary" console name within the article was hilarious.

People 2 years ago really thought Nintendo was committing suicide with the name change to wii.Now there winning in overall console sales....with few games for hardcore gamers....

ill trooper @ Aug 14th 2008 2:11AM

Hey, that photo was taken right in my neighborhood! It's the playground on Mulberry and Spring here in NYC...

Microswirl (MKWii:1676- 4270-3674) @ Aug 14th 2008 2:37AM

Pffftt that guy is just two middle-aged Japanese people duct taped together.

Curmeo 2.0 @ Aug 14th 2008 5:16AM

Wii is the wierdest name for a video game system ever. they should have stuck with Nintendo Revolution, all the core gamers loved that name. but i guess soccermoms find Wii more cute.

Chase @ Aug 14th 2008 7:12AM

Now if only Wii were holding a Wiimote and his, personal, Wiimote. Then the triple-threat would be complete.

Andrew Hutchison @ Aug 14th 2008 2:20PM

kinda ironic hes selling himself out...just like the wii. zing!

deCaff @ Aug 14th 2008 4:06PM

It's been well over two years since Nintendo unveiled its "revolutionary" console name (2 years, 3 months and 17 days to be precise

WOW ....Time goes so fast.

As I was reading these it jusc clicked a memory of that day,and those times.
I remembered old friends ,high school and how things used to be.

Its amazing how a videogame reference like these could trigger something like that.Now I feel sad and old"Nostalgic".