It’s been a week since Nintendo revealed the name of its latest console. If you’ve been living under a rock (I know I have, I only found out about the name in the last couple of days – thanks Stephen), Nintendo has revealed that its latest console the Revolution will now be officially named, wait for it – Wii.

I know what you’re thinking. I’m a big Nintendo fan and I’m still trying to come to terms with it. When I first saw it I didn’t know what to say either. “How the fuck do I pronounce this? WY? WY-FI?”. Nope my friends, it’s pronounced “We”.

I know what you’re thinking. It was the first thing that came to my mind as well.

Wee-wee.

ROFL! Now that that’s out of our system lets take a step back here. Why Nintendo why? Why make a name that sounds like something that comes out of your urethra? If you wanted a random name you could’ve had something like, “playbox”, “fun-machine”, “heebeejeebee”, or even “GameCube 2”. But Wii?

But like every good company that believes in its name, here’s the philosophy behind its name that I’ll recap for you:

* Wii is about “we” – not just gamers, but everyone. Nintendo’s new market is EVERYONE playing games. Even your grandmother (seriously)
* The double i’s represent people playing together
* The double i’s also represent the console’s unique remote-controller gizmo thing
* There’s something to do with Kanji that I can’t quite put my finger on, you can read more about it here
* The sound “We” permeates through many languages such as Oui Oui in French, which again enforces Nindendo’s idea of gaming pushing through borders (in this case international borders and language)

That’s it basically. There’s heaps more info here on the official site if you want to know more. Anyway games news portals exploded across the net ever since the “Wii” name came about – and most of it is hate.

Now I don’t know about you but I might actually be embarrassed to say its name in public. It’s ok among other gamers and l337 people, but to girls?

Johnny: Hey, watch where you’re going! I was gonna fall for you…
Cute-girl-with-mad-lips: Aww kekeke. Don’t worry I would’ve saved you *wink wink*
Johnny: Noyce! So what’s a girl like you doing here? Besides checking me out of course *wink*
Cute-girl-with-mad-lips: *winks* Oh you know shopping, hanging out with friends. I’m waiting for a friend. Ah, there she is!
Another-cute-girl: Hey lets go.
Cute-girl-with-mad-lips: Aight. Hey, do you wanna come to a party?
Johnny: Really? Noyce! Sure! After I drop this thing off at home
Cute-girl-with-mad-lips: Haha ok, what is it?
Johnny: Um, it’s… uh… a Nintendo… uh…. Wii.
Cute-girl-with-mad-lips: …Err ok. Oh you know what? Forget about the party *hurries off*

Hmm, imagine the Scotts though!

Woman-with-scottish-accent: When I was a Wii lass….

Anyway some people have been writing that the name is genius and that the Marketing department will soon be kings of the world for coming up with such a “unique” and “meaningful” name. Graphically, the logo/brand looks very hot. But the way it sounds? Hmm. It’ll take some time getting used to. Though I’m sure the confusion in pronouncing its name will have some affect in its marketing strength. Anything that confuses people, no matter how small, will have some kind of negative influence.

Very simple, clean and swanky. I like it.

But, and this is a big but, weird names DO have a history of being stuck in the back of people’s minds. Everyone knows annoying songs have the power of being countlessly replayed in the head (something called “Annoyance Theory” or something). And What about weird names that have graced successful products and services? Like Google and Yahoo? That maybe what Nintendo is aiming for with this name. To throw at people a name that will have everyone talking, which in turn will help make the spotlight on the console much brighter.

And like the saying goes, “Any publicity is good publicity”

(I think that’s how it goes)