Nintendo Wii (JP version)

Taking a slight departure from their 'games-only' stance, Nintendo have incorporated some interactive features into the Wii's interface. When you power on your Wii you're greeted with a menu screen that has several options, some of these are what Nintendo are calling channels.

Channels that have been announced include news, weather forecasts, Internet browsing (using a specially built version of Opera), photo editing and caricature creation software called Mii. All of this is controlled intuitively using the Wiimote. Internet browsing on the Wii will be free of charge, however you will have to buy the browser initially using your Wii card points.

The Wii will not support DVD movie playback. This was done to keep costs down as Nintendo felt that most people already have a DVD player, a fair point indeed. Wii games and content will support the 16:9 aspect ratio used by HDTVs, but won't be in high definition.