Wii
Background
The Wii, teased under the name of "Revolution" (or in some sources as "Nintendo Revolution") prior to release, was a video game console from Nintendo released on November 19, 2006 in North America, December 2 in Japan, December 7 in Australia, and December 8 in Europe. Known for its unique Wii Remote controller that allows for motion control, it is the 5th best selling home console of all time, after the PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 2. It was discontinued in October 2013, having been succeeded by the Wii U in late 2012.
1st Logo (April 27, 2006-2012)
Logo: We see the Nintendo logo on a white background. It pans upward to reveal a Wii Remote floating. After some time, it spins quickly to reveal a 3D "i" from the Wii logo. We pan to the "i". The "i" bounces back and shoots gray balls. The "i" then dodges them just to shoot more gray balls. It then jumps and curls up into a ball. We quickly zoom into the ball to reveal 4 "i"s playing ball. One of the "i"s shoot the ball to reveal a closeup of the "i" which immediately bounces back. It looks to the other side and calls for another "i". It cuts to the same "i", with another "i" bouncing sideways. The first "i" bounces sideways for a little while, until merging. Then two more "i"s bounce sideways and merge into the "i", eventually forming a "W" with the dot intact. The dot then bounces to form an "i". Another dot comes out of it and bounces to form another "i", forming a 3D Wii logo. The "i"s then take a bow. The 3D logo quickly turns 2D. The Wii logo finally fades out.
Variant: A short version exists on commercials, where it's just the "i"s taking a bow, which is shortened. The Wii logo does not turn 2D and the Nintendo logo at the time fades in below the Wii logo in this variant.
Technique: Too much to describe, but simply until the switch to 2D, it's nice CGI animation for the mid to late 2000s. The switch to 2D is simple animation.
Music/Sounds: A bit complicated, but here it goes:
- A robotic whoosh is heard when we pan to the Wii Remote. It is then followed by an ominous chime. Quick whooshing is heard when the Wii Remote spins quickly. Another quick whoosh when we pan to the "i". A strange sound when the "i" bounces back and all its tilting. Shooting sounds are heard when the "i" shoots gray balls. A strange sound is heard when the "i" dodges the balls. A strange whoosh sound is heard when the "i" jumps and curls up into a ball. Another strange sound is heard when 4 "i"s play ball. Another strange whoosh sound is heard when the "i" looks to the other side. A weird low-pitched very quick beep which repeats 3 times is heard when the "i"s bounce sideways and another strange sound when the "i"s merge. Another ominous chime is heard when the "i" is about to form a "W". Yet another strange whoosh sound is heard when the "i" forms a "W" that continues to the 1st dot bouncing and forming an "i" and the 2nd dot coming out of it and forming another "i". Then the two "i"s take a bow and an echoey thunderclap-like sound is heard when the 3D logo quickly turns 2D.
Music/Sounds Variant: On North American commercials from 2006 to 2012, it's just the "i"s taking a bow.
Availability: Common. Seen on all North American commercials from 2006 to 2012. The full version came from the first ever North American Wii commercial as well as the first two North American trailers for the console when the final version of the console was revealed at Nintendo's E3 2006 conference at the Kodak Theatre (currently known as the Dolby Theatre) at Hollywood and Highland in Los Angeles on May 9, 2006.
2nd Logo (2006-2013 [Commercials], April 10, 2008 [In-Game])
Note: While this logo was used in international commercials, it did make an in-game appearance on Mario Kart Wii.
Logo: On a white background, the grey text "Wii" with a trademark to its bottom right quickly fades in. A large blue ring and many smaller grey rings pulse out from behind it. The rings fade out, and the Wii logo fades onto a Wii Wheel, transitioning to the opening of the game.
Variant: On Wii commercials and trailers from 2010 onwards, it skips the fade to the Wii Wheel.
Technique: 2D animation.
Music/Sounds: Same as the DS commercial logo.
Availability: Uncommon. While used in international Wii commercials and trailers, its only in-game appearance was on Mario Kart Wii.
3rd Logo (2011-2012)
Logo: On a blue background, we see a white Wii Remote Plus swinging to the right and later forming the second "i" in the Wii logo. After that, the two "i"s take a bow similar to the 1st logo.
Technique: CGI animation.
Music/Sounds: Same as the 1st logo but with the Wii Remote Plus making a whoosh at the beginning.
Availability: Seen on North American Wii commercials from that period.
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