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Nintendo just announced the official name of their next generation console, hitherto code-named Revolution, now formally known as Wii. As in "we." Or, better said, "weeeeee!"

It's clearly distinctive, further evidence that Nintendo marches to no drummer but its own, refusing to be drawn into the PlayStation/Xbox branding shenanigans that use numeric suffixes to describe vintage. Just Wii. And here's the thinking behind it: Wii sounds like "we," which Nintendo asserts as having a natural inference of a console for everyone, and that Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.

Nintendo further suggests that Wii's distinctive "ii" spelling symbolizes both the unique controllers of the system and the image of people gathering to play.

Localizing it a bit, it also sounds like "yes" in French, though Nintendo hasn't mentioned that coincidence as intentional nor, for that matter, that if you put two together you have all the mischievousness of schoolboys playing with their WiiWiis.

Still, catchy name. Way clever, thoroughly original and maybe even long-lasting. Of course, that will depend on the actual console's staying power, regardless of name. Wii is expected to ship in time for the holiday shopping frenzy of 2006, when the Wii revolution truly begins.

Here is the official skinny:

• The Cool Look: The new console boasts high-quality materials and a smart, compact design, approximately the size of three standard DVD cases stacked together. A variety of prototype colors are being showcased during E3. It will come with a silver stand that makes the system a welcome, artistic component of any multimedia setup, whether it's displayed vertically or horizontally.



• Backward Compatibility: The new console plays all games from the current Nintendo GameCube™ generation.



• The Secret Weapon: The console also will have downloadable access to 20 years of fan-favorite titles originally released for Nintendo® 64, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System® (SNES) and even the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).



• Easy Expansion: A bay for an SD memory card will let players expand the internal flash memory.



• Two Disc Formats, One Slot:Instead of a tray, a single, innovative, self-loading media bay will play both 12-centimeter optical discs used for the new system as well as Nintendo GameCube discs. Owners will have the option of equipping a small, self-contained attachment to play movies and other DVD content.



• The Specs: The system boasts 512 megabytes of internal flash memory, wireless controllers, two USB 2.0 ports and built-in Wi-Fi access. A worldwide network of Nintendo players can gather to compete in a comfortable, inviting environment. Wii's technological heart, a processing chip developed with IBM and code-named "Broadway," and a graphics chip set from ATI code-named "Hollywood," will deliver game experiences not previously possible.



• The Stars: Introduction of a number of new franchise properties will add to the world's richest stable of stars, including Mario, Zelda, Super Smash Bros., Donkey Kong and Metroid.



• Wireless Freedom: A number of Wi-Fi-enabled launch titles are in development that will employ Nintendo's newly announced wireless gaming service, Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection. A worldwide network of Nintendo players can gather to compete in a comfortable, inviting environment.



• Freedom of Design: A dynamic development architecture equally accommodates both big-budget, high-profile game "masterpieces" as well as indie games conceived by individual developers equipped with only a big idea.