The name is ridiculous. It is smart to pick a short name with a unique spelling that can be pronounced in many countries. It's also smart to pick something that isn't trying to be super cool and edgy like the "Xbox 360." Your mother or girlfriend doesn't want something called an Xbox 360, but that's okay because they won't find any games they like on an Xbox 360 anyway (beside xarcade, that is). They might be less intimidated by the "Wii" and will definitely find Nintendo games and non-games that sound more interesting than "Madden 2007" and "GTA 2008".
Even though Wii meets many of the criteria Nintendo should be going for, it fails at the criteria "don't pick a silly, awful-sounding name." Luckily, Nintendo's disruptive business strategy and high quality games will be more than enough to make up for a crazy name. I think Nintendo will do just fine this next round, and I'm very interested in supporting them as a game developer.
Last note: if only it were called the GameSphere, and had been designed as a totally impractical spherical console that would roll right off your entertainment center. I would have liked that a Wii bit more than Wii.
- David Sirlin, designer, Backbone Entertainment.
