How to Set up a Nintendo Wii

In the early 2000s, Nintendo had a firm grip on third place in the battle of the game consoles, behind Microsoft and Sony, which were increasing their market shares. In order to get competitive in the game market again, Nintendo took a big gamble and came up with a new concept in gaming that involves a new type of controller interface with games. The result, the Wii, has vaulted Nintendo into the number-one-selling game console in the world and placed it far ahead of the second-place Sony product. Due to the advanced features of the Wii, it is a little harder to set up than previous game systems but not much more.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open the box, and check for the components in the box. You should have at least one controller, a nunchuck, a wrist strap, a game console, a power cable, a sensor bar, a sensor bar stand, a game console stand and an audio/video cable. You should also have a copy of the "Wii Sports" game with your Wii.

2. Move your television set to gain access to the input options. You need an open input for RCA jacks.

3. Determine where you will set up the Wii console. You can stand the console vertically on its side, so the discs go in sideways, with the included stand, or you can set the console flat without the stand, so the discs go in flat. The console should be within 3 feet of the television in a place where you can access it easily to change games. Put the Wii console in place.

4. Plug the RCA jack cable into the appropriate inputs on your television. You plug the yellow jack into the yellow video plug on the television. Plug the red jack into the red/right audio plug and the white jack into the white/left audio plug. If you only have one available audio plug, use the white jack from the Wii.

5. Move the television back into its original position.

6. Plug the RCA cable into the back of the Wii. There is only one location and one way the RCA cable cable fits into the console.

7. Get out the sensor bar and stand, which is a small plastic base. The sensor bar is the long, thin bar with a long, thin wire. You can place the sensor bar at the bottom or top of the television, but the top tends to work best. Lay the sensor bar so the cord goes behind the television and the bar faces out. You don't have to use the sensor bar base unless you want to lift the bar off the television. It is important to make sure the sensor bar is at the front edge of the television and is perfectly parallel to the edge.

8. Plug the sensor bar wire into the back of the Wii console in the only hole it will fit.

9. Plug in the power supply cable to the back of the Wii console, and then plug the cord into the wall or power strip.

10. Turn the television onto the proper input channel and turn on the Wii. You will need to go through a brief set-up menu the first time you start the Wii. Simply point the Wii remote at the screen to move the hand to your selections, and then press the "A" button. Be sure you tell the console the proper location of the sensor bar.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have plenty of room to play the Wii in front of your television set. Several players may be swinging their arms around at the same time and may be moving around more if they really get into a game.
• Get the best picture possible when you set up your Wii by using component video inputs from companies like Mono Price.com and Beach Audio.
• Always wear the wrist strap just in case the controller slips out of your hand during an intense game. Documented cases exist of people throwing controllers into televisions.