When a player turns on the Wii for the first time, a soft blue glow will light up the room and the WiiMenu will appear on-screen. You're probably familiar with the TV Guide Channel used when you want to see a list of what's currently on television. It's the exact same idea. Think of it as a homepage for what's available on Wii. From this WiiMenu, you have access to a variety of Channels. These include things from the mundane News Channel that gives you an interactive news experience to the necessary Disc Channel that allows you to play Wii games. Below is a list and description of some of the planned Wii Channels.
Disc Channel
Cost: Disc Channel is free besides obvious cost of games.
Description: This channel allows users to play either Wii game discs or Nintendo GameCube discs. Once the GameCube or Wii disc is inserted, simply click the Disc Channel to begin playing.
Videos: 1 | 2 | 3Mii Channel
Cost: Mii Channel is free to all users.
Description: Fun caricatured portraits created in this channel can be used as characters across a variety of Wii software. Portraits can be stored in a user's Wii Remote and taken to a friend's house to play on another Wii console. Each member of the family can have his or her Wii Remote personalized with a caricature.
Videos: 1 | 2 | 3Photo Channel
Cost: Photo Channel is free to all users.
Description: This channel allows users to take digital pictures stored on an SD memory card and display them on their television screens. Users also can manipulate the photos in a variety of fun and creative ways, such as zooming or creating mosaics, puzzles or slide shows. They can draw, add stamps, and copy and paste. They also can change the "mood" of photos by brightening them, converting them to monochrome, inverting the color or changing them to stark black and white. Users can even add an MP3 tune to their slide shows. It provides a fun and easy outlet for people to edit their digital pictures. Users also can send their pictures to other Wii consoles by attaching a photo to the Wii Message Board.
Videos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5Forecast Channel
Cost: Forecast Channel is free to all users.
Description: Users who have connected their Wii console to the Internet can access free local weather forecasts just a few seconds after turning on the Wii console. The WiiConnect24 service automatically updates local weather information. Users can view forecasts for cities around the world on a 3-D globe.
Videos: 1 | 2News Channel
Cost: News Channel is free to all users.
Description: Users can access breaking news with the touch of a button. When connected to the Internet, the WiiConnect24 service automatically updates this free channel and organizes it in a variety of topical categories. Users can see where news is happening by viewing the location of news stories on a 3-D globe.
Videos: 1Wii Shop Channel
Cost: Cost varies for each item.
Description: This is where users go to buy Wii Points or redeem them to download classic video games to the Virtual Console. Nintendo said that over 30 Nintendo games and 30 PC TurboGrafx/Genesis games will be available before the end of the year. Ten new Virtual Console games will follow every month. Users also can use points to download the Opera browser used in the Internet Channel.Internet Channel
Cost: Initial one-time charge for Opera browser.
Description: This channel dramatically changes the relationship between a user's home, the television and the Internet. Users download the Opera browser with Wii Points. Then they can surf the Internet right from the comfort of their couch. They can do quick research while watching a television program ("What was that actor's name again?"). Or book travel plans and shop during commercials. The service is compatible with Macromedia Flash.
Videos: 1 | 2 | 3Wii Message Board
Cost: Message Board Channel is free to all users.
Description: Forget hand-scrawled notes tacked to the refrigerator door. Users can leave messages for other family members on a calendar-based message board. They also can use WiiConnect24 to send messages to people outside the home as well. Even better, people can trade photos and text messages with cell phone users. The service also allows for incoming messages targeted at software, such as a new map or weapon for a game. Games can constantly be updated, thereby extending their playability.
Videos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4And Much More...
IGN reports that a total of 48 channels can be stored on the Wii at one time. Channels will also exist for games downloaded from the Virtual Console, though it's not yet clear how they will be setup. Shortcuts can be made to certain games, and players will be able to organize items, for example, to view only Nintendo 64 games or Zelda games. More details soon.