I think the introduction of the Wii was the most revolutionary change to the whole idea of console gaming that I've ever seen. In the past, gamers picked up consoles and bought the games and play went on as it has, from platform to platform, going back to someone's first Pong game.

The Wii is a different animal. Families are playing the Wii - not just the gamer subset. My parents are both 74. They are not traditional gamers. Sure, they've played cards and whatnot, but they're not computer gamers. They're not computer users at all. My dad does a little computer - but it's work, not recreation. These are not people that would have dreamed of spending their free time either on a computer or playing a game hooked up to a TV. My parents bought a Wii! (My mother told me about their shopping trip. She told my dad she wanted to buy the Wii. He told her she didn't have to buy it for him. She told him, "I'm not buying it for you. I'm buying it for me!")

When I first got my Wii, I had to bribe my mother to bowl with me by doing an exercise tape with her. Both of us considered this an onorous chore and were willing to make the sacrafice for the good of the other. My parents both discovered they love bowling on the Wii. They were league bowlers for many, many, many years (and have a shelf full of trohpies to show their dedication). Physically, going to the bowling alley hasn't been a good idea for my mom the last several years. She has back issues and doesn't need to aggravate them with bowling. With the Wii, she can bowl again. She's even been trying baseball and tennis.

I took the Wii when I went camping with family. I have a cousin (in his 60s) that has a motor skill disability with his left arm/hand. This has kept him from participating in a lot of activities he might have enjoyed. Along with keeping him from regular sports, he can't play games with controllers or keypads that require the use of his left hand. He was able to bowl with the Wii. He loved it! I wouldn't be surprised if Santa brought his family a Wii for Christmas this year.

How many console games have you seen where the entire family can have fun together? (yeah, hear those chirping crickets)

Yes, the Wii can certainly be a one person game where you play the traditional titles with a somewhat different interface, but the real genius is the ability to bring a family together in play.

Huzzah to the Wii! Viva la revolucion!