Black Wii Released in Japan In August May Be Coming to North America

Nintendo released a limited edition Black Wii in Japan on August 1, 2009, and rumors are circulating that the game console may get an aesthetic upgrade in North America as well.

New hardware, console upgrades, and special editions made specifically to celebrate the release of highly-anticipated titles like Modern Warfare 2 and Halo 3 have been a hallmark of both Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PS3, while Nintendo has made no changes to the Wii since its release. However, it now appears that Nintendo may be providing a new, aesthetically pleasing update of the Wii to store shelves around the world.

Because of the nature of the Wii, which has focused largely on casual gaming instead of HD and online gaming, Nintendo hasn’t been pushed to bring various versions of the console to consumers. It hasn’t required hard drive increases or online service updates, but, the tantalizing Black Wii is piquing the interest of many gamers around the world since it’s Japan release was revealed.

The Black Wii may draw some interest from gamers who have been exclusive to the PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles thanks to its sleek design that seems to suggest that the Wii can be for the hardcore gaming set, as well. When the Wii was first launched, Nintendo revealed several possible color options for the console including white, black, silver, red and lime green. However, when the console was released in 2006, there was only one color option: white. It has remained that way since then, but the Black Wii released by Nintendo may finally hint at a beginning to offering other console color options for gamers.

Nintendo has announced that they will be releasing a black Wiimote and Motionplus bundle here in the states in time for the Holidays, but its upcoming release is only fueling further speculation about a possible black console as well.