Well, it’s finally here. What some have criticized as Nintendo’s biggest mistake, and others have lauded as the second coming of gaming, is sitting right over next to my TV. So, two weeks since launch, how does the little white box stack up? It’s good so far…really good. A lot of it has to do with the games, but the hardware is no slouch either. And yes, there are a number of dings that accompany any launch.

The Wii console itself is without a doubt Nintendo’s sexiest machine, period. Not even the DS Lite can top the sheer slickness of the Wii, the utter simplicity that graces every corner of its glossy frame. I know there will always be hardcore stalwarts who prefer the NES, SNES, N64, or maybe even Virtual Boy for that matter, but the fact is the Wii is the first game console that looks good anywhere in a living room.

The controller shares the aesthetic perfectly. Its simple, remote shape is familiar, inviting even. It’s a far cry from the intimidating, three-pronged N64 “claw” or the potentially-fatal-if-swung classic Xbox pad. Side by side with other next-gen controllers, it has the least possibility of scaring non-gamers. And it feels great in the hand, which is the only thing that matters anyway. The weight is just substantial enough, the wrist strap is never very obtrusive (and can be removed), and the subdued yet apparent rumble won’t make the remote leap out of your hand. Even with the Nunchuck plugged in, the Wii’s interface looks stylish, maybe because the gadgets aren’t clumped together in one chunk of plastic. The Nunchuck does feel a bit light at first, but after a while you really forget it’s in your hand.

My one complaint: the speaker in the Wii-mote. It’s crackly. It’s annoying at times. I currently have it turned off. A feature that is intended to heighten immersion actually muddies the experience. Yes, it’s novel the first few times, when you hear Link cap a bottle or a gun reload in Red Steel, in your hand, but the poor quality gets irritating quickly. For the life of me, I can’t understand it either. Nintendo has been putting small, quality speakers in their handhelds for years. The DS speakers are, for a portable, crystal clear and make for a decent stereo setup on the go. Why couldn’t Nintendo slap one of the little gems into the Wii-mote? I seriously doubt size is an issue. I really hope they raise the speaker performance in future Wii-mote models, because there is a great deal of immersion potential, if they’d only get it right.

Now, on to the main event: software. There are probably hardcore gamers reading this, so let me put your fears to rest—Zelda Twilight Princess is, by and large, amazing. I’ve sunk 30+ hours into it already, and I just can’t stop, which is a great sign. It isn’t a paradigm shift the way Ocarina of Time was, but it doesn’t need to be; Twilight Princess showcases that the Wii can handle deep, traditional games with its unorthodox controls, and do it with style too. The Wii remote is the superior way to play Zelda, and I honestly can’t imagine going back to strict buttons and analog.

As for the game itself, be prepared for the same, good old Zelda, mostly. You get a few surprises here an...