The Wii continues to gather praise and accolade as we move ever closer to launch day. First Time Magazine's Gadget of the Year Poll, and now Popular Science, who have given the Wii a Grand Award in their Best of What's New 2006 feature. The article gives kudos to Nintendo for choosing innovation over horsepower.

Nintendo's processor is 75 percent slower than an Xbox 360's. The company decided that gamers didn't need to pay extra for photo-realistic renderings of its iconic talking mushrooms. Instead it reimagined the controller, introducing a three-axis accelerometer that transforms your hand motions into in-game action, so you really play the games.

The Wii beat out various televisions, sound systems, and ironically enough, a Blu-ray player. A taste of things to come? Michael Fahey

Popular Science honours Wii [GameSpot]

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