Today marks a special, some might say, infamous date in gaming history. Despite what you might have read elsewhere, today's most interesting videogame related anniversary is the official unveiling of the name "Wii."

Known as the Nintendo Revolution until April 27, 2006, the folks at Nintendo decided to release the controversial name for their Gamecube successor just prior to E3. Obviously, they wanted the name to sink in, to not downplay or interfere with other Wii announcements made at their keynote.

Needless to say, reaction was mixed. A good number of readers, past and then-future Kotaku editors had plenty to say about the wee name for the tiny device.

Some of the more choice quotable reactions are below.

Kyle Orland, Joystiq contributor and former Video Game Media Watcher kicked off the comments tersely with, "No."

Cheap Ass Gamer's CheapyD hit us with his punnery with "WIIEAK!"

Dishliquid, who we hope is feeling peppier, described his feelings, "I feel so deflated now. Why not just call it the Nintendo Gaa."

The Lamonster also took it quite personally, writing "I'm embarrassed."

Protector one, clearly in denial, wrote "Wasn't April fools like weeks ago? Common guys, buy a calendar."

Reader BaronBo was ready to physically protest. "Does anyone want to get together at the Nintendo World Store in Rockefeller Center, and protest this stupid name change? I am soooooooo down! Let's show NIntendo that they can't make this kind of stupid misstep."

Destructoid editor Nick "Brutal" Chester was a bit more measured, bordering on romantic, saying "My first impression is that it's not a strong name at all and I don't necessarily mean I hate it. I just don't feel it's name commands a presence. The word "wee" makes it seem smaller, inferior. But having beaten Shadow of the Colossus, I know that the tiniest can take out the giants. Personally, I dug the "Revolution," but perhaps it was just familiarity. How many people do you think are going to pronounce it "Why?" Or better yet, are we all ready for the haters to proclaim the same?"

Spilt_Milk on the other hand, went with the potty humor/Nintendo bankruptcy combo prediction: "PEEEEE! Nintendo is officially dead with this name."

Our Atlantean editor Mike Fahey weighed in with "What, was there already a console called The Urine? I mean hell, I will still buy it. I am a whore like that, but I might hold out for a yellow one, cause yellow Wii is healthy Wii."

Frequent (and I do mean frequent) commenter DaveKap said "I'm going to be in an infinite state of denial over this. "Hey Dave, get the Wii yet?" "Huh? I got a Rev, but not a Wii."

Bigby? He didn't like it either. "This is a very, very crappy name, considering Intel already has experimented with Viiv, which aren't really "hot" as far as the name goes. Revolution is way better!"

Former executive editor Joel Johnson, now of Dethroner fame, analyzed the name thusly: "I am in shock at how a marketing person could think that was a good idea it's one of those names that is totally brilliant in a marketing sense and completely awful in an actual snese SNESe ^HELLO I JUST MADE A BETTER NAME"

Ashcraft seemed to like it, simply agreeing with "Oui."

Someone named Robert Summa (who?) saw nothing but doom and gloom "Nintendo was on such a roll too. They had to fuck it all up, didn't they?" Indeed, Mr. Summa!

In general, I'm surprised to go back and read how positive the comments were, possibly due to our more restrictive commenter invite system in place at the time.

What a difference a year makes. Everything worked out okay and no one got hurt. Michael McWhertor

Revolution Is Officially Wii [Kotaku]