Nintendo's codename was Revolution — the actual name everyone hated became a phenomenon

Nintendo developed its seventh-generation console under the codename 'Revolution' — a name that reflected Satoru Iwata's vision of transforming how people played video games. The codename was well received by journalists and gamers alike. It was short, powerful, and made a promise. When Nintendo finally revealed the real name on April 27, 2006, the reaction was brutal.

The name was 'Wii.' Nintendo explained that 'Wii' sounds like 'we,' emphasising that the console was for everyone. The two lowercase 'i's represented two people standing side by side and the pairing of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. The press and public did not care. Forbes reported that fans feared the name would cement Nintendo's reputation as a toy maker for children. BBC News noted a flood of schoolyard jokes online. Developers and journalists openly said they preferred the codename 'Revolution.'

Reggie Fils-Aimé, President of Nintendo of America, defended the name. He said Nintendo chose 'Wii' over 'Revolution' because they wanted something short, distinctive, and easy to pronounce in every language. 'Revolution' was too long, too generic, and too hard to trademark. But the damage was done — the announcement was widely considered a public relations disaster.

The Wii became the fastest-selling home console in Nintendo's history. Within a year it was the best-selling console of its generation. The motion controls, the pack-in game Wii Sports, and the broad appeal to non-gamers drove adoption far beyond what the hardcore audience expected. Total lifetime sales reached 101 million units. The name that everyone hated became one of the most recognisable brand names in gaming history.