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What GPU Did the Wii Use?

Published in Wii GPU 1 min read

The Nintendo Wii console utilized the ATI "Hollywood" graphics processing unit (GPU). This custom-designed chip was integral to the Wii's ability to render its unique graphics and support its motion-controlled gameplay.

The ATI "Hollywood" GPU

Developed by AMD (which had acquired ATI Technologies), the "Hollywood" chip was a specialized graphics processor designed specifically for the Wii's architecture. It was integrated alongside the console's main processor, codenamed "Broadway," into a single package, optimizing performance and reducing manufacturing costs.

Key details about the "Hollywood" GPU include:

  • Designed by: AMD
  • Fabrication Process: 90 nm or 65 nm CMOS

This GPU was a critical component, enabling the Wii to deliver its signature visual style and facilitate the interactive gaming experiences that defined the console. While not designed for high-definition graphics, its capabilities were perfectly suited to the Wii's standard-definition output and its focus on innovative gameplay rather than raw graphical power.

For more in-depth technical specifications of the "Hollywood" chip, you can refer to its dedicated Wikipedia page.