It depends on the game. Most games have various control schemes, and also there is the "classic controller" which is just a normal controller. Gamecube controllers can also be used, and you can play GC games on it.

If you got it though, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to play the games with a normal controller... The games specifically made for Wii, I mean. Fighting games and shit usually have an option to use a regular controller, but a lot don't.

Hardware-wise, the Wii is more powerful than an Xbox and less powerful and an Xbox360/PS3. The thing is, Nintendo developed a unique way that they render graphics, so the graphics can be really amazing and get a lot more out of the hardware. The graphics really depend on the game though...

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