I first got the Wii about 18 months ago, and it has been absolutely wonderful.  It is one of the easiest to use and most reliable game systems I've ever used.  It includes step by step instructions for set up in a quick start guide that has you playing almost immediately, and the included sports game has you starting to use your Wii the day you buy it.  I think that even the most video game illiterate person would be able to use this system AND find a game for it that they enjoy playing.

The Wii itself is small, portable, and discreet.  You can stick it in a cabinet, next to the TV in it's...