Codename: MARZ, VERV, TAC, DirectX-box

You know it as: Xbox

DirectX-box is quite literal and perhaps too obvious to the mainstream market. It's a black box based on Direct-X. Hm. How about the recently revealed pet names of MARZ (Microsoft Active Reality Zone), VERV (Virtual Entertainment and Reality Venture), TAC (Total Action Center) and CPG (Cyber Playground)? All awful, eh?

One name, also admitted by Xbox brainchild Seamus Blackley, stuck around for Microsoft's second machine...

Codename: Xenon

You know it as: Xbox 360

NextBox, while popular among the press, was never the official codename - Xenon has that honor. Still, one of the proposed names for the original Xbox - TS0 - ended up being this machine's actual name. Turns out TS0 stood for "Three Six Zero."

Codename: Nitro

You know it as: Nintendo DS

The DS' first name, Nitro, gave no indication that we'd be playing a machine with two screens, one of which would be touch sensitive. It did ignite a period of explosive growth for Nintendo though, so the name has become entirely appropriate. Nitro now exists as the capture system Nintendo provides entities like GamesRadar. Armed with audio and video outputs, it allows us to record footage of both DS and GBA titles.

Not sure what the shark fin is all about, or why we still don't have a DS Lite Nitro, but hey, we're happy to have one at all.

Codename: Revolution

You know it as: Wii

After two sound defeats at retail (sorry N64/GC fans), Nintendo needed something big to get gamers excited again. More and more were flocking to Xbox while PS2 continued its uninterrupted dominion over all of Gameland. The first hint Nintendo gave about its next system, that it was codenamed "Revolution," almost became an instant legend. Could this be Nintendo's big comeback? Will the past 10 years of staunch loyalty be rewarded?

Whether or not you consider Wii a reward, it's kicking everyone's ass up into their collective necks.  It was first dubbed "Wii" on April 27, 2006. - we covered it here. Nintendo had this to say about the change:

"Wii has a distinctive 'ii' spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play. And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of video games that sets it apart from the crowd.

So that’s Wii. But now Nintendo needs you. Because, it’s really not about you or me. It’s about Wii. And together, Wii will change everything"

Before we head off, let's take a second to point out how Nintendo's many codenames actually appear on the games you buy. Some of you probably already know about the codes that appear on the boxes, but if not, here's a little Easter egg session.

Game Boy Color was known as Color Game Boy before the adjective jumped to the end of the title. Here it is on a typical GBC game:

GameCube, formerly known as Dolphin, makes its presence known via a "DOL" stamp:

The DS, once Nitro, slaps NTR at the beginning:

And finally, Wii gives a microscopic shout-out to what was considered a revolution:

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