Nintendo is launching the Wii Mini. The crimson console is billed as a Canada-exclusive for now -- we're reaching out to confirm if and when it might go elsewhere -- and is clearly meant to catch those families that find the Wii U (or even a regular Wii) too pricey. To get there, though, they'll have to make some big sacrifices. The Wii Mini cuts out both GameCube compatibility (seen in some regular Wii variants) and, more importantly, internet access; unfortunately, this won't be your budget Netflix box. Still, when gamers in the Great White North can pick one up on December 7th for $100, it might be the ideal fit for that TV in the basement or the occasional party.
New Wii?? Canada only? No online (though it is the Wii lol...) ?
WHAT THE SHIT IS THIS!?!
Oh and really Nintendo? What is with you guys and cannibalizing your own goddamn sales. Focus on the Wii U now for fucks sake!
Now, I know this won't (actually I don't know...I'm assuming) seriously affect Wii U sales but what's the logic here? They are already facing critiques about their confusion with 3DS/DS/Wii/Wii U/ and now they're introducing a new console/design? What the hell is this? The Wii is done, can we seriously not focus on the brand new real console that just released?
Not sure if I've ever heard of something like this, ever. They are releasing this thing AFTER a new console JUST released....
Whatever it is, can we agree it's certainly not the same market as the Wii U's? So I don't get how this could possibly cause confusion or have Nintendo eat up their own sales. If you want the new console with the screen in its controller, you're not gonna think "maybe it's this cheap Wii Mini thing".
I think this was a real real smart move, it's cute, they will save tons of money by not including that expensive slot loading drive (fun fact: the Wii's drive was it's most expensive component), and it will still play great games (with a few exceptions for the rare online Wii games).
After the whole Wii / Wii U confusion within the general press and having SEVERAL retailers tell me there were no differences between the standard and deluxe Wii Us aside from color and Nintendoland (anecdotes ahoy!), marketplace confusion sadly does not surprise me anymore, at all.
@deathly_hallows Really the only part of this thing I question is removing all online functionality. Other than that I think it looks good and isn't a bad deal for the price.
Honestly, removing the network functionality would make sense if this came out a year from now, or so, when nobody is really going to be playing Wii games online anyway. Sony's had success releasing new models of old hardware after their next gen console is out, so, I don't think the concept itself is weird.
Really, only the timing here is odd to me. There's a new console out. Has anyone been waiting 6 years to get a low cost Wii? Is anyone that interested in a "backup" Wii going to be motivated to buy close to Wii U launch?