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.

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What do ya think?

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Kal-El814 said:

@DeputyVanHalen
Has anyone been waiting 6 years to get a low cost Wii?

Yes. Plenty of people without sacks of cash to throw at expensive toys such as video games.

Plus, the Wii Mini will be a collector's item.

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 11/27/12, 21:19

Kal-El814 said:

Has anyone been waiting 6 years to get a low cost Wii?

Yes, of course.

Posted by

Guillaume

on: 11/27/12, 21:28

It looks kind of weird. Plus being a top loader, it doesn't really gel with where I usually put my Wii.

Posted by

sirmastersephiroth

on: 11/27/12, 21:31

I say this will confuse a lot of people even more when picking up Christmas gifts.... Last week, for example, I saw this guy buying NSMBW thinking that it was the Wii U game...

Posted by

meh

on: 11/27/12, 21:42

ploot said:

Err... Canada is NA.

i'll just refer the US as "Reggieland" from now on.

Edit: Since there is a Nintendo of Canada, why isnt NoA "NoUS" instead...? i could have avoided this whole embarrassing forum posting business entirely. This was clearly Nintendo's fault.

Posted by

vinniebrock

on: 11/27/12, 21:50

Edited:

11/27/12, 23:29

I thought the Wii was already Mini. I guess this is a way for Nintendo to save money on the slot drive while continuing to sell the Wii going forward. Anyway, I don't think it even matters much at this point. The Wii stopped selling substantial numbers years ago. I won't even comment on the lack of internet access.

Posted by

Tranquilo

on: 11/27/12, 22:03

Edited:

11/27/12, 22:22

@vinniebrock North America ain't a country

Posted by

GelatinousEncore

on: 11/27/12, 22:08

Kal-El814 said:

@DeputyVanHalen

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?

If this had online (for Netflix), I'd put one in the kid's playroom so they wouldn't always be wanting to watch movies and play games in the living room.

Posted by

Earendil

on: 11/27/12, 22:11

@meh
I've seen parents pick up 3DS games and take them to the counter thinking they are DS games, it's a problem with Nintendo's whole branding scheme (naming conventions, graphic design, marketing, etc.). As a graphic designer with a bit of experience in branding it drives me absolutely bonkers to see how hard they make it for consumers to tell what the hell is going on,.

Posted by

deathly_hallows

on: 11/27/12, 22:27

@deathly_hallows I agree. I know it's not hard stuff to figure out but they should make the information obvious, instantaneous for the casual consumer. One of my friends is a huge PC gamer, he never plays consoles so he doesn't pay attention to them but he loves everything from Skyrim to Battlefield 3 to Borderlands 2, and last E3 he watched the Nintendo conference and told me "Why are they doing a new controller for the old system?". This is still happening to this day, why doesn't the commercial say it's a new console?

Oh well. It's not a huge deal for me personally

Posted by

GelatinousEncore

on: 11/27/12, 22:33

@deathly_hallows What are you talking about? 3DS games look completely different, the system logo is on the right side of the box!

Posted by

rebonack

on: 11/27/12, 22:55

I think Canada is the guinea pig for this. I also think it is retarded to remove online functionality from it. However, it may not hurt to put it in the kids' room. ⊙~⊙

Posted by

Deerock69

on: 11/27/12, 23:05

Tempted to head down to the Ambassador Bridge and maybe pick one of these up in Windsor.

Why? No reason.

Posted by

GameDadGrant

on: 11/27/12, 23:08

GelatinousEncore said:

@vinniebrock North America ain't a country

Fixed, heh. hmm... guess I had a brain fart. Can't think straight while at work, I suppose.

*is embarassed*

Posted by

vinniebrock

on: 11/27/12, 23:16

@GameDadGrant
Be sure to stop by and play some Smash Bros Brawl with me the proper way!

Posted by

ploot

on: 11/27/12, 23:25

That's one ugly console, but it seems like good business. Though I'm wondering if they should include a game.

Posted by

achhibbar

on: 11/28/12, 00:31

@Guillaume

Agreed. This impacts my life in no way shape or form.

Definitely weird though.

Posted by

Secret_Tunnel

on: 11/28/12, 00:36

I didn't even see the Canada part. Now it all makes sense. maybe they'll put this out on Australia and other regions like Brazil where the tariffs are ludicrous

Posted by

Tranquilo

on: 11/28/12, 00:56

Well, looks like it may be a top-loader... but the lack of Internet means no-go for me. It also looks like it doesn't have USB ports, so even the USB adapter can't be used for it.

Posted by

Mop it up

on: 11/28/12, 01:11

The Wii was already "mini" ! What the heck?!

Posted by

Marsh

on: 11/28/12, 02:10