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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I like the design, it's unfortunate that it can't go online.

NWR had rumors about this a couple of days ago that got picked up at a couple of places on the web. We didn't have the picture of the details about "no online", though. Just the date and the name.

Posted by

Guillaume

on: 11/27/12, 17:00

Edited:

11/27/12, 17:01

It doesn't look bad in that pic but other's I've seen make the red part look awful. Strange decision on Nintendo's part to release this... and even more strange for it to be Canada only (for now anyway).

Posted by

VofEscaflowne

on: 11/27/12, 17:03

Canada only sounds weird, but I'm sure it will be in the US too. Probably sure.

Posted by

Zero

on: 11/27/12, 17:05

That's good that Nintendo acknowledges that Wii's online is worthless. I like this release I guess, it's an efficient product for people who never bought a Wii. i dont think it will detract from Wii U sales like some people were saying over the weekend.

Posted by

GelatinousEncore

on: 11/27/12, 17:05

So this thing can only play Wii games. Can't even play Virtual Console stuff, since it can't go online?

This thing is the Gameboy Micro of Nintendo consoles.

Posted by

GameDadGrant

on: 11/27/12, 17:07

I think it's a dumb decision to remove internet access. I feel like I read somewhere that Wii has the greatest Netflix userbase of any of the consoles, which would make sense considering how many Wiis are out there, so it seems like that might be a selling point for this console. Of course, it would also suck not having access to the Wii Shop Channel and online play in games, but considering most existing Wii owners don't want to go into the Wii Shop Channel already, I don't think that's a huge loss for Nintendo.

Of course, I say it's dumb to remove it, but if somebody's waited six years to pick up a Wii, they're probably not super concerned about it, so it probably has no impact whatsoever on this machine's target market.

I wonder if it still has USB ports, so you could potentially hook up the ethernet adapter? Or even if it has an SD card slot, since that's mostly used for downloadable games and DLC.

I like the look in this pic, but I'd like to see what it looks like from the side.

GameDadGrant said:

So this thing can only play Wii games. Can't even play Virtual Console stuff, since it can't go online?

This thing is the Gameboy Micro of Nintendo consoles.

I guess that's sort of an apt comparison, but the Game Boy Micro was more of a niche product, while this is clearly intended to be more mass-market. Besides, I love my Game Boy Micro.

Posted by

rebonack

on: 11/27/12, 17:08

Edited:

11/27/12, 17:17

For families that want a game machine for the kids at christmas, it's great - I think the red was a smart choice simply because of that.

However, that being said, the deal is stupid. You can get a full online wii system with NSMB Wii with it for $130... Why wouldn't you pay $30 more for a game and system online capabilities?

S

Edit
@GameDadGrant

Exactly - it should fall off the face of the earth come New Years..

Posted by

Smerd

on: 11/27/12, 17:10

Edited:

11/27/12, 17:12

@rebonack

I dunno, I'd say this mini-Wii is pretty niche, too.

Posted by

GameDadGrant

on: 11/27/12, 17:22

What a weird piece of news all around.

The collector in me wants it. One day it might become sought-after like the top-loader NES.

Probably not...

Posted by

ploot

on: 11/27/12, 17:34

@GameDadGrant Well, it seems like they cut out internet functionality in the interest of hitting that $99 price point to appeal to more people, whereas the Game Boy Micro actually cost MORE than the GBA SP when it was first released.

(That's not to say that the Wii Mini WILL be a mass market success, just that that's their intention. I have no idea how successful it will be, if at all.)

Posted by

rebonack

on: 11/27/12, 17:46

tempted to buy just for the wiimote and chuck, resell the console. though it could be a collector's item someday...

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 11/27/12, 17:53

Just saw pictures of the console from the side, not a fan of the weird, angular design.

Posted by

rebonack

on: 11/27/12, 18:02

It looks like a toy. This is probably a "get this cheap quick small Wii to bust open at house parties" deal. None of us should buy it

Posted by

GelatinousEncore

on: 11/27/12, 18:07

Love the design, it looks sharp! It's a little weird to leave out the wi-fi though, I'd buy one for sure (to replace my broken Wii) if it could go online.

Posted by

deathly_hallows

on: 11/27/12, 18:55

The angles and color look somewhat Famicom-esque to me. Anyone else seeing it too?



I really like the design, but it's a little insane to not have internet capability. Also, if I were Nintendo, I wouldn't be doing anything (else) to confuse the audience between Wii and Wii U.... not doing themselves any favors in that regard.

Posted by

Chocobo_Rider

on: 11/27/12, 19:01

NinSage said:

Also, if I were Nintendo, I wouldn't be doing anything (else) to confuse the audience between Wii and Wii U.... not doing themselves any favors in that regard.

It probably doesn't help that on the box, it looks like the system has a big "U" on it.

Posted by

rebonack

on: 11/27/12, 19:06

Hmmm considering it comes with a wiimote and nunchuck it's really only $40, if they bundle it with a game like DKCR it could be kind of a crazy good deal.

Posted by

deathly_hallows

on: 11/27/12, 19:08

I like the look of it. I'd consider getting one if it was coming to NA, since my Wii is on its last legs and will probably only act as a Gamecube from now on anyway. And, as already mentioned, the Wiimote+ & Nunchuck make it a pretty good deal.

Also: Nintendo is insane. Luckily it's only coming out in one country (for now). I can see it now: moms, shopping for their children who want a Wii U, asking for "The New Wii" at the counter...

Posted by

vinniebrock

on: 11/27/12, 19:20

Edited:

11/27/12, 19:22

It's shape reminds me of the SNES, which I dig, but the no online thing is a deal breaker for me. I would have considered buying one.

Posted by

FINlos

on: 11/27/12, 19:21

Wait...is it a top-loader? First Sony and now Nintendo? Gah!

Posted by

ludist210

on: 11/27/12, 19:26