Update: Nintendo confirms Wii Mini
$100 for non-connected machine with no BC - currently Canada only
Nintendo has now confirmed the Wii Mini by unveiling an official site for the machine.
Extra details have become public alongside the reveal, including a price tag of $100, the fact that the machine cannot connect to the internet and is not compatible with GameCube games. For now, it seems, the machine will be a Canadian exclusive, but for how long is uncertain. An official Nintendo statement released to GamesIndustry International said that "no announcements have been made regarding other regions."
A listing for a Wii Mini has been spotted on the website of Best Buy Canada, seemingly confirming rumours this week that a re-jigged form factor for the console was on its way to retailers.
The listing gives a release date of December 7 and shows the Wii Mini to be an upright machine in black with red edging, bundled with a single Wiimote. The site says pre-orders are being taken now, but links only to a page for existing Wii products. No price is listed for the unit.
Nintendo has yet to officially confirm the product, but has been contacted for clarification.
The leak comes hot on the heels of the launch of the Wii U in North America earlier this month. The machine launches in Europe on November 30.
Perfect sense. Make different products for different market segments. Like Ford do!
"Can I have that new Wii please?"
"Certainly, we have plenty in stock..."
Way to kill off your own sales?
As Bruce said, different models for different consumers. This is a budget model for low-income families who don't have the cash to buy a Wii U, or any other gaming system right now. There are plenty of people who don't have $400 to spend on a Wii U and games. Such a videogames market exists in North America. Why did the PS2 and GBA sell for so long in NA? Because they were cheap games systems that became available to people who otherwise couldn't afford to buy into a dedicated gaming system. This is a continuation of that--a cheap, existing console with plenty of software to choose from at a very. very affordable price.
This machine, based on description alone is obsolete before it even makes it to the shelves!
Oh heck! Made the mistake of actually thinking about this and the Wii mini actually has no purpose! None at all! How is that possible?
I mean it can's download shopping channel games or do MiiI's with friends or anything other than play Wii games that aren't made any-more by anyone including Nintendo. It's like selling a brand new retro games machine. Like fake ageing something into an antique. You buy it to look at. It's not even worth plugging in....
I'm thinking myself into oblivion now. Am I an AI... is this what Cortana meant by rampancy.......is Nintendo some kind of brain virus!
Edited 1 times. Last edit by Peter Dwyer on 27th November 2012 3:54pm
I would assume that Nintendo's strategy would include gaining as much market penetration as possible before the next xbox/ps4. If they give people an alternative place to get their Nintendo fix rather than pulling the plug on the Wii properly then surely that would work against them achieving that objective? I always thought the same about the way that they have supported the DS for so long.
The only one that has ever eaten into sales of the newer generation product is the PSP.
Most of the commenters that are doubting this (with good reason) may be slightly biased because of their preference in technology moving forward. However for parents of young children, they don't care about the latest and the greatest. They care about fun for the value. With so many parenting manuals instructing less TV and video game time for the demographic that really the wii really shines in, the PS3, WiiU and even 360 seem a bit pricey and "counterproductive" (parenting wise). The Wii mini might just sweeten the deal.
Edited 1 times. Last edit by Anthony Chan on 27th November 2012 7:05pm
Does it support USB Ethernet? Wi-Fi is missing not internet support so if it does...
Annoyed it doesn't play wiiware games out of the box... first the wiiu and now this- seems our sales are damned forever.
Like the unit although the button placement looks like a hard push could topple the unit?
Might get one later on for the kids when they grow up... then again already have 2 wiis and will be swapping one for a wiiu soon.
And the main thing we do on the Wii... play Mario Kart online... won't work!
Really hope that USB internet will work...
The system's a top loader like the gamecube/dreamcast, it wont tip over. What's shown is the top view of the system. It's still unclear if only the wi-fi feature has been removed and it still has at least 1 USB port that you can use to connect a broadband adapter.