(http://venturebeat.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/nintendo-wii-mini.jpg?w=558&h=9999&crop=0)
Just look at that sexy device. That's a Wii mini.
Also, I'd like to say something concerning those who think this will confuse consumers even more.
Nobody confuses the iPod for the iPad, even though they're one letter away. No one confuses the iPad and the iPad mini. Wii and Wii U are entirely different, physically and function-wise. "Mini" is pretty explanatory. It's a smaller Wii. Even then. if you're not smart enough to ask a salesman what the difference is,..... then there's no hope for you.
One has a giant U on the end of the name and a big screen controller.
Wii+U= 33.3% improvement, PLUS a screen that comes with it! Yayness!
I'm actually tempted to get a Wii mini and use it solely for emulation, but the existing Wii is already small.
You know what I meant. I may just have to import this because.... I don't know. I have a problem.
Now this is what a console should look like. I kind of love this design, best looking Nintendo console since the SNES. :-[ Pity about that "no internet" thing though.
I imagine that only means wifi, unless they took out the usb ports too.
Unfortunatly not, according to Nintendo "The Wii mini console does not connect to the Internet and does not support online features in games."
Still a sexy piece of hardware.
So I take it they removed the USB ports along with the SD card slot.
Plus Gamecube support. Just like the new European Wii. So you can't use gamecube controllers for wii games that supports it even.
Even without internet, I want one. It looks like a top loader too. As neat as the slot load thinger on the Wii is, I don't trust drives like that.
DAT DESIGN
I don't understand why top-loading consoles aren't prevalent. I don't care if it's not "sleek," it's way better than a front-loading drive any day.
The design looks very neat. I like it.
Wow, $99.99 ..Used Wii's are cheaper
I do not see the appeal, as it lost all the good features of the original Wii, including the sd card slot, usb ports, and internet capabilities. Why would you want it, its more close to the extremely old gamecube in the really cut down state.
Quote from: The Uninvited Gremlin on November 28, 2012, 04:13:29 am
I do not see the appeal, as it lost all the good features of the original Wii, including the sd card slot, usb ports, and internet capabilities. Why would you want it, its more close to the extremely old gamecube in the really cut down state.
I tend to agree.
I think only faithful Nintendo fans will go for this, other than that it's just not practical nor is it economical despite its $99 price tag. New original model Wii's were/are selling for peanuts over here, one store had the black Mario Kart bundles for $98 not too long ago. The newer Wii's don't have Game Cube compatibility but you still get everything else.
(http://www1.pcmag.com/media/images/365912-nintendo-wii-mini.jpg?thumb=y)(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BDCqpuwRnf4/TTgLU7YAEYI/AAAAAAAAG6Y/hL0ip2osAvw/s1600/famicom+disk+system.png)
WUT
Yeah it just needs that logo colour changed and Nintendo in white ;)
Did you see the JP version yet?
Quote from: The Uninvited Gremlin on November 28, 2012, 04:13:29 am
I do not see the appeal, as it lost all the good features of the original Wii, including the sd card slot, usb ports, and internet capabilities. Why would you want it, its more close to the extremely old gamecube in the really cut down state.
I also agree. I guess that no internet connection capabilities also means no Virtual Console or Wiiware and with no Gamecube controller ports you have to play games like Smash Bros with Classic Controller or Wiimote. It's like a Famicom without FDS capabilities. It's like... like a NES.
Quote from: petik1 on November 28, 2012, 07:22:32 pm
Quote from: L___E___T on November 28, 2012, 11:24:49 am
Did you see the JP version yet?
What JP version?
Since the Wii without Gamecube ports was not sold in Japan, I don't expect they'll have this design either.
I will be very suprised if it's Canada only for a good amount of time. :)
The Canadian market itself isn't enough to support the R&D on this redesign, seems pretty obvious to me other territories will be announced soon.
Again, why buy this..at $100
You could get Wii for $50 with Gamecube BC
Top-Loader NES/New Famicom.
Super Nintendo Jr./Super Famicom Jr.
Nintendo has always offered redesigns of their systems, and they always end up being worth more than their common counterparts in the future due to rarity.
Don't get me wrong, I like to play my games not look at them on a shelf. But damn... I could look at that thing all day. And for less than a day's wage... I'll take it!
Quote from: egg_sanwich on December 03, 2012, 07:58:20 am
Top-Loader NES/New Famicom.
Nintendo has always offered redesigns of their systems, and they always end up being worth more than their common counterparts in the future due to rarity.
Speaking specifically about the AV Famicom, I don't think they're worth more due to being rare but due to their improved functionality. The mini Wii is the opposite in that rather than improving on features it limits them.
Regarding what they'll be worth in the future, I can't see it being anything to be concerned about. Maybe in 20 years time they'll command $300 if they're still working, but who really cares?
It is funny how prices fluctuate with time though. E.g. My original Wii cost me around $300 brand new, now it's worth $50 if I'm lucky and in 10 years it will probably be worth $300 again. :)
Quote from: Frank_fjs on December 03, 2012, 08:35:45 am
Speaking specifically about the AV Famicom, I don't think they're worth more due to being rare but due to their improved functionality. The mini Wii is the opposite in that rather than improving on features it limits them.
Ok, but how's this for functionality? Mount this thing in your bathroom, your Honda Civic, or your Grandpa's RV! Wii anywhere!
It's not like this kind of thing is new for Nintendo. Something that hasn't been mentioned here yet is the Game Boy Micro. Essentially the same concept, and people bought that (I think). I think they should have left in the internet connectivity, but then it'd pretty much be the revised Wii they released in Europe already.
Quote from: Lum on November 30, 2012, 12:25:57 am
Since the Wii without Gamecube ports was not sold in Japan, I don't expect they'll have this design either.
Never doubt anything L__E__T says without good reason. ;)
I'm no luminary, but the Wii revision wasn't a massive one until now. It doesn't make sense to design something like this for a sole country like canada, I think it's just bad timing around the WiiU launch if anything, reckon you'll see it announced for other territories quite soon in the new year.
Yes Canada has poor internet options, but a whole new recase and internal redesign is a big spend on Nintendo's part to then sell it in only one country. You're basically spending more money to then try and recoup it even slower. You could just do a price cut and save all that risk.
From what I can tell it's more like a test.. If it does well here, they'll sell it elsewhere..
According to Nintendo, there are "currently no plans to expand it to other markets"
but is there really a market for a barely cheaper wii that is completely crippled? Maybe a few collectors I guess, but I hope canadians are smarter than that..
It can't even play virtual console for goodnes sake. I'd prefer it no disc drive myself.
Just announced today! The Wii mini 2! Disc drive removed for cost cutting purposes. Now stare at your Wii menu for cheaper than ever!
Crade, Nintendo don't do tests in that way. If it was a test, they'd have spent all that money on R&D and production, which is a big risk. Market tests like that are done through research and sometimes small pocket launches, though you don't see the NYC NES market test for example so much anymore, not with a company this size.
Nintendo's line is basically a no comment. The VC didn't generate a lot of money and I have a feeling they'll switch it all over to WiiU soon as well to be honest.
There is some comment from Nintendo, but it's only moderatly helpful, heres an interview with a rep from Nintendo Canada:
"
no other region is currently planning on carrying the console. That decision, Ryan said, happened at "very high levels."
"
"It's not the fact that there's red in it, and we love red in Canada," Ryan said. "That's not it at all. It's just, we're the market that's been chosen to launch this product, and no other territories has made the announcement that they're launching it. Whether or not we're a test market will have to be seen, but we plan on it working really well."
http://www.polygon.com/2012/12/5/3728780/wii-mini-lost-online-functionality-other-wii-features-to-stay-under
Lots of people like to think that they will switch the VC over to the wii-u.. If it's actually true that it doesn't generate much money, I think people are just being hopeful. I don't know why people would think they would invest more into it if they think it has been working out badly.
They'll switch the content over I expect. The VC in essence at least in terms of digital games is already there.
I take everything any PR rep says with a punch of salt. In fact, I'll put money down if it isn't announced for other terrtories before May, it's a when, not if. No other territories have made announcements that they're selling it yet, just because they're all WiiU right now, this can wait but it will be rolled out.
This machine is Nintendo-Japan orientated, they think of Japan first then see if they can roll out to other markets. Canada have decided to run with this early to get in on the holiday sales. Maybe they don't have as much behind the WiiU, who knows. I just don't buy this is Canada only, it's not a realistic decision at all.
Oh whaddaya know it wasn't Canada-only after all. Who'd have guessed it :)
But no American release as far as we know. Sigh. Nintendo I want to buy your useless junk!
Relax, it'll arrive in due time. Can't believe they removed the component video though. Shame.
Quote from: petik1 on November 27, 2012, 12:17:12 pm
(http://venturebeat.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/nintendo-wii-mini.jpg?w=558&h=9999&crop=0)
Just look at that sexy device. That's a Wii mini.
Also, I'd like to say something concerning those who think this will confuse consumers even more.
Nobody confuses the iPod for the iPad, even though they're one letter away. No one confuses the iPad and the iPad mini. Wii and Wii U are entirely different, physically and function-wise. "Mini" is pretty explanatory. It's a smaller Wii. Even then. if you're not smart enough to ask a salesman what the difference is,..... then there's no hope for you.
Yes it it, but other than the gorgeous Famicom-like design, the console has a number of downsides.
- No internet
- Cables for it are exclusively made (read this on a website which unboxed it and review it)
- Price is higher than a discontinued Wii which allows to connect GameCube controller and also play NGC games
- Plus no USB access I heard,
- Plus no component 480p video (only composite 480p video).
- Plus it's barely any smaller than the regular Wii.
- Plus adds extra confusion to a market already confused by the Wii U.
but one's red and one's blue!
Quote from: L___E___T on February 28, 2013, 08:16:30 am
- Plus no component 480p video (only composite 480p video).
I don't think you can do 480P over composite, just 480i.
Ah ok, I didn't thk about it, just guessed. But yeah they got rid of the component video for some reason...
There's a Wii2HDMI adapter and HD Composite Cable (third party) which supposedly makes Wii look a bit better than in its original SD form, can't confirm for now if it does.