Games

Nintendo reveals scaled-down Wii Mini

Nintendo reveals scaled-down Wii Mini
Nintendo has confirmed a smaller version of its popular console will launch in Canada this year as the "Wii Mini"
Nintendo has confirmed a smaller version of its popular console will launch in Canada this year as the "Wii Mini"
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The Wii Mini comes packaged with a matching red Wii MotionPlus controller and Nunchuk
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The Wii Mini comes packaged with a matching red Wii MotionPlus controller and Nunchuk
The Wii Mini's disc tray will no longer read Gamecube games and, more importantly, all internet connectivity has been removed
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The Wii Mini's disc tray will no longer read Gamecube games and, more importantly, all internet connectivity has been removed
The redesigned Wii features a manual top-loading disc tray, as opposed to the automatic disc slot on the original model
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The redesigned Wii features a manual top-loading disc tray, as opposed to the automatic disc slot on the original model
The Wii Mini comes packaged with a matching red Wii MotionPlus controller and Nunchuk
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The Wii Mini comes packaged with a matching red Wii MotionPlus controller and Nunchuk
Nintendo is launching the Wii Mini exclusively in Canada on December 7
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Nintendo is launching the Wii Mini exclusively in Canada on December 7
Nintendo has confirmed a smaller version of its popular console will launch in Canada this year as the "Wii Mini"
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Nintendo has confirmed a smaller version of its popular console will launch in Canada this year as the "Wii Mini"
Nintendo has confirmed a smaller version of its popular console will launch in Canada this year as the "Wii Mini"
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Nintendo has confirmed a smaller version of its popular console will launch in Canada this year as the "Wii Mini"
View gallery - 7 images

In the wake of last week’s launch of the Wii U, Nintendo has announced a redesigned version of its predecessor. After several rumors of a "Wii Mini" leaked online, the company has now confirmed that a more compact Wii will be launching this year. Set to hit store shelves in Canada in time for the holidays, the Wii Mini boasts a smaller size, lower price, and sturdier design, but also sees a couple of Wii features omitted.

Aside from the reduced size, the Wii Mini sports a matte black and red case and comes packaged with a matching red Wii MotionPlus controller and Nunchuk. The new system will also be compatible with any previous Wii accessories, like other Wii-motes, the WiiFit Balance Board, or the Classic Controller. The redesign features a manual top-loading disc tray, as opposed to the automatic disc slot on the original model, which means the console cannot be placed on its side.

Unfortunately, the more portable size also means a few features from the Wii will not be making their way to the Wii Mini. While Nintendo promises all 1,400+ titles for the Wii will be playable on the new system, the disc tray will no longer read Gamecube games and, more importantly, all internet connectivity has been removed. Without an online connection, users won't be able to play games online, download titles from the Wii Shop, or stream video through Netflix and Hulu, among many other functions.

To be fair, the Wii was never known for its online features and Gamecube titles are mostly confined to used game shops these days, but dropping these features still essentially reduces the smaller console to a bare bones Wii disc reader.

Nintendo is launching the Wii Mini exclusively in Canada on December 7
Nintendo is launching the Wii Mini exclusively in Canada on December 7

Nintendo is launching the Wii Mini exclusively in Canada on December 7 and has stated it has no information on if it will be released in other countries in the future. Some retailers, like Best Buy, are already taking pre-orders, with a price set at US$99.99.

Source: Nintendo via Best Buy

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2 comments
2 comments
Gregg Eshelman
I can see dropping Gamecube support but internet gone too? The red color harkens back to the Famicom.
Andrew Christianson
Considering how awkward the Wii's internet functions were, losing it for the Mini probably won't be much of a loss. The lack of backwards compatibility will be more of a hit (because finding a functioning Gamecube nowadays is kind of like trying to find a Starbucks on Titan) but probably not much of one because, at the end of the day, the point behind this product is to let people play Wii games at a price that makes even the original Wii look expensive by comparison.