History Main / ProductFacelift

* The Xbox360 received a few model refreshes over its lifespan. The first was the Xbox 360 Elite, which included a larger hard drive and different livery. Subsequent models included the CPU and GPU being made in smaller transistor sizes, so as to curb the overheating and red-ring issue. It eventually got a downsized version, the Xbox 360 S (which also came with built-in Wi-Fi), and a newer version of that, the Xbox 360 E.

*** Eventually, after the UsefulNotes/WiiU was released, there was a new version of the Wii called the "Wii Mini" released in certain markets, which in addition to not being backward-compatible also had no online capabilities. (However, as of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection's shutdown, the latter technically only means a lack of ability downloadable games.)

** The UsefulNotes/NintendoWii has been updated to a black version with the Wii Motion Plus integrated into the Wiimotes. Led to a UsefulNotes/ConsoleWars gag on ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' where Sony says the [=PlayStation=] Move [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial is nothing like the Wii]] because it's black, only to be informed that black Wiis exist now. "WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?!"
*** The "Family Edition" of the Wii is smaller and designed to sit horizontally, but all GameCube backwards compatibility is absent.
*** Eventually, after the UsefulNotes/WiiU was released, there was a new version of the Wii called the "Wii Mini" released in certain markets, which in addition to not being backwards compatible also had no online capabilities.

** The [=PlayStation 2=] received a slim version as well, which was even smaller than the [=PSOne=], but didn't have a portable screen add-on. And in Japan, it also got a "media hub" makeover as the [=PSX=].

*** After 2 months as the industry's worst-kept secret, the slimmer, cheaper [=PlayStation 3=] was officially announced. Then a few years later, an even ''slimmer'' (dubbed Super Slim) version came out.

* The [[SegaGenesis Sega Megadrive/Genesis]] went through more versions than any other console, according to TheOtherWiki (and miniaturized ones are still being released ''today''). Its Sega Mega CD add-on also went through one, which somehow effectively ''doubled'' its size.

* Intel turned to the Pentium III architecture to create the Pentium M. On the surface, both are practically the same, but the Pentium M performed so well that it became the EnsembleDarkhorse in the days of the Pentium 4.

** The DS systems are a rather bizarre form of this- first, the DS was released, then it was updated to the DS Lite, which was a smaller version of the same thing. Then came the [=DSi=], which was about the same size as the DS Lite but with different features- and finally the [=DSi=] XL, which is a ''larger'' version of the [=DSi=]. So, is bigger better or not?

** Pictured above: The NintendoEntertainmentSystem's Model NES-101 (1993), which converted the system from a side-loading toaster to a top-loading console with Dogbone controllers. The top-loading design made the cartridge insertion much more robust, cutting down on old "flashing light'" problem caused by bent connector pins, but the one-two punch of releasing it so late in the console's lifespan while NES purists were yelling "TheyChangedItNowItSucks" meant that the new console saw little success and was soon discontinued.

** Pictured above: The NintendoEntertainmentSystem's Model NES-101 (1993), which converted the system from a side-loading toaster to a top-loading console with Dogbone controllers.

The system has been out for awhile. What was once new hotness is now yesterday's headlines. The system has built up a great library, but everybody already has [[KillerApp the best games]]. You've dropped the price, but maybe the [[ConsoleWars next generation]] is starting to horn in on your sales. What's a video game company to do?

** The UsefulNotes/NintendoWii has been updated to a black version with the Wii Motion Plus integrated into the Wiimotes. Led to a ConsoleWars gag on ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' where Sony says the [=PlayStation=] Move [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial is nothing like the Wii]] because it's black, only to be informed that black Wiis exist now. "WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?!"

** The UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS has also gone through this, first with a bigger version called the 3DS XL and then with a kid-friendlier, hingeless version called the 2DS, as it removes the capability for the 3D effect (and regarding kids whose eyes could be damaged by staring at the effect for too long, yes, that's a feature).

** The Nintendo3DS has also gone through this, first with a bigger version called the 3DS XL and then with a kid-friendlier, hingeless version called the 2DS, as it removes the capability for the 3D effect (and regarding kids whose eyes could be damaged by staring at the effect for too long, yes, that's a feature).
** The NintendoWii has been updated to a black version with the Wii Motion Plus integrated into the Wiimotes. Led to a ConsoleWars gag on ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' where Sony says the [=PlayStation=] Move [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial is nothing like the Wii]] because it's black, only to be informed that black Wiis exist now. "WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?!"

*** Eventually, after the WiiU was released, there was a new version of the Wii called the "Wii Mini" released in certain markets, which in addition to not being backwards compatible also had no online capabilities.

* Creator/{{Sony}} released slim versions of its [=PlayStation=] consoles

* The PlayStationPortable was redesigned as the PSP Slim & Lite, gaining a better screen and TV-Out capability along with losing some weight. A second revision was announced, the main changes apparently being a better analog stick and a microphone for Skype.
** And now, PSP Go, which removed the UMD slot, making it the first portable console that does not use physical games.
*** After a couple years of lackluster sales, PSP Go was finally discontinued in 2011, and Sony is concentrating its mobile gaming effort on the lucrative cellphone market. Sony-Ericsson alliance has recently announced a couple of PSP-compatible, Android-based Experia models.
* The PlayStationVita also got a slimmed down version, though it dropped the OLED screen for an LCD.

* Creator/{{Sony}} released slim versions of the PlayStation 1 and [[PlayStation2 2]] consoles, with the new version of the [=PlayStation=] (rechristened [=PSone=]) being so small that, with a portable LCD screen add-on, it makes for a decent portable system.
** In Japan, the [=PS2=] also got a "media hub" makeover as the [=PSX=].
** After 2 months as the industry's worst-kept secret, the slimmer, cheaper [=PS3=] was officially announced.

* Although their aesthetics remain mostly the same, both the PlayStation3 and {{Xbox 360}} have been released with numerous different configurations, mostly revolving around hard drive size. The [=PS3=] models also have varying levels of backwards compatibility, memory card slots and USB ports.
** The newer versions of the 360 are also desired by some simply because their revised design supposedly means less of that console's infamous overheating failures.
** To clarify: The new Xbox 360 (commonly referred to as the "Xbox 360 Slim", although its official name is "Xbox 360 Elite"... [[NamesTheSame just like the version it replaced]]) is a bit slimmer, much quieter, has a huge vent on one side of it for cooling, and also includes built-in wifi and an internal hard drive. [[MostWonderfulSound And it beeps when you use the buttons on the console to open and close it.]]

[[caption-width-right:350:The original NES and the 1993 redesign. Same specs, different packaging.]]

** The NintendoWii has been updated to a black version with the Wii Motion Plus integrated into the Wiimotes. Led to a ConsoleWars gag on ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' where Sony say the PlayStation Move [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial is nothing like the Wii]] because it's black, only to be informed that black Wiis exist now. "WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?!"
*** The "Family Edition" of the Wii is smaller and designed to sit horizontally, but all GameCube backwards-compatibility is absent.

* {{Sony}} released slim versions of the {{PlayStation}} 1 and [[PlayStation2 2]] consoles, with the new version of the Playstation (rechristened [=PSone=]) being so small that, with a portable LCD screen add-on, it makes for a decent portable system.
** In Japan, the PS2 also got a 'media hub' makeover as the [=PSX=].
** After 2 months as the industry's worst-kept secret, the slimmer, cheaper PS3 has been officially announced.
* The {{PSP}} was redesigned as the ''PSP Slim & Lite'', gaining a better screen and TV-Out capability along with losing some weight. A second revision has been announced, the main changes apparently being a better analog stick and a microphone for Skype.

* The [[SegaGenesis Sega Megadrive/Genesis]] went through more versions than any other console, according to TheOtherWiki (and miniaturised ones are still being released ''today''). Its Sega Mega CD add-on also went through one, which somehow effectively ''doubled'' its size.

* The SegaMasterSystem had three versions, similar to the NES. The first two were ordinary consoles; the third was portable, retitled Game Gear, and it coexisted with the Genesis as a DaddySystem.
* Although their aesthetics remain mostly the same, both the {{PlayStation 3}} and {{Xbox 360}} have been released with numerous different configurations, mostly revolving around hard drive size. The PS3 models also have varying levels of backwards compatibility, memory card slots and USB ports.
** The newer versions of the [=XB360=] are also desired by some simply because their revised design supposedly means less of that console's infamous overheating failures.
** To clarify: The new XBox 360 (commonly referred to as the "XBox 360 Slim", although it's official name is "Xbox 360 Elite"... [[NamesTheSame just like the version it replaced]]) is a bit slimmer, much quieter, has a huge vent on one side of it for cooling, and also includes built-in wifi and an internal hard drive. [[MostWonderfulSound And it beeps when you use the buttons on the console to open and close it.]]
* Non-videogame example: this is common practice in the automotive industry, where cars will have their appearances "refreshed" every few years. Many cars (the Ford Mustang, the VW Beetle) have gone over a decade on the same platform, having their body work periodically updated.

* Creator/{{Nintendo}} is well known for their console redesigns. It possibly invented the practice in its modern form with its late-life redesign of the {{SNES}}, and raised it to an art form with the GameBoy (GameBoyPocket, Game Boy Light [Japan], GameBoyColor), the GameBoyAdvance (GBA SP, GBA Micro), and the NintendoDS (DS Lite, [=DSi=]).

** The 3DS has also gone through this, first with a bigger version called the 3DS XL and then with a kid-friendlier version called the 2DS (as it removes the capability for the 3D effect - and regarding kids whose eyes could be damaged by staring at the effect for too long, yes, that's a feature).

In order to move aging product and take advantage of late adopters whose primary concern is price over all else, as well as advancements in manufacturing, it's a common practice to put out a new version of its old products, especially video game consoles (which are half the size, fix any technical issues that arose with the original design, and costs half as much to manufacture as the original) three to five years after launch.

* Sega's first multi-game console, the SG1000, received a facelift that replaced the hardwired joystick controller with a Famicom-style one.

* Creator/{{Nintendo}} is well known for their console redesigns. It possibly invented the practice in its modern form with its late-life redesign of the {{SNES}}, and raised it to an art form with the GameBoy (GameBoyPocket, Game Boy Light [Japan], GameBoyColor), the GameBoyAdvance (GBA SP, GBA Micro), and the NintendoDS (DS Lite, [=DSi=]) -- not to mention the conversion of the NES from a toaster to a console with Dogbone controllers.

** Consoles were often more upgradable and PC-like in the '80s. An example of this was Sega's earlier Master System, which was really just the latest iteration of their first multi-game console, the SG-1000.
*** And the [[SegaMasterSystem Master System]] itself had three versions, similar to the NES. The first two were ordinary consoles; the third was portable, retitled Game Gear, and it coexisted with the Genesis as a DaddySystem.
*** Cartridge ports were in most cases a direct connection to the console's main bus, not unlike various [=PCs=] expansion slots, and were widely used as such. Aforementioned Master System was in fact a major inspiration for the [[ColecoVision Coleco Adam]] and {{MSX}} home-[=PCs=], the latter of which used its cartridge ports as expansion slots ''by design''.

*** The 3DS has also gone through this, with a bigger version called the 3DS XL.
*** The NintendoWii has been updated to a black version with the Wii Motion Plus integrated into the Wiimotes. Led to a ConsoleWars gag on ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' where Sony say the PlayStation Move [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial is nothing like the Wii]] because it's black, only to be informed that black Wiis exist now. "WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?!"

** In a direct aversion of the trope, [[AllegedCar Lada 2107]], first introduced in 1982, is still produced[[hottip:*:Due to its virtue of being dirt cheap. It is the car's sole redeeming quality, though.]] with essentially ''zero'' external changes, despite quite a few ''internal'' tweaks, like a completely new engine lineup, for example. Ironically, 2107 is itself a restyle of a 1979 Lada 2105, which was a deluxe version of Lada 2101, a Soviet license-built copy of Fiat-124.

* {{Nintendo}} is well known for their console redesigns. It possibly invented the practice in its modern form with its late-life redesign of the {{SNES}}, and raised it to an art form with the GameBoy (GameBoyPocket, Game Boy Light [Japan], GameBoyColor), the GameBoyAdvance (GBA SP, GBA Micro), and the NintendoDS (DS Lite, [=DSi=]) -- not to mention the conversion of the NES from a toaster to a console with Dogbone controllers.

*** A "Family Edition" of the Wii will also be released soon, which is smaller and designed to sit horizontally, but with all GameCube backwards-compatibility removed.
* {{Sony}} released slim versions of the [[{{Playstation}} PlayStation 1]] & [[PlayStation2 2]], with the new version of the Playstation (rechristened [=PSone=]) being so small that, with a portable LCD screen add-on, it makes for a decent portable system.

* {{Nintendo}} is well known for their console redesigns. It possibly invented the practice in its modern form with its late-life redesign of the {{SNES}}, and raised it to an art form with the GameBoy (GameBoyPocket, Game Boy Light [Japan], GameBoyColor), the GameBoyAdvance (GBA SP, GBA Micro), and the NintendoDS (DS Lite, [=DSi=]) -- not to mention the conversion of the NES from a toaster to a console with dog bone controllers.

* {{Nintendo}} is well known for their console redesigns. It possibly invented the practice in its modern form with its late-life redesign of the {{SNES}}, and raised it to an art form with the GameBoy (GameBoyPocket, Game Boy Lite [Japan], GameBoyColor), the GameBoyAdvance (GBA SP, GBA Micro), and the NintendoDS (DS Lite, [=DSi=]) -- not to mention the conversion of the NES from a toaster to a console with dog bone controllers.

*** And the [[SegaMasterSystem Master System]] itself had two versions, similar to the NES.