Introducing the Wii Mini

http://www.destructoid.com/-99-99-wii-mini-revealed-239382.phtml

No Game Cube compatibility, no Internet functionality. $99, only for Canadians.

Huh.

Well, I guess if you really want one for cheap.

But some games are gonna be kinda pointless without online functionality. Monster Hunter Tri in particular loses more than half of the content.

The Wii didn't have online functionality in the first place.

That looks pretty nice.

Weird move. Only in Canada?

A Mini Wii without online capabilities only sold in Canada...

...Huh.

edited 27th Nov '12 8:39:33 AM by Elbruno

While I'm wondering why Nintendo thought this device was a good idea, what really puzzles me is why Canada (eh?). Is there something special up there that I've missed that's relevant to this device?

I might actually consider buying this if I were in Canada. It's cheap and easy on the eyes, reminds me of Starburst candies/Fisher Price toys. I'm a single-player/hotseat multiplayer guy, so I don't need the internet.

The only big, big flaw I see with this is the lack of backward compatibility, but if it's anything like the Wii, homebrew emulators will probably work on it anyway. Given time, somebody will find a way to play Gamecube games on it.

The look of that thing reminds me of the Virtual Boy.

edited 27th Nov '12 9:25:21 AM by MrYoshbert

Canada gets some pretty awesome stuff from Nintendo actually. Nintendo Canada is a lot more active than regional spinoff companies usually are. I remember we ended up getting a bunch of custom DS skins and colors thanks to them.

They are and have done stuff like that? I always thought NoC was a myth told among young gamers to get their hopes up that they might actually might get exclusive stuff.

But I got an email about it this morning, it looks like it would make a nice gift for someone who plays mostly single-player games. The lack of backwards compatibility is kind of sad but eh, the cheaper price makes up for it.

edited 27th Nov '12 9:51:37 AM by ElecRei

...I think this may be the most pretty looking version of the Wii on the market. I won't get it, because I don't live in Canada and like Wii Ware games, but still. It's an aesthetically pleasing console, which is more than can be said for the PS 3 and 360. Or normal Wii. Or Wii U.

...I kinda don't get why it doesn't have Online functionality. I understand the Gamecube hardware would take up space and cost money, but the online functionality seems like it would be pretty basic. Connect to internet, receive updates, access Netflix, access Nintendo Shop, access Nintendo video. That shouldn't cost anything or take any space in terms of hardware. Maybe in terms of software.

...I mean, there are sytems like the PSPGO and most smartphones, which were online only specifically because online based hardware was smaller and cheaper than physical media. This seems to be the exact opposite. Weird.

I'm not sure about the specs but I'd guess the online features would've raised the price a bit.

...But why? The hardware that would be required for online functionality would be miniscule compared to that required to basic Wii functionality. The price wouldn't have to be that much higher, if anything.

The only thing I could see is that they couldn't afford the extra hard disk space. Which doesn't make sense either because the base Wii only has about 500 Megabytes.

Does this thing have an SD card slot? It's not actually necessary for Online games, but it usually helps.

edited 27th Nov '12 9:59:51 AM by unnoun

Like I said, I'd guess. I'm not too sure why but maybe as a trade-off? If they let you have the online functionality it'd just be a cheaper version of the current Wii which doesn't have GCN compatibility.

Hey, look on the bright side. Anyone who buys this won't have to worry about friend codes.

No internet killed it.

Besides, a Wii U works fine as a replacement Wii, as long as one keeps a Gamecube around for its games.

edited 27th Nov '12 11:43:31 AM by burnpsy

My Game Cube is broken, and I told my Dad I'd let him have my Wii for Wii Fit.

Though I don't actually play any of my Game Cube games anyway. Not since I finally beat Spiderman 2 the movie game.

Yes. I'm that far behind. Sue me.

Even if you really wanted a replacement Game Cube, it would be a joke to obtain for cheap at a flea market or something.

edited 27th Nov '12 3:20:01 PM by burnpsy

Good point.

Is the full Wii all that expensive now, anyway? I mean, without looking up prices I'd think that you could get a used Wii dirt cheap now, if nothing else from people upgrading to a Wii U and wanting to sell off the now-redundant console. (Yeah, no GC compatibility for the WU, but for a lot of people that's not necessarily a game-breaker.)

I kinda want one.

It looks nice.

SUCK IT, WORLD!

I might actually pick this up, so I can bring Brawl and a couple of other Wii games with me when I turn ten-years oldleave for out of town university. Plus, it so pwetty.

Oh and odds are it might become a collector's item down the line, what with Canada-exclusivity and all that jazz.

Why have a Wii if you can't even indulge in their VC and (albeit small) Wiiware library?

Hmm, they did a little thing on this on CBC. Canada is apparently a good test market because it's basically a smaller US, culturally.