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Rumor: Wii mini console redesign
- Thread starter TunaLover
- Start date
- Status
DonMigs85
Member
I think it was pretty much impossible. In GameCube mode the Wii becomes exactly like the old hardware and can't make use of any of the Wii-specific components.
KojiKnight
Member
Nintendo could have put more work into BC so that GC games could have run with some Wii enhancements (including using Wii controllers).
Instead they left that up to homebrew developers (see Devolution which literally is just GCN games running in Wii mode, they are in the process of writing drivers to use Wii motes/classic controllers).
Hell, even DIOS MIOS (which runs in a slightly modified GCN mode) allows for Gamecube memory card emulation (fake memory cards saved to SD). Though the authors of DIOS MIOS made it clear they couldn't write wiimote/addon drivers in their implementation since there isn't enough ram in GCN mode.
TheFLYINGManga_Ka
Member
Like the hat?
Banned
Hope they call it wee wii
Bending_Unit_22
Member
I don't know, I'm not a fan of surprises from Japan that hit on December 7th.
KojiKnight
Member
I see what you did there.
chertipros
Member
Can you explain please?
MasterSheen
Member
How much smaller could they make it? 
DeaconKnowledge
Member
Time for Nintendo to assail the low cost console option market. Should squeeze at least another 15 million out of it worldwide.
shira
Member
the power of the wii in the palm of my hand. . .
FreeMufasa
Junior Member
Ppl gonna think Wii is next gen and WiiU is Wii :lol. Coz WiiU looks so much like old Wii and this one will look different hopefilly
Eventually the Wii will just be the sensor bar. Digital only.
Aquamarine
Member
NES - 1983 JP / 1985 US
SNES - 1990 JP / 1991 US
NES-101 (Redesign of the NES while the SNES was already out) - 1993
N64 - 1996 JP / 1996 US
SNS-101 / Super Famicom Jr. (Redesign of the SNES while the N64 was already out) - 1998 JP / 1997 US
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Wii - 2006 JP / 2006 US
Wii U - 2012 JP / 2012 US
Wii Redesign (Redesign of the Wii while the Wii U was already out) - 2013
I REALLY don't see what the big deal is, here. Nintendo redesigned both the NES and the SNES when their successor was already out. The Wii was more successful than the NES and the SNES sales-wise, so it's only natural it would receive a legitimate redesign as well.
SNES - 1990 JP / 1991 US
NES-101 (Redesign of the NES while the SNES was already out) - 1993
N64 - 1996 JP / 1996 US
SNS-101 / Super Famicom Jr. (Redesign of the SNES while the N64 was already out) - 1998 JP / 1997 US
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Wii - 2006 JP / 2006 US
Wii U - 2012 JP / 2012 US
Wii Redesign (Redesign of the Wii while the Wii U was already out) - 2013
I REALLY don't see what the big deal is, here. Nintendo redesigned both the NES and the SNES when their successor was already out. The Wii was more successful than the NES and the SNES sales-wise, so it's only natural it would receive a legitimate redesign as well.
KojiKnight
Member
Not to mention that Nintendo generally designs their hardware with a lifespan of 5-8 years in mind... a lot of first gen Wii owners may soon be looking into getting new ones and if they can make this supposed redesign profitable day one, it may be enough to convince those that want a new Wii but aren't ready to shell out $300 for the Wii U.
Mushroomer25
Member
Makes sense. Give it a price point under $75, put more Wii games on clearance - it's just Nintendo doing the Sony & PS2 thing.
Nintendo did it before (NES redesign & SNES redesign).
DXB-KNIGHT
Member
Wii U humming bird edition.
Agent X
Member
It would make a great budget system. Even if Nintendo doesn't produce any new games, there are still hundreds of existing titles out in the wild, from Nintendo as well as third-party developers.
The PS2 has served this niche nicely in recent years, but it has largely disappeared from most major US retailers over the last few months. A redesigned Wii would be perfectly poised to take over this segment of the market.
Bending_Unit_22
Member
In that case I don't want to know the process required to get back to a full Wii.
Mushroomer25
Member
Exactly. People don't realize there's a serious market for super budget consoles. The Wii's in the perfect spot to stay on shelves for another 3-4 years.
I heard it's pretty hard.
Except PS2 was still a very desirable platform even after its successor launched. Wii sales have dropped considerably. Nintendo also lacks the global distribution channels that Sony has.
There was a Wii "redesign" last year. It removed Gamecube compatibility and instead of putting the console on a stand it just lays down.
Nintendo have never made a console without some sort of power brick, except for the n64 where the brick plugged directly into the console.
Jake Tower
Banned
3rd pillar c'mon
Is that a Ben Heck?
Digital-Hero
Member
"Introducing the Wii Mini! Coming Dec 7 2012!"
A day of infamy. Well played Japan.... (if true lol)
A day of infamy. Well played Japan.... (if true lol)
Wii Miini and Wii U, 2 different products for the future of nintendo. They can make a regular old wii for peanuts these days and sell the thing en masse for maybe 49.99 , if they can build it for 30 dollars or so , it's basically free money.
This way they can differentiate at retail as well. Use a micro laptop sized dvd drive stacked on top of a tiny motherboard with a cellphone sized wifi/blue tooth antenna , have it run on so little power that it only needs an old school AC adaptor like a snes instead of a small power brick and include only a single SD card slot. OH yeah, and use the cheapest plastics that can be bought to make the case.
I think it could be worth it to milk another 2 years of sales out of the old brand while people transition to the new one. Also could lead to better sales in emerging markets.
This way they can differentiate at retail as well. Use a micro laptop sized dvd drive stacked on top of a tiny motherboard with a cellphone sized wifi/blue tooth antenna , have it run on so little power that it only needs an old school AC adaptor like a snes instead of a small power brick and include only a single SD card slot. OH yeah, and use the cheapest plastics that can be bought to make the case.
I think it could be worth it to milk another 2 years of sales out of the old brand while people transition to the new one. Also could lead to better sales in emerging markets.
ThatsMytrunks
Member
The kids can call it Wiju!
All this, and it still doesn't play DVDs.
The Wii couldn't play DVDs even if Nintendo wanted it to
manueldelalas
Time Traveler
Homebrewed Wiis play DVDs
Homebrewed Wiis don't have to worry about the DVD Forum and the minimum licensing requirements.
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