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Wii Mini: Exclusive to Canada | Dec 7th @ $99.99 (No internet, no GC support)

Linkup

Member
Such a retro look. Missed chance to use some gray or white in the color scheme or how about gray and purple since it's NA.
 
And teens/adults without the money or just have never picked up a Wii.
The Wii mote and Nunchuck make it fantastic value.

The Wii has regularly been 129 all year long and with sales can definitely be found for cheaper. Are you saying there is a huge market of people that missed all of that and 20 bucks is hugely important to them? I don't see how on any level this is a fantastic value. All this seems to do is introduce a very slightly cheaper Wii on to the market that will only serve to confuse people more.
 

Midou

Member
Would have thought it at least had built-in ethernet if not wi-fi, adding that would have been super cheap.
 

Somnid

Member
Pretty sure that Canada doesn't care as much about VOD services, what little they have. I also don't see lack of online as any dealbreaker this late in. You lose VC which is the biggest thing. Wiiware isn't a huge deal, channels less so and most of the online communities are probably done for anyway.

This definitely seems like a market test. I bet the hardware if decently successful is designed to start hitting price points in the sub $100 range over a couple years. I could see a wider release for a $50 Wii Mini next year.

Really what they are looking for here is for people to pick up some software with no hardware barriers.
 

PaulLFC

Member
Wii
Wii Mini
Wii U

I can see that being confusing for at least some potential customers. We've already heard reports of some people thinking the Wii U is just a Wii with a tablet or a new controller...
 

Kazerei

Banned
Isn't there like "Canadian tax" at some point, since the Wii launched at $279 here where it was $249 in the US?

So it's possible this would be $79 in the US? But then again, the Wii U and 3DS share the same prices in both so...

MSRPs were higher in Canada back when the Canadian dollar was much lower than the American dollar. But now we're at parity, so it would still be $99 if/when it hits the U.S.
 

Ushojax

Should probably not trust the 7-11 security cameras quite so much
But at least you could transfer purchases onto it via a usb cable.

And I would imagine that 0.00000000000001% of people who bought it actually did that.

This revision is designed for children who don't want to do any more than play Mario, Skylanders and LEGO Harry Potter.

Yeah they do. Thats why you can buy a Wii on ebay for 50 bucks.

But they don't. People who want a proper Wii will buy a proper one, people who want a cheap Christmas gift for their kids will buy this.
 

Tim-E

Member
We are not the target audience for this. Calm down, people. This is for people who want to buy their kids some cheap video games who literally do not care about connecting it to the internet. The target audience for this doesn't even know the original Wii connected to the internet.

In regard to people whining about brand confusion; Nintendo is still obviously making money off of the Wii and DS, and they likely will continue to sell them for as long as it makes them money. They are a business. I know it kills Real Gamers that a company doesn't cater to their every need and desire, but by now people who follow this company should learn that Nintendo does just fine doing whatever they want instead of bending over to Real Gamers trying to mimic what Sony or Microsoft is doing or will be doing.
 
Pretty sure that Canada doesn't care as much about VOD services, what little they have. I also don't see lack of online as any dealbreaker this late in. You lose VC which is the biggest thing. Wiiware isn't a huge deal, channels less so and most of the online communities are probably done for anyway.

This definitely seems like a market test. I bet the hardware if decently successful is designed to start hitting price points in the sub $100 range over a couple years. I could see a wider release for a $50 Wii Mini next year.

Really what they are looking for here is for people to pick up some software with no hardware barriers.

I wouldn't be surprised if this redesign actually CUTS OUT the Wii menu. That's right, just plop the disc in, turn it on, a splash screen appears, and then it boots right to the game. No middleman.
 
Calm down dude, no need for that.

What I meant is that it doesn't appear to be targeted towards dedicated gamers such as yourself and I. I would say it's targeted more towards a younger demographic given the design and it's more focused on being a very affordable gift during the holiday period.

Kids are gamers as well. Sorry if I got a bit over-annoyed and insulty.
The wording does annoy me though; just sounded like you meant anyone not going into online isn't a gamer.

Truth is a lot of people won't care that much. Wii is hardly a centre of online gaming.
This is for a different target audience; but its still people who play and enjoy games.

Your right its not targeted at 'us'; the Wii U is there for that.
But for more casual gamers its great. If I didn't have a Wii I'd pick this up and Skyward Sword.

Personally I think it all sounds decent. Not a media box no; but Wii+Online to me is just not that system at all.

The Wii has regularly been 129 all year long and with sales can definitely be found for cheaper. Are you saying there is a huge market of people that missed all of that and 20 bucks is hugely important to them? I don't see how on any level this is a fantastic value. All this seems to do is introduce a very slightly cheaper Wii on to the market that will only serve to confuse people more.

Customers are used to cheaper versions of products; this won't do that. If your buying the product casually as in 'oh I'll pick that up' $20 is quite significant and likely that price is designed to drop with time too.

Nintendo needs to market the power jump in Wii U; same with 3DS - they do this in Japan but the West they seem not to.
If they do that customers will understand right away. They understand how tech changes work. Nintendo just isn't showing it enough.
 

DrForester

Kills Photobucket
So many pages, and hopefully the Internet thing is debunked. Netflix has been so popular for Nintendo, why would they get rid of it.

System is beautiful.
 

Somnid

Member
I wouldn't be surprised if this redesign actually CUT OUT the Wii menu. That's right, just plop the disc in, turn it on, a splash screen appears, and then it boots right to the game.

Well I think they'll keep Miis around but yeah the rest is superfluous without online.
 

Row

Banned
that has to be one of the ugliest console designs I've ever seen, looks like one of those little pizza hut boxes
 

BearPawB

Banned
Hell...You can get a used wii for $65 bucks on Amazon.

If you are strapped for cash you buy used, not new. Trust me, I know. This will be an obscure collectors piece in no time.
 

Michan

Member
Isn't there like "Canadian tax" at some point, since the Wii launched at $279 here where it was $249 in the US?

So it's possible this would be $79 in the US? But then again, the Wii U and 3DS share the same prices in both so...

USD and CAD have been at par for a while. If this were to launch in the US, it'd be priced the same.
 

Huff

Banned
Hey kids enjoy Mario kart! Too bad you can only play by yourself.

What you want to play online? Shut up, your a kid. What do you know
 
So many pages, and hopefully the Internet thing is debunked. Netflix has been so popular for Nintendo, why would they get rid of it.

System is beautiful.

http://www.nintendo.com/wiimini/what-is-wii-mini/

At the very bottom:

The Wii mini console does not connect to the Internet and does not support online features in games. Compatible with Wii software and accessories. Internet connectivity features are not available. The Wii mini console is not compatible with Nintendo GameCube Game Discs or accessories. Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. © 2012 Nintendo

It's official.
 

Kazerei

Banned
Pretty sure that Canada doesn't care as much about VOD services, what little they have. I also don't see lack of online as any dealbreaker this late in. You lose VC which is the biggest thing. Wiiware isn't a huge deal, channels less so and most of the online communities are probably done for anyway.

This definitely seems like a market test. I bet the hardware if decently successful is designed to start hitting price points in the sub $100 range over a couple years. I could see a wider release for a $50 Wii Mini next year.

Really what they are looking for here is for people to pick up some software with no hardware barriers.

Needs to be emphasized. Many people have pointed out Netflix, but Netflix Canada sucks ass :(
 
The Wii has regularly been 129 all year long and with sales can definitely be found for cheaper. Are you saying there is a huge market of people that missed all of that and 20 bucks is hugely important to them? I don't see how on any level this is a fantastic value.

It will be 99 dollars for a short time, while collectors pick them up. I am sure it wil get even cheaper before next christmas, thats why they removed wifi.
 

lowrider007

Licorice-flavoured booze?
If this had internet I really think this would of been a good move from Nintendo and a chance to separate the wii from the wii-u in the market place, they look too similar atm, I love the look of the mini and would of picked one up if it had wi-fi.
 
On one hand, NoA probably made the right decision not pushing this out in America this holiday season, the way it is.

On the other hand, it's yet another new thing NoA isn't releasing in America.
 

Ushojax

Should probably not trust the 7-11 security cameras quite so much
Hell...You can get a used wii for $65 bucks on Amazon.

If you are strapped for cash you buy used, not new. Trust me, I know. This will be an obscure collectors piece in no time.

It's literally designed as a Holiday gift for kids. It's a cute little box that plays Mario. It comes in a neat package and makes a good present. That's all it is.
 

Zzoram

Member
Doesn't make sense at this price.

The Wii + Mario bundle is $149.99 and has internet, GC, and a game for just $50 more.

If this $99.99 bundle at least included Wii Sports and WiFi for patching it would make sense, but not when it has no game or WiFi.
 

Aru

Member
So it's a new trend to redesign a console and remove internet capabilites ? After the PSP Street, here comes the Wii Mini with no Wifi.
Well, I barely used Wifi on my Wii, but without it I wouldn't have been able to buy VC games.
 

OctoWara289

Neo Member
It LOOKS interesting. I'm not sure if I like it because it looks retro or if I hate it because it looks cheap. In either case, it's not for me. I already have a Wii and a Wii U. However, I don't see how this is going to be compelling enough for people that never bought one... no backwards compatibility with Gamecube games, no internet, etc. So I'm assuming there's no eshop and there's also no storage space... Umm... okay. Spend 50 dollars more and get Wii Phat with backwards compatibility, internet, eshop, a bit of storage space, and 2 free games. I don't know... This is just stupid. As long as it's silent and they don't start putting commercials and banners out for it, then it shouldn't be much of a threat or confusion, although I'm sure it still will be... Oh, Nintendo.
 
Can anybody explain to me why does Nintendo do this after they launched the Wii U?

Is Wii U not yet available in Canada?

Every $100 spend on Wii Mini is $100 spend less on Wii U - it makes ZERO sense to me.
 
Seems like it would have been smarter to have internet and no disc drive. Lots of storage.

Storage adds to the price quite a bit.
Plus this will be aimed at households likely on the slowest internet connections.
Where the internet is more a necessity.

Every $100 spend on Wii Mini is $100 spend less on Wii U - it makes ZERO sense to me.

Aimed at people that wouldn't have bought a Wii U anyway. They'd buy the cheaper other consoles.
Nintendo gains $100 they wouldn't have got anyway.
 

Tim-E

Member
Seems like it would have been smarter to have internet and no disc drive. Lots of storage.


What on earth are they going to fill it with? All those digitally released retail Wii games? This is targeting parents who want something cheap for their kids. Their kids don't care about virtual console games that were released 20 years before they were born.
 

nickcv

Member
So no wifi means no virtual console,wiiware, or any internet associated channels. No online a la mario cart. Also, I'm assuming it has no sd card slot.

Essentially a dvd player that only plays games and not dvds. Amazing.

exactly, i think people used to call those devices "game consoles"
 

Alebrije

Member
Looks like a model for a third world country. It could sell better in México or Brasil since most of the preople do not have internet
 
Can anybody explain to me why does Nintendo do this after they launched the Wii U?

Is Wii U not yet available in Canada?

Every $100 spend on Wii Mini is $100 spend less on Wii U - it makes ZERO sense to me.

Because the Wii is successful. They similarly redesigned the NES and SNES after their successors came out.
 

Ushojax

Should probably not trust the 7-11 security cameras quite so much
Doesn't make sense at this price.

The Wii + Mario bundle is $149.99 and has internet, GC, and a game for just $50 more.

If this $99.99 bundle at least included Wii Sports and WiFi for patching it would make sense, but not when it has no game or WiFi.

It is for young children. The kind that don't understand what the Wii Shop Channel is or how to use it. They put the LEGO Harry Potter disc in and play. That's all they want to do and that's all this console does.

Not if they can get a "Proper" Wii for $50 less.

Some might. Some might just want a cute little Christmas present and that's what this is.
 
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