Nintendo Slims down the Wii

[Jabaxaro]

So I was on my daily routine of checking what is new in the world of console gaming and I end up making my stop at http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk

And since I haven't found a thread regarding this (or even a news post on BT in general) I thought I might as well share this piece of information:

Nintendo will be releasing a slim variation of the Wii before this Christmas.


Personally I am still not particularly sure why this move was necessary with the Wii U supposedly being around 'relatively soon'.

In detail, this means, and I quote from here (http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/29576/new-wii-console-coming-before-christmas/):

According to Nintendo, the console is a streamlined white Wii with a slightly altered configuration, which is designed to sit horizontally rather than vertically.

However, unlike the current Wii, it will no longer play GameCube games and isn't compatible with the controllers.

In addition to the white Wii console and games, the bundle includes a Wii Remote Plus controller and Nunchuk.

Nintendo has also revealed that a number of other value Wii bundles will be announced this autumn.

Quite a shame regarding backwards compatibility, especially GC Controller support. I suppose they 'learned' from Sony?


Well then, there's that, discuss as you please x3

EDIT: Adding the Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/5831667/the-wii-gets-a-redesign) article regarding this.

UPDATE: Apparently not 'slimmer' (http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/29791/new-wii-is-same-size-as-old-wii/) at all <_<

EDIT: Reviewing my stance in this post (http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/forums/showthread.php?297-Nintendo-Slims-down-the-Wii&p=3556&viewfull=1#post3556).

[K7Sniper]

So... a Wii without the main reasons to get a Wii, just so it is about as slim as a laptop...

That doesn't seem too appealing from my point of view...

[Eddie]

Seems like a step backwards, the Wii was already the cheapest of all 3 consoles and seeing how it also served as a gamecube was a pretty sweet deal.

Bad move nintendo.

[lostleader]

Seems like a step backwards, the Wii was already the cheapest of all 3 consoles and seeing how it also served as a gamecube was a pretty sweet deal.

Bad move nintendo.

It might be a good one. But its not like its coming to America yet, only Europe from what I hear, which that in itself is stupid. But really anyone that doesn't have a wii now either doesn't have the necessary funds or are just not interested, and with a price drop, its likely to rope in more people. Spending a 100 dollars on a console isn't hard to sell compared to 150, ya its no gamestopper but it will provide Nintendo with more sales as the wii has been running out of mojo. On top of that, gamecube games are increasingly becoming rarer and rarer so the sell on gamecube games doesn't really work to well nowadays.

[StratRat1956]

I don't understand taking away the GameCube compatibility

[K7Sniper]

I don't understand taking away the GameCube compatibility

Same mentality that Sony had when removing the PS1 and 2 compatibility in the PS3 probably.

Different parts that are either cheaper/smaller to fit into the available size.

[Jabaxaro]

@K7Sniper
Though every type of PS3 still can play PS1 games...


But yeah probably dat cheaper manufacturing will be the reason, still seems a bit odd and unnecessary to me at this point. Can't say the Wii didn't net some nice profits and sales numbers.

[Herbis]

First reaction: WHY DO WE NEED THIS?
I don't see the point in this. Wii U is on it's way, meanwhile Xbox and PS3 is getting cheaper.
Well if it will be like $100, and converting to euros - 70 euros, then I see the appeal, but if it's going to cost the same price as the regular Wii, I have no interest in it.

[tpayne80]

Why take alway the one reason to but a Wii? Dumb move in my mind

[lostleader]

Same mentality that Sony had when removing the PS1 and 2 compatibility in the PS3 probably.

Different parts that are either cheaper/smaller to fit into the available size.

All PS3's CAN PLAY PS1 GAMES. Its the PS2 that requires a certain chip in order to use, thus lack of backwards-compatibility. The Wii actually as a little gamecube in it, thus making cost more. This will make it cheaper.



First reaction: WHY DO WE NEED THIS?
I don't see the point in this. Wii U is on it's way, meanwhile Xbox and PS3 is getting cheaper.
Well if it will be like $100, and converting to euros - 70 euros, then I see the appeal, but if it's going to cost the same price as the regular Wii, I have no interest in it.


See Mirco GBA / 64DD / DSi XL. I don't really understand why Nintendo wants to give a dying console another one, but they do it all the time...Its shocking not to expected it nowadays. The thing I'm surprised about is the color strategy Nintendo usually does. Why no lime green. hot pink, and deep blue wiis? I mean they did that stuff with the 64 why stop there?

[MaaZeus]

WHY!? The whole concept of slim wii is just ridiculous and unnecessary.

First, Wii is already incredibly small, almost toy-like. Making it even smaller and slimmer would only enhance the effect. Second, taking away Gamecube support cuts away over half of the actually good games that are worth playing (in the eyes of hardcore gamers that is). With only Wii games it truly becomes a toy with gimmicky controls, with few gaming gems like SMB Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3 (or all if you find the Metroid Prime Wii-pack).

My mind just blows from this stupidity. What the hell is Nintendo thinking!? ::banghead::

[Jabaxaro]

New information about this, and... seriously now I am grasping this even less.

This (http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/29791/new-wii-is-same-size-as-old-wii/) link over on ONM suggests that the new Wii model, in fact, is NOT smaller than the current one. Making the only 'apparent' difference the fact that it is more meant to be laying on it's side (which mine does anyways) than vertically.

Ooookay?

[MaaZeus]

New information about this, and... seriously now I am grasping this even less.

This (http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/29791/new-wii-is-same-size-as-old-wii/) link over on ONM suggests that the new Wii model, in fact, is NOT smaller than the current one. Making the only 'apparent' difference the fact that it is more meant to be laying on it's side (which mine does anyways) than vertically.

Ooookay?



I... am stunned. ::eyeroll::

The old Wii was already meant to be used either way, horizontally or vertically. FFS it had rubber feet on one side AND on bottom, mine had atleast! This has to be some kind of mix up, it has to be... ::no::

[Jabaxaro]

Alright, after giving it some more thorough thought, I think I can understand this decision after all.

The cutting off backwards-compatibility is obviously a measure to reduce the cost of production, why one would change it so late is still however questionable.
But now... when you think about it... the bridge to the Wii U is not too far off, Nintendo's current Generation is coming to a close, they are persumably trying to focus their efforts on the next one, correct?

What this tells me now, is that the Wii seems to be going out of supply, Nintendo needs to somehow just sustain their presence in the current generation, probably not caring too much of how it performs. After all, the Wii has done very well this generation. And if anything, this move proves the success it has.
So of course, they do a logical step by keeping the costs as low as possible, cutting features while at the same time being present.

All they have to do is change the exterior a little bit (horizontal vs vertical) so it 'appears' a bit different.


Gamers will consider this heresy of sorts, in the likes of Sony cutting backwards compatibility (probably because the PS3 was too expensive in any regard). But let's be honest here, those that care about backwards compatibility already have a Wii for this reason, won't be purchasing the new model, which wasn't Nintendo's intention anyhow.

[Austincovello]

My theory? The redesign is--and always has been--a marketing ploy to keep a fading system relevant in the twilight of its generation. This isn't the first time Nintendo has redesigned a system late in the game (NES Mark II, anyone?), nor are they the first company to do this (think Atari's remodeled 2600 which propelled its sales all the way into the '90s). Then there was the Sony redesign of the PS1. It's their way of keeping a gullible gamer busy buying hardware that might normally go into buying games.

[pariah]

Moved from general gaming. No idea why i didn't realize this before.::eyeroll::

[lostleader]

Moved from general gaming. No idea why i didn't realize this before.::eyeroll::
I consider more so news than Nintendo stuff...not to mention a lot of other topics require such treatment. but I digress.


My theory? The redesign is--and always has been--a marketing ploy to keep a fading system relevant in the twilight of its generation. This isn't the first time Nintendo has redesigned a system late in the game (NES Mark II, anyone?), nor are they the first company to do this (think Atari's remodeled 2600 which propelled its sales all the way into the '90s). Then there was the Sony redesign of the PS1. It's their way of keeping a gullible gamer busy buying hardware that might normally go into buying games.

Bingo. Nintendo has a tendency to do such a thing just to help boost a slump, or give the system a last hooray of sorts. Obviously the biggest selling point will the be the actual price it sells for, but it's still getting me that they aren't pulling their color strategy. They did that with the colored game boys, the colored game boy colors, the N64, even the gamecube had a silverish thing going on. I mean wii only gets black and white?_? And usually when Nintendo moves something out, they give something in return.

The GBA mirco, while it couldn't play GB/C games, was the smallest handheld out there making traveling with it a breeze. It was smaller than a wallet or a phone so it wasn't hard to carry either. As well it had template changes. The DSi made new Download service as well. So it is really getting me thinking. That perhaps this will have a lot more memory than normal wii's do, considering it's the same size and all.

[K7Sniper]

The conventional difference between the Slim Wii and the GB Micro is that while the micro can fit in a pocket, the slim will probably have a hard time fitting in your pants

[TheDeviot]

Honestly, I read this on Gaf the other day. It's sad they took out the GCN card reader, and controller jacks but honestly this isn't a move for us. Nintendo has always taken a page from Atari, and rereleased it's system in a "Junior" version that is gimped for less money, to attract late adopters.
Ie:

NES Jr. - Went top loader, removed expansion bay, removed RCA jacks forcing end user to use RF switch.

SNES Jr. - Removed expansion bay, 86ed S-Video, 86ed Eject button, 86ed Power light indicator.

N64 - Didn't have a Jr. redesign, but did gimp the S-video output in late in life models.

Gamecube - Didn't have a Jr. redesign, but did 86 the component video output entirely effectively removing 480p.

Wii Jr. - Removing GCN card ports, and controller jacks. Changing to less expensive DVD drive.

In all of these cases these weren't made for the previous gens' fans. They were made for the lower income family that could not afford the next gen solution. So in Wii Jr.'s case it's likely people buying it will not have had a console at all.
These aren't going to be people going "I have to have it play GCN games". They're going to be the people who go "Wow $99? This might be the Xmas I can finally afford to get my kids a game system.
The few who might know about the GCN stuff getting gutted would still be able to find used/unsold original run Wiis for around the same. I'd find it hard to believe most retailers would refuse to discount old stock to get rid of it.

So IMHO it sucks, but it makes sense for late adoption business.
Personally I would just tell friends, and relatives looking at one after the inevitable ads to grab a discounted original Wii for the same money to get the chance to run GC games on it too often for cheap.

[K7Sniper]

N64 - Didn't have a Jr. redesign, but did gimp the S-video output in late in life models.



Remember the N64 DD? That was an interesting concept.

Also, your point on this being made for lower income families... the Wii was already very very affordable... and with the lower price that the "old" Wii will be going for after this one is released, why would you buy the Slim anyway?

[TheDeviot]

Remember the N64 DD? That was an interesting concept.

Also, your point on this being made for lower income families... the Wii was already very very affordable... and with the lower price that the "old" Wii will be going for after this one is released, why would you buy the Slim anyway?

Well $249 was still too high for some folks, $199-$149 was better. But there are always those in any console lifecycle who are uber price concious that buy at the very end. So yes, there will be some that will be wooed @ $99, and think "Finally. I can pull the trigger" Especially in a seemingly perpetual 10%+ unemployment environment. I also don't see Microsoft or Sony putting out a $99 sku any time soon. As to your next counterpoint, the Slim/Jr./Whatever you want to call it will really pick up when all of the discounted originals are bought up. When hardware revisions or running changes to products happen, most retailers tend to push out the older packages before putting out the newer packages. So for the first month of being out (Except at maybe Gamestop since they sell used) yes, people will buy the old version. But once those are depleted the slim will be the ONLY option unless someone buys used. Again the customer base going for it probably won't know or care about the GCN BC being 86ed. They'll only care "I can play Mario Galaxy on the cheap."