![Nintendo of Europe launching redesigned Wii, loses Gamecube support [Updated]](https://d1lss44hh2trtw.cloudfront.net/resize?type=webp&url=0&width=1032&sign=hjPf1YK82dV-QT8oL3v_lLzC62zix4hvLjTqBJFhHgY "Nintendo of Europe launching redesigned Wii, loses Gamecube support [Updated]")
Nintendo of Europe launching redesigned Wii, loses Gamecube support [Updated]
Nintendo is introducing a reconfigured Wii, meant to sit horizontally and reportedly lacking GameCube compatibility. It's set to hit stores in Europe this fall.
[Update] Nintendo of America has told Shacknews it does not currently have any plans to bring the revised Wii model to market in North America:
Nintendo of America does not currently have any plans to release the Wii bundle that was announced by Nintendo of Europe on Aug. 17. Consumers in the United States can currently purchase a Wii console bundled with the Mario Kart Wii game and Wii Wheel accessory for a suggested retail price of $149.99. The Wii Party game is available separately for a suggested retail price of $39.99.The Wii hardware currently available at stores in North America is able to play Nintendo GameCube discs. We do not have any announcements to make about future hardware configurations.
[Original Story] Nintendo is introducing a redesigned Wii console this holiday season, with a few notable changes and a new bundle. Nintendo of Europe announced the streamlined system this morning, which is set to launch this October. The bundle includes Wii Party, the original Wii Sports, and a Wii Remote Plus with nunchuck.
The smaller console is designed to sit horizontally, rather than the vertical configuration of the current Wii. Nintendo also casually mentioned that the new Wii configuration is no longer backwards compatible with GameCube games. Other bundles are said to be coming for the holiday season.
Eurogamer reports that a Nintendo representative confirmed the old model is being discontinued and replaced. If you want an old-school Wii, now is probably the time to grab one.
Shacknews has contacted Nintendo of America to confirm North American release details.
-
Shacknews
replySteve Watts posted a new article, Nintendo launching redesigned Wii, loses Gamecube support.
Nintendo is introducing a reconfigured Wii, meant to sit horizontally and reportedly lacking GameCube compatibility. It's set to hit stores this fall.-
-
A Wii with no Gamecube support? Fuck. That.
Unless its slightly better streaming things over the internet, or slightly faster performance wise in general, no reason. At least Microsoft and Sony gave meaning to their change in models.-
Sony did the same damn thing.
-
well, the slim ps3 uses less power....and it could have been placebo but ive noticed less slowdowns
-
It's just going to be cheaper I think.
-
-
[deleted]
-
Yeah, the current Wii is already "configured" to sit horizontally or vertically. Maybe the story means they eliminated the vertical stand?
-
I believe this is what they're trying to get at but doing a poor job of.
-
-
-
I'm so glad I have a gamecube-compatable wii along with my PS2-able PS3, but.... I really barely use them. I play my Japan region PS2 more than i play regular ps2 on ps3 and I haven't touched the gamecube ports for months.
-
Doesn't it seem like it's a little late to do a complete redesign of the wii? I know it's 6 years old now but the wiiu is just around the corner and everyone already owns a wii. I don't know anyone that would upgrade either.
-
-
the photo in the post makes it seem like nintendo is not doing anything with the wii and just launching it with a picture of the wii horizontal
-
Without GC support you wouldn't have that big ole' panel on the top with the for GC controller ports and the memory card slots I imagine. There was a lot of crap crammed in there up top.
-
Yup, it'll be a sleeker system that will probably be confused with the Wii U for unfortunate souls once the time comes next year.
-
-
-
The New Wii with 70% more dust gathering potential!
-
-
[deleted]
-
^this, they're losing sales all over the place, and they're not releasing anything of note that I can think of next year before the Wii U launches. This is a last ditch cash grab and preparing the marketplace for a low-end/high-end Nintendo dichotomy.
-
-
-
I dont think the size of the wii was an issue to begin with.
-
I don't think it's going to be any smaller, it's simply not going to have the flap on one side with all the GC ports, I wonder if it'll still be able to start GC games even if it can't play them?
-
[deleted]
-
You're probably right.
-
-
-
-
