New Wii slim for UK for xmas, drops GameCube BC

[exar333]

true, but it can still be slimmer

remove the GameCube stuff and shrink down the internal components and you go from fullsize disc drive thickness to half-height

considering the original system is already below 20W, I'm pretty sure getting rid of the fan on an updated design wouldn't be too difficult

They would probably save more $ by just making the huge Wii box more compact and eliminating waste.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

They would probably save more $ by just making the huge Wii box more compact and eliminating waste.

not so sure the cardboard or whatever is used in the boxing amounts to nearly as much as the hardware involved

however I imagine a slimmed product would also receive a slimmed boxing

 

[DaveSimmons]

Update 10-17 from Engadget:

It's coming to the US too. No GameCube BC and NO PRICE CUT. Boo, hiss!

http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/16/gamecube-free-wii-refresh-heads-to-north-america-competes-with/

"Usually when a hardware refresh axes a major feature, it gets a comparable price drop. Not for Nintendo's waggle star, however -- the gamecube-free Wii refresh we've seen advertised for Europe is heading to North America for the same price as its backwards-compatible kin. $150 will get you a black console designed to lay on its side and streamlined to play only Wii software, a Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack and a copy of New Super Mario Bros. Wii. All well and good, except that Nintendo's press release (which you'll find after the break) also promises that the existing Wii bundle will stick around, packing Mario Kart Wii, a Wii Wheel, backwards compatibility for Gamecube games and the very same $150 price tag as the downgraded redesign. Mark your Christmas wishlists carefully folks, this one's a doozy. "

 

[AstroManLuca]

But how long will they keep making the old Wii design? If the goal is to reduce costs then they may have already stopped making them and now they're just selling old stock. Once the old Wii does run out I bet used prices skyrocket as people try to snap up ones with BC.

In a way this could lead to very good sales for the old Wii since people might try to buy one now while they still can. Even I'm thinking about it. I probably won't but I would definitely not pick up a Wii without BC; I don't think the Wii library is good enough to stand on its own.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Yeah I'm pondering getting a bigger wii while I can, since I didn't own a GameCube.

Why pay good money for a smaller wii that's less potent?

 

[Sonikku]

Wow. And Walmart can't get rid of the things at their own $135 price point.

Way to go Nintendo.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Why would they do this now when the new Wii will be coming out next year?

Probably same reason why apple released the ipad2 knowing ipad3 will be out less than a year most likely.

Squeezing out as much cash as they can before the next big generation.

 

[dpodblood]

I'm not really understanding the point of this product. It's just a slimmed down version of an already slim enough product, with less features, at the same price point. What would be the motivation for the consumer to buy this product when they can get the better old version for the same or less money. Nintendo should have just slapped together a holiday bundle and called it a day.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I'm not really understanding the point of this product. It's just a slimmed down version of an already slim enough product, with less features, at the same price point. What would be the motivation for the consumer to buy this product when they can get the better old version for the same or less money. Nintendo should have just slapped together a holiday bundle and called it a day.

Oh they'll do that too. haha

 

[AstroManLuca]

I'm not really understanding the point of this product. It's just a slimmed down version of an already slim enough product, with less features, at the same price point. What would be the motivation for the consumer to buy this product when they can get the better old version for the same or less money. Nintendo should have just slapped together a holiday bundle and called it a day.

I don't think most potential Wii buyers are even aware that they'd be missing out on anything. That's probably what Nintendo is counting on - people will buy it because it's new and shiny, and they will save money by stripping out features that most people wouldn't notice anyway.

Sort of like how Nintendo removed the component output port from the GameCube. They're always finding ways to screw over their customers.

 

[gorcorps]

I'll probably buy a Wii fairly soon then. Get my use out of it then sell it used when they all dry up. Might at least break even on it if I wait long enough.

 

[Anarchist420]

I don't think most potential Wii buyers are even aware that they'd be missing out on anything. That's probably what Nintendo is counting on - people will buy it because it's new and shiny, and they will save money by stripping out features that most people wouldn't notice anyway.

Sort of like how Nintendo removed the component output port from the GameCube. They're always finding ways to screw over their customers.

That's exaclty why I try not to buy Nintendo stuff and I have a lot of fun with the Dolphin emulator. Sure a lot of companies screw their customers, but Nintendo has done it to everyone realy, ever since their inception. If their competitors can sell their hardware at a loss AND charge lower royalty fees, but Nintendo doesn't, then I'll just use their IP as much as I can without paying them (I'd gladly reward creativity on my own). In addition to that they own their 3rd parties' IP (so they make most of the money off of 3rd party VC downloads), overcharged them to make games on their hardware, forced them to censor, and withheld ROM chips during the holidays. Then they lied about why they changed the name of the Ultra 64. Sega wasn't perfect to their 3rd parties either, but they were a LOT better than Nintendo was to them. The worst things I can think of that sega did was when they used shitty video encoders in the genesis 2 models, and they took away the good sound circuitry quality with the TMSS genesis 1s.

 

[astrosfan315]

I haven't even turned my wii on in over a year.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I haven't even turned my wii on in over a year.

Sorry to hear about your ED bro.

 

[dpodblood]

I haven't even turned my wii on in over a year.

I still play Raving Rabbids 2 every once and a while!

 

[SonicIce]

Sorry to hear about your ED bro.

never gets old

 

[DaveSimmons]

FYI, Target is advertising the new, less-potent and smaller Wii in today's Sunday paper, so if you want a bigger, better Wii you need to act fast.

 

[mmntech]

Probably same reason why apple released the ipad2 knowing ipad3 will be out less than a year most likely.

Squeezing out as much cash as they can before the next big generation.

Apple has an annual launch cycle, as does PC gaming hardware. Console makers don't.

I originally wanted a Wii way back in 2006. Even at $150, I still can't justify one. My 3DS barely gets used as is.

 

[ViRGE]

Update 10-17 from Engadget:

It's coming to the US too. No GameCube BC and NO PRICE CUT. Boo, hiss!

http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/16/gamecube-free-wii-refresh-heads-to-north-america-competes-with/

"Usually when a hardware refresh axes a major feature, it gets a comparable price drop. Not for Nintendo's waggle star, however -- the gamecube-free Wii refresh we've seen advertised for Europe is heading to North America for the same price as its backwards-compatible kin. $150 will get you a black console designed to lay on its side and streamlined to play only Wii software, a Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack and a copy of New Super Mario Bros. Wii. All well and good, except that Nintendo's press release (which you'll find after the break) also promises that the existing Wii bundle will stick around, packing Mario Kart Wii, a Wii Wheel, backwards compatibility for Gamecube games and the very same $150 price tag as the downgraded redesign. Mark your Christmas wishlists carefully folks, this one's a doozy. "

This is not surprising in light of Nintendo's latest quarter. The strong Yen is killing them; they need to reduce costs and maintain their ASPs just to offset the currency difference.

In any case I doubt many people will notice. At this point who outside of hardcore gamers trying to snag a cheap Wii are buying it for GC compatibility?

 

[gorcorps]

FYI, Target is advertising the new, less-potent and smaller Wii in today's Sunday paper, so if you want a bigger, better Wii you need to act fast.

I know in my heart I'll barely touch it, even if I hacked it and was able to back up every game I had to HDD... but for some reason I want one just because it's leaving and may be worth a little bit some day.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I know in my heart I'll barely touch it, even if I hacked it and was able to back up every game I had to HDD... but for some reason I want one just because it's leaving and may be worth a little bit some day.

Yeah, I've been looking through the Wii games at Amazon, trying to make a list of ones I'd want to play despite the low-res graphics. So far . . . raving rabbids looks cute, and there are a couple of JRPGs.

 

[Ross Ridge]

Yeah, I've been looking through the Wii games at Amazon, trying to make a list of ones I'd want to play despite the low-res graphics. So far . . . raving rabbids looks cute, and there are a couple of JRPGs.

The Raving Rabbids games probably skew a bit young for you, but they're good family party games (hordes of crappy party games on the Wii, beware), and fun to play with the kids.

Not a lot of straight JRPGs on the Wii. Arc Rise Fantasia and Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World are all that I can think of off hand.

 

[ViRGE]

Yeah, I've been looking through the Wii games at Amazon, trying to make a list of ones I'd want to play despite the low-res graphics. So far . . . raving rabbids looks cute, and there are a couple of JRPGs.

If it's not already on your list, make sure you have Super Mario Galaxy (1 and 2) on your list. They are hands down the best platformers I've played in years.