According to Joystiq, Nintendo are releasing a cheaper version of the Wii in Euroland ready for Xmas. They're removing all Gamecube compatibility, and it's designed to be kept horizontal. I can't see how removing the GC controller/memory ports and not including the stand saves a huge amount of cash, but there you go. Currently the Wii retails for about £129.99, but Amazon have them for £109.99. I predict the new Family Edition pack will be £99.99.
Any small amount of savings is enough for a company to consider for a revision. Even if it's one that isn't advertised, like removing S-video output from the SNES jr. I'm not surprised that so late in the game Nintendo is removing GCN backwards compatibility from the Wii. Aside from the token cost savings to them (which you may or may not support), Nintendo probably took the chance to close up some piracy loopholes, which figures well. Nothing Nintendo is gonna advertise, for sure! I see no issue with this. If you wanted GCN backwards compatibility, you would already have a Wii by now OR get one (*gasp*) used in the future.
I doubt the GC compatibility is much of a selling point by now, and even less if you consider how many people just buy it for Wii Sports/Wii Fit and stuff like that.
It is true on the gc compatibility. Anyone who really wanted it already has one or if really needed plenty of used wii's out there for a decent price. I doubt this slimmer version is going to sell that much better. Honestly I don't which has a weaker library wii or gc.
I should rephrase that really. I understand the cost savings from removing the GC parts, but this late in the game it seems a bit silly. Taking into account the costs of retooling moulds and redesigning the PCB, is it really worthwhile? Obviously Nintendo think it is, but how many are they really expecting to sell at this stage in the console's life? I suppose that if they're planning on having both the Wii and WiiU available at the same time this brings some uniformity, as neither system will be backwards compatible. I'm sure that this last revision will attempt to close all methods of installing the HB Channel. Wouldn't surprise me if there's no USBs on the rear either.
No USB's would mean that various games wouldn't play like the Singit-Star games and the various Rock Band/Guitar Hero iterations that required a mic input etc. The only people I can see buying these are collectors who are just going to mothball them, anybody and everybody else either has one, has had one or will pick up one of the existing models second hand for next to nothing. What are they now in the UK, under £50 used and £99.99 new with the 2 Wii Sports games and Mario Kart? How they stayed on top for so long becomes harder and harder to fathom as time goes by.
Isn't it interesting that this new Wii with less features and the new PSP with less features are both EUROPEAN EXCLUSIVES for right now? Meaning both Sony and Nintendo have said they have no plans to release them outside of Europe.
The games will go up in price, not down. Also, this is about removing the GC memory slot, the ports which represent at least $10 in costs. We're talking a $99 wii, so it will be stripped down like crazy and probably be of poor quality as far as the laser goes.
I think they're trying to get any non-gamer hold outs that wouldn't mind having a Wii but haven't gotten one yet. Cutting features they won't miss saves Nintendo money and could get them more sales. I definitely think that removing the GC ports will help save money. Sucks when they remove features but oh well. Who knows what else they may be doing to cut costs. The point about lesser quality laser assembly is a valid concern I think. Atleast we can all take comfort in the fact that the Wii was hardly ever relevant and pretty much who cares what Nintendo does with it. Atleast that's how I feel about it.
Yeah... that's what I was thinking. Gamecube games are pretty much all I use my Wii for these days. If I had a component cable for my Gamecube I wouldn't need it for that anymore.
I hate it when people whine on about 'cutting features' with horror. You get what you pay for. You don't want to pay the price? Expect less. After all this time of the Wii being out there, pay the $150 if you want all the features. Otherwise get the $100 gimped system and STFU.
Hey Nintendo! Instead of a hardware revision how about some actual Wii games? It practically feels like the Wii is already discontinued. Dunno if they'll be able to sell many, the original Wii is extremely plentiful and used consoles can be had here for the price of a single new game.
Honestly, I wish I'd sold my Wii back when people were still willing to pay good money for them. Then again, my crystal ball was a little faulty and couldn't tell me there wouldn't be anything worth playing after SSBB.
