Nintendo Joins the 'Cheaper, Less Functional' Party With a New Wii Model for Europe

The world has often looked to Europe for the latest trends to emulate. Apparently, the latest trend in Europe is cheaper, less-functional versions of gaming systems we probably already bought like three years ago. Following yesterday's news of a new Europe-only version of Sony'sPSP handheld that ditches wi-fi functionality and costs less, Nintendo has hopped aboard the train with a new version of the Wii that ditches GameCube support and also costs less.

Set to release this Christmas and effectively replace the Wii model currently on store shelves, this new SKU will remove any backward compatibility for GameCube titles, as well as the ports used for plugging in GameCube controllers. This of course means that if you're particularly fond of using the GameCube controller for any of your Wii games, you might finally have to bite the bullet and buy a Classic Controller.

Oddly enough, the new console also is designed to exclusively sit horizontally. The original model could be turned vertically or horizontally, so presumably this means that Nintendo may have just removed the plastic holder that let you set it vertically from the bundle package.

Nintendo hasn't announced a price for this smaller, sleeker, slightly neutered Wii bundle yet, but did assure that it will be out in time for this Holiday season. Again, this is currently only pegged for release in Europe at this time, but as with all things European, it seems likely that at some point, Nintendo of America will bring its own version of this bundle to the U.S. Though like all things we steal from Europe, it'll probably just be a less interesting, artistically bankrupt facsimile designed to cynically capitalize on the European version's rabid fans.

It'll be just like The Beatles and The Monkees all over again. Literally just like it.

Nice

I like the thumbnail.

Yo Dawg I heard you like Yo Dawg jokes, so we put a yo dawg joke in your article, so you can get carried away while you get carried away.

I thought I read somewhere that it was priced at 99 Euros? Either way at this point I think everyone who wants a wii already has one, the shame about the lack of gamecube slots is a lot of games on the system do play a lot better with cube controllers.

God damn it, I just bought a PSP Go and convinced my mother to give me her Wii!
 
This is slightly inconvenient!

@craigbo180 said:

I thought I read somewhere that it was priced at 99 Euros? Either way at this point I think everyone who wants a wii already has one, the shame about the lack of gamecube slots is a lot of games on the system do play a lot better with cube controllers.

My broke ass friend who wants to buy one will be somewhat pleased. Not so much about the lack of Gamecube support though. (Now that I've said it, isn't that a console name that sounds fake? Gamecube? Weird.)

@SockLobster: Why did you buy a PSP Go? And why is this inconvenient?

This just seems silly. From what I understand, those ports are the only additional hardware required to play GCN games. Further, some games play much better using the GCN controller than any of the other options (I'm looking at Smash Bros. here)

Good move.  I'd wager the GCN hardware added an extra $50 to the launch price.  Removing legacy controller support sounds iffy, though, but anyone who'd care about that sort of thing either owns a GameCube already, or isn't a customer.

I thought I read somewhere that it was priced at 99 Euros?

Alex doing a good job of illustrating how much he knows about The Monkees, but I get the point.

That's too bad because the Gamecube has some AAA titles.

I think this along with the PSP without Wifi are great ideas. More choice for the consumer and it allows people who are price sensitive to jump in. I'm sure most families couldn't care less about Gamecube support just like some kids couldn't care less about Wifi on PSP.

Speaking of which, where is The Monkees: Rock Band???

Oh man, you can spot an Alex Navarro article from a mile off. Loved it.

My broke ass friend who wants to buy one will be somewhat pleased. Not so much about the lack of Gamecube support though. (Now that I've said it, isn't that a console name that sounds fake? Gamecube? Weird.)

Not sure that this is going to have much impact. First, the wow factor of the Wii has long since disappeared. Second, there are already millions of these white bricks gathering dust. A lot of people have a Wii already, and generally don't have great things to say about it. Price sensitivity isn't really the issue. White elephant avoidance is.

I was all set to call this a really stupid move, but then I thought about it... everyone who would actually want Gamecube backwards compatibility already HAS a Wii.  So, why not cut out that, increasing your own profits, make it cheaper, and maybe sell a bunch more units.  So, I can't really fault Nintendo on this one at all.

That meme was actually pretty funny.

That picture had me cracking up and totally made my day!

Haha, Europe....

@craigbo180: Less stupid and more fake. Like someone who normally doesn't play video games was asked to come up with a fictional game console. Game(noun) sounds like its part of that category regardless.

I guess it makes sense. It's not like they're taking the GameCube support out of the dusty Wii I already have.

In theory I need those GameCube controller slots for Mario Kart (Wii and Double Dash).

So this is the answer to the UK riots and a bankrupt Euro?

Who knew getting rid of one of the two GameCubes duct taped inside that thing would be the answer to all of Nintendo's financial woes?

That sucks, since all the best Wii games are actually GameCube games.

So basically it costs as much as a PS2 now? I'm not sure I would choose the Wii if I were to see them side by side.

Goldeneye 007 & Super Smash Bros. Brawl just got a lot less fun to play without GameCube controller support.

Incredibly stupid, incredibly needless.

Seeing as the only okay way to play Brawl is with the GameCube controllers, this is bad news. That is, if you're intending to play that game. The Wii controls are horrific for that game.

Nothing about this is stupid. Its a cheaper version with less parts. The people who still don't have a Wii don't give a fuck about the 5 Gamecube games worth playing. Using your fucking head, clueless "real gamers".

Dat picture.

Also fuck this!

I'll probably wait until Wii U to play Wii games...unless Skyward Sword gets to me.

There are Wii games out there that support GCN controller only, and not a Classic Controller. Brilliant move, Nintendo.

Doesn't seem like the missing features will be a big deal breaker for most of the Wii's audience. I don't see anything wrong with these new cheap entry level models for nublets.

I wonder if this has to do with Wii U hardware. If both this new Wii and the Wii U share a lot of parts (same bluetooth, same optical drive, same USB controller, etc.) and they drop some of the stuff that the Wii U won't have (backwards compatability, ports, etc) it would probably save them a lot over continuing to pump out the existing Wii hardware.

For some reason, the concept of "slightly neutered" seems terrifying.

Nothing about this is stupid. Its a cheaper version with less parts. The people who still don't have a Wii don't give a fuck about the 5 Gamecube games worth playing. Using your fucking head, clueless "real gamers".

That sucks, since all the best Wii games are actually GameCube games.

the problem with buying a wii, is that you then own a wii.

Not sure if "we already bought" and "Sony PSP" belong in the same sentence.

I mean I guess this is a good idea... but I don't feel like people will go out in droves to buy this unless the price is crazy good.

Weird times for the games industry...

People still care about the Wii?  I'm sure the new Kirby, Zelda, and possibly Mario Party will extend it's life a bit, but come on!  My Wii has been untouched for nearly a year.  - That sounds kind of funny.

Xenoblade is just about to come out and some more interesting japanese titles are on their way to europe so this would actually be a pretty good time to pick up a cheap wii.

I doubt there is going to be much of an increase in sales. Just sounds like a last minute push before marketing the hell out of the Wii U... another Nintendo product I have no interest in.

Sucks, but then I doubt I would play many GC games, but I like having the option.

"How do we make our failed systems more appealing?" 
"Take out functionality!" 
 
Huh? 
 
I don't give a crap about playing Cube games on the Wii because I have a Cube already, but sometimes Cube controllers are just better for several Wii games, even over the Classic Controller.  Either way, between this and the no-WiFi PS3, I can't help but wonder if Europe's just being treated as a testbed to see just how little they can do with future consoles....

@Jimjamjaha said:

Xenoblade is just about to come out and some more interesting japanese titles are on their way to europe so this would actually be a pretty good time to pick up a cheap wii.

Exactly. Xenoblade does looks incredible. (out on Friday in EU)

But does this mean GC downloadable titles won't work on the new machine as well?

@CandleJakk said:

That sucks, since all the best Wii games are actually GameCube games.

Are we forgetting Mario Galaxy?

@ryanwho said:

Nothing about this is stupid. Its a cheaper version with less parts. The people who still don't have a Wii don't give a fuck about the 5 Gamecube games worth playing. Using your fucking head, clueless "real gamers".

And the people who still don't have a Wii don't care about the Wii, either. By the way, no one claimed to be a "real gamer", and you're not more of one for swearing.
 
@CandleJakk said:

That sucks, since all the best Wii games are actually GameCube games.

Man I haven't played a Wii game on my Wii in so long. I recently played through Majora's Mask. More engrossing than any Wii game I've ever played.