This morning Nintendo revealed that it'll be releasing a new, slimmer Wii before Christmas - and we've got the first picture.
Nintendo have given us this, an image of the new 'Wii Family Edition' bundle, which includes the new slimline Wii, a Wii MotionPlus Remote and Wii Sports and Wii Party.
Unlike the current Wii, it will no longer play GameCube games and isn't compatible with the controllers.
So, have a good look and tell us: What do you think of the new console?
FIRST! Sorry, I've always wanted to say that.
Anyway, I don't see a picture.
Wow!!! Looks beautiful coz I can't see any picture.
HOW IS THAT BARELY WIDER THAN TE DISK SLOT!
It's hardly a redesign. It's just horizontal now and there's about half an inch of empty space gone. Ugh!
Is it me, or is there no picture here?
Looks like they've trimmed the fat on this one, and made it look a bit fatter in the process...
Still the same Wii in my eyes though.
I think that is a big mistake on nintendo's part as it looks similar to a wii u as they both sit horizontally, it will just cause even more confusion
the picture is on your computer screen. besides, all it is is a inch thinner wii with no gamecube compatablility.
The wii on that box looks pretty standard...
But regardless, seems like a quick move to keep sales of the wii up before the Wii U is released.
So this "new configuration" is just spinning all of the labels 90 degrees...
It looks the same...
Either ONM has put up the wrong picture or that's just a normal Wii placed horizontally... Are they taking the p**s?
Taking that back. It looks like a step forward to the Wii U. Expect nearer christmas for this to be called the 'Wii X' (Xmas)
Nintendo seem to have wasted their money here (It looks like the GameBoy Micro scenario all over again. Send out a better version of the same console and see what happens..but oh look. nothing)
It doesnt look to be any different, except the Wii logo has moved sidewards?
I see it, and I'm wondering why.
No really. I don't see why Nintendo would make this move. If the Wii U is coming out next year as they forecast, what's the point of releasing this model? A year or so ago would've been somewhat justified but... unless they have an epic software line-up for the Wii next year (which I doubt), I don't see any reason why people should buy this, the current Wii is fine as it is. This is nothing more than a waste of R&D money, even if Nintendo may claim that this model would be cheaper to manufacture than the existing one. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Dumb move Nintendo.
The Wii will most likely decline and fall away come 2012 (and certainly no later than 2013 I predict), it's already declining now because of the lack of decent software for the system.
Now there is a picture, it looks practically identical to the regular Wii, just sideways. Not interested.
I'm not seeing the point in this? Surely most who want a Wii, have a Wii right now, and won't be wasting there money to have there Wii take up more floor space.
No Gamecube compatibility = no point.
Looks ok,but I won't be getting it,as I would rather wait for the Wii U.
Yeah great for the people who haven't got one.
It looks like a thinner Wii U.
If this is under a £100 i will get one for the sake of it and the extra controller and game and use it to replace my wii which seems on its last legs hopefully it can handle skyward sword else i have to replace it but would love one last huurrahh from my wii
A bit daft really, as the Wii is already nice and small, as opposed to the PS3 and 360 - in my case I have a pre-redesign PS3 and had (for about 3 months) a 360 Elite - both of which were behemoths.
As people are saying it's just a filler before the Wii U comes out as a last attempt to get some sales out of it, but with the Wii U not too far away it's not a particularly great time to buy a brand new Wii.
For a minute I thought it was a Wii U design, buy I already own a Wii, I've been owning one since November 23rd 2007, The position of m Wii is not sideways.
Does anyone else think it looks like the Wii u??
I don't see why they can't make it play Gamecube games, as backwards compatibility is, and should be, a secondary function for any console, especially any home console. Still, it looks quite nice horizontally, and would be a perfect gift for young gamers or families that only plan on playing family games - although, it is a bit late in the Wii's life span to be releasing a new one, even if it did work for the PS2.
What's the point? It's just some cash-in scheme by Nintendo, trying to persuade us fans to give us a fairly large amount of cash for a smaller console that does nothing new. At least the PS3 Slim actually put more features in.
Oh, and what's this? It's no longer compatible with Gamecube games or controllers? Boo, Nintendo.
They might improve the power of the system and upscale most Wii games. Heck they might put a DVD player in it.
pointless money grabing gamecube dissing asswipes
So it does everything my one does, and loses a bit of functionality along the way.
I'll pass
In a nutshell, its a downgraded Wii. Rather pointless. If anyone is still yet to buy a Wii, I'd suggest they buy an older Wii, or wait for the Wii U.
i agree with the most on this just an excuse to get more sales. the thing that annoys me more though is there calling it family edition. how exactly are existing wii not family edition. nearly every advertisement for the wii since its launch has involved families why is this so different. the only good thing is that it has wii party since its never been bundled.
OMG FIRST!
So when the Wii U comes out everyone is going to think it's just this thing with a new controller...
The fact that it won't play Gamecube games is poor, I wouldn't get it anyway but I see no reason to stop the compatability.
I have an actual Gamecube for my Gamecube games, seems to read discs better than my Wii, but I'd still rather have my old console WITH GC support instead of a new one without.
That just looks the same as a regular Wii. I was disappointed before I clapped eyes on this. Shame on you, Nintendo.
The wiimotes with motion plus built in are a nice touch. I might have to get one, especially considering as that's likely to be the standard for all multiplayer Wii-U games.
Console itself gets a B+, for bundling Wii Party and Resort. The console itself isn't anything special and I'd never get one as I use mine to play GC Animal Crossing primarily, but lets face it, casual gamers are the Wii's lifeblood and this will no doubt hook a few new buyers over the christmas period.
I'd let you off if you were 2nd or 3rd poster, but this is page 2, buddy. You fail.
As if there isn't enough confussion about the wii u! Nintendo are so dum sometimes, they have the worst marketing department in the entire world, this is the most stupid thing I think they have ever done. I'm starting to lose faith.
OMG A WII ON IT'S SIDE. IT'S AMAZING. I think really unless the price is lower they should just scrap this
It's nice to see them trying to sell more Wiis for Christmas. But have two centimetres less plastic is definitely not worth getting rid of Gamecube compatibility.
I know most families who would buy this wouldn't care about playing Gamecube games (although using the controllers is useful for Wii games too), but I don't think most would even be able to tell the difference between the two consoles.
The PS3 and 360 were originally huge. The size was a problem. The current Wii is already tiny, it would never put anyone off buying it.
I don't think the increase in sales that this will make will equate to the design and manufacturing costs of the redesigned console.
ummm... why? What's the point in this? They were better off just letting the Wii die gracefully, it's had it's time.
Is this actually new? I've been doing that with my Wii since I first got it. All they have done is remove the backwards compatibility which is, ironically, kind of a step backwards... I don't think that even the boundless Nintenthusiasm of the ONM team can disguise that this is the most pointless update ever...
taking away the backwards compatibility is a step backwards - its as if they are getting rid of a whole library of games - which they cent cash in on in the first place - considering they dont sell new gamecubes/games
this has probably already been asked / answered - but will the Wii U be able to play gamecube games?
Looks the same as the original wii. I thought the wii couldnt get any thinner as its quite slim already. Wont be getting this as i like playing Gamecube games on my wii.
Was there a point? The WiiU is coming out next year, and all this has managed to do is remove one of it's functions (gamecube compatibility). I mean, y ou just tilt your existing wii on it's sid e and it'll be fine. There's no point for this
From the picture is doesnt look thinner, it looks as though they have just slightly changed the design of the buttons. I don't really see a point for this redesign, the wii is fine the way it is.
oh god i feel sick...
Makes me laugh when people spell dumb wrong.
Back to the point. It looks very similar to my Wii but white instead of red because I have mine horizontal. It's hardly that much smaller. I think Nintendo would have been better off releasing some coloured Wiis.
No gamecube support = no classic controller? Also does this mean they'll release more New Play Control titles?
This new console is only for "Noobs"
it looks almost identical. these will sell, obviously, but really, nintendo this is unnecessary. concentrate on the wii u
So it can't play gamecube games or GC controllers?
What a horribly downgraded console.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoYWdHe4tQ4
My Wii is already on its horizontal side. Because I like having my K.K. Slider plush sit happily on top. I don't care that the logo is the wrong way round. Its more cooler that way. I'm not gonna fork out for a new Wii just to have that logo moved. And to not be able to play GC games. And so that K.K. Slider won't fit right, with his doggie flab hanging over the edge, suspended in midair. Looks pretty though. But no.
As much as I love nintendo, this was simply stupid. What next, a Wii or Wii U XL?
Looks the same, utterly utterly pointless. It's a worse system because no GC, marketed to simply make money, not to innovate at all. Anyone who buys this might as well burn their money, the Wii U is just around the corner anyways...
I'd buy it if I didn't already have a Wii and never wanted any GC games (I'm lying, that would never happen) but why? Let's make a console we've already made and make it worse!
They're really just putting this out for anyone who doesn't actually have a Wii yet. Considering it's called "Family Edition", they're obviously trying to get those last few pockets of cash that they haven't got yet.
They're doing this for the last Christmas before the Wii is replaced by the Wii U, some have said it's a stupid move on Nintendo's behalf, but I can see their motivation in doing this. So what if it doesn't have gamecube compatibility, the sort of people buying this don't need gamecube compatibility. Look at the packaging design of the box, it's aimed at the casual market who wont use gamecube controllers.
I don't see how it differs from the previous wii in size? But I do think that having it sideways is more appealing, as I can never have my wii standing up, as it always falls over, and I'm scared it'll break, so having it on its side is a really good idea.
Is this really necessary?
Just what the hardcore fans wanted!
A futuristic looking next gen console that separates itself from the Wii *cough*
Nintendo have really splashed out on this new design I mean rotating the Wii logo around 90 degrees: genius
Nintendo will have the same problems with Wii U as the 3DS because it looks exactly the same
It may not be that much slimmer but it's still a good marketing word. That in combination with the family image, included games and lack of Gamecube support points to the casual market. They certainly wouldn't care for Gamecube games.
More importantly though it's what's inside that counts (or lack therof). Components are probably now much cheaper and removing the GC controller/memory card components must have massively cut down on the production costs. It's like that wifi-less PSP launching this year for 99 euros.
I'll bet when the price is announced for this model it'll make much more sense.
To be honest, I think it would be a waste of money buying a Wii right now with a Wii U around the corner.
Personally I can't really tell a difference, but surpose it is nice for people who haven't got a Wii and can have one with slim and smooth style.
i think this wii is realy not necessary.
God they must be getting desperate
kinda pointless if you ask me
Looks better than the original... Should have been the original design in my opinion.
Good to see the Wii has not been abandoned and will continue to sit alongside the WiiU, DS and 3DS. You know, just like how the GB Micro stood next to the DS.
Maybe the whole "family bundle" idea is actually a clever ploy to keep all the "family" and "party" rubbish being developed for the now cheap, cheerful and childish Wii leaving the "Hardcore" WiiU free of shovelware. Even if it's not a deliberate plot I kind of hope that it works out this way anyway. I don't want my new console full of lazy minigame compilations, I want lots of generic and repetitive shooters, obviously.
Cool design, but no Gamecube games or controllers = massive no-no for me! I still play gamecube games occasionally, and always use the controller for Brawl.
...this is a failure
Why no compatibility with Gamecube software / hardware? Strange.
What was going through their heads when they made this?
"Hmmm, you know that small Wii console that we made?"
"Yeah"
"I think it'd be a great idea if we made it smaller, and uncompatable with anything to do with the gamecube."
"You sir, are a genius!"
Smaller, fair enough but still unnecessary. I'd have included at least one GC controller port.
Last minute sell out! And I'm not just saying for that, the lack of Gamecube game compatabillity is just flawed... Terrible!
Nintendo should of made a mini gold wii with skyward sword bundle. I would of bought that just, but this if it's say £50 I'll pick on up just for the sake of it
I'm not quite sure why the Wii wasn't horizontal in the first place. I know they're fixing that with the Wii U but if they'd have done it originally it could've just sat on top of your TV box in the first place. I don't know why they're doing it now, with the Wii U coming soon(ish!)
However, I do quite like the look of it, after all that!
It...looks exactly the same
Stupidity. You mean it only does less than the original Wii and doesn't look much different? That's absolute stupidity,
Wait, it doesnt play Gamecube titles? I missed that the first time I read this article. Why Nintendo?
slimline wii -_-?
The wii is a wee baby aniways...
Also killing gamecube support will kill the deal for anyone who knows anything about the wii.
There isnt a game my household plays without at least 1person needing a gamecube pad at one point in the gaming session.
Looks almost identical, doesn't play gamecube games and isn't compatible with gamecube controllers. Good going, Nintendo ¬_¬
Seems a bit pointless as the Wii is going cheap everywhere and has the ability to play Gamecube games, but it probably won't stop families who don't know much about video games from buying it and maybe the even-cheaper factor will make it worthwhile.
Im guessing this will be VERY cheap.
Silly move for nintendo though unless they change the look of the Wii U. Casual players just wont see a huge difference.
RIP Gamecube
I make my own sideways Wii at home. And mine will play GC games.
I love the new model, especially the blue around the disc slot!
It's definitely made to look like the Wii U.
However, the lack of GameCube and other controller support is a big down, why Nintendo? Why not just make one perfect??
I really don't see the point in this... It looks like the current Wii (and I can reference to mine right now, plus I already have it on its side) and I can't notice any differences except the text which is made to be read with the console on its side.
A rather stupid move in my opinion. If the Wii U is coming soon then, surely, most people are going to simply wait and buy that? Considering this Slimline Wii has also lost the ability to play Gamecube games and use the controllers I really can't see the point.
No backwards compatability means a big no buy for me, even though I wouldn't buy it anyway!.
Plus its not exactly like the wii is all that big and I like it standing vertically too
.
It looks almost exactly same.
And surely if you were going to buy a Wii, you would of by now?
I agree with the above comment, if you want a Wii you'd probably have one by now and apart from sitting horizontally and being smaller it's no different to the original. Except it's less desirable because it doesn't play Gamecube games.
Still if people can get it cheap and they just want something for the family it'll probably sell over Christmas.
Hmmm... Okay, then.
Well, I commonly use my Wii as a GC and most for compatible games I use a GC controller. I couldn't play SSBB or Goldeneye properly on this new Wii. I mean, most people have a Wii now, don't they? With all the price cuts, bundles, advertising campaigns, special offers, you'd think anyone who would want one, or is on the fence about getting one would have bought a Wii by now. I know Ninty haven't done as well as they would have liked with the 3DS, I just hoped this wont have put them in a worse situation. I really don't get the "slim" side to it anyway, the normal Wii isn't exactly chunky, does it really need it at the expense of GC compatibility, a whole console itself? Anyway, I guess Ninty know better than I do, and hopefully will get this to sell. It's just with the Wii U in mind, I really am looking to move forward now.
This is a really pointless re-hash of an already excellently designed console. Why remove GC compatibility? It makes no sense!!
My Wii does sit horizontially and is in the same room as my computer and i just spent 5 mins looking at it then the picture then it the the picture... still can't see the diffrance.
At first I thought it was a WiiU, then I saw it was a Wii and started thinking, ok, I need my own Wii so I can play games without m brothers kicking me off it, that and Ijust got Chibi-robo, then I saw that it has no GC ports, and can't play GC games, so I'm thinking, I've always supported nintendo, even if it has had me bullied, but to be honest, whats the point anymore (apart from Metroid that is).
Is there another picture that i'm missing besides the one of the 'Family Edition' packaging... Because I literally brought my Wii up to the computer screen to compare the size of the two. The space between disc slot and the buttons, the space from the disc slot to the edges, and it all looks about the time.
I can't actually see the redesign whatsoever...
Still, this can't be as bad as the new PSP model that Sony announced... 3000-E, no backlight adjuster, Mono sound, shorter battery life, no Memory Card slot, and more...
As with that case, there's no need to get this, unless it's dirt cheap and you don't have GC games to play.
I believe that Nintendo shoudn't of changed the Wii's look, so close to the Wii's end. However this is kinda like the stepping stone between Wii and Wii U.
I did this! And I agree, unless they've chopped a bit off the long end, there's been no size reduction at all.
Just thought I'd make a comment on the horizontal thing. I have my Wii vertical simply due to space on my desk. It's not huge like the 360, so the chance of knocking it over is relatively small. If the WiiU is horizontal only, goodness knows where I'm going to put it when I get one.
looks just the same as the old wii with a few very minor changes.
It's a bit hard to get excited about a new wii since Nintendo will soon be killling it off in favour of Wii U. I thought every household already owned a Wii, too.
I'll be honest, it doesn't look that much different. I have my Wii horizontally, and it looks almost exactly the same as this. The disc slot looks uglier as well.
not a new design, it's just been put on it's side
and not having gamecube feature is terrible, most of the games I play on the wii atm are gamecube ones
Oops, they knocked it over.
Erm...... its not very slim.
So this is just a different shell for the Wii, but with much less hardware and software compatibility?
Why did they even bother?
What's the point???
for £100 you can get the old style wii or for probably £180 (don't know actual price but that's what the wii started off at) you can get then new wii with less features this seams Nintendo's new way of ripping its customers off.
D:
I feel many of you are missing the point this is like the 3DS price drop so the profit can be made on software nintendo won't make profit on the console which i expect will be around £60 and for me as my wii is dying it will do just so i can play skyward sword so dont hate enjoy
Why should it matter which way you place your Wii. I have always had mine horizontal so why should it sound like it's a big deal.
No GAMECUBE COMPATIBILITY! WTF, what will happen to those poor old neglected purple pads? At least I keep mine plugged in the Wii for a game of Smash Bros. After playing Melee for so long, I couldn't adjust to a normal Wii controller for Brawl so thats why I love the purple one. The Cube may be dead but the pad lives on!
Plus, it really does not seem that much thinner.
It just looks like it's going to cunfuse the non-gamers to thinking the Wii-U has come early (although the Wii-U is rounded whereas the -ugh- "Wii Family Edition" -ugh- is still squared) like how some saw the 3DS as the next upgraded current model of DS rather than a new machine to continue down the road as basically DS2.
I should say that those "ugh"s are out of disgust!
It looks the same, just with the buttons in slightly different places.
they are just wasting money putting these into production
money that can be spent on the production of the wii u
WHY NINTENDO WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Wii has always been optional anyway, either on the stand or laying down on its side. The Wii U doesn't even look the same, it's curved and the buttons are in different places and it's made of a different plastic shell...
No GameCube pad compatibility is just stupid. What was the point in this console? I don't see why it needed an (inferior) re-design for it's final push. It's not as if it's not 'slim-line' already.
This Wii is rubbish !! Its not as good as the Wii we have now ! No GameCube slot,This is a step back.
By the way,Nintendo,the original Wii can be placed horizontally as well and if you really want Wii Sports that bad if you lost it ,Buy it in Nintendo Selects.
YOU MIGHT AS WELL JUST WAIT FOR THE WII U!!!
Worst. Redesign. Ever.
It not that different, im not really interested anyway.
Actually I kinda feel that it's weird, to redesign a slimmer version of the home console seems like a playstationy thing to do.
Can't play Gamecube games?!
http://pinstripebindi.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/i-said-what.jpg
wii nu?
this is the most pointless idea nintendo has ever had
What.
WHAT
Guys Microsoft AND Sony have done this. Look at the ps3 Slim, can't play ps2 games anymore. The Xbox 360 can't play most normal Xbox games and that is hat Nintendo want to do! the Wii U isn't coming out for another good year, they're trying to do what MS and Sony did. And it worked for them!
Looks like a wii on it's side with too much cake.
Lack of gamecube compatability is ridiculous and cant really see any big difference
Officially Nintendo's dumbest announcement since the DSi XL -_-
The Wii U will be the next gen console for Nintendo, so if the Wii is about to become the last generation console by the time Wii U comes out, why even remove a feature that was one of the main selling points of the Wii to begin with and just downgrade a console that may be obsolete in a couple of years time??
For the DSi, it made a bit of sense to remove GBA support because there were some distinct features not found in the normal DS such as the camera and photo editing, sound editor and most importantly, the DSi Shop to download exclusive games to make up for the lack of GBA support (Even though the service for the DSi shop was pretty crappy).
For this, what's new enough to abandon this feature? Some extremely minor button layout and a size that looks barely the same?
Blatantly just to make more money basically, especially if they don't reduce the price for the Wii as it is.
What on earth! That's fantastic Nintendo! Produce a console that actually goes backwards in development. So they think people will spend their hard earned cash on a console that has less features than the original Wii, but lies horizontally? I genuinely cannot believe that Nintendo, having to watch themselves a bit due to heavy market competition, actually waste their budget developing this tatty rubbish that will not sell. If they want to do anything: get the Wii U out faster!
Too much fiddling with a good thing if you ask me
Don't Like this new wii due to the fact it cant play gamecube games
^ ^
^The definitive statement.^
Also it's a little late for a redesign if you ask me. ( They've already announced a new console! )
it looks the same apart from its fell over and so have the buttons. NO gamecube compatability means that they have saved 2 cm on a teeny tiny console allready.
the name should be somthing like the wii's last hurrah!
and what about the gamecube, that didn't get a goodbye? they should make an extremely tiny gamecube with the emulator in. that could be £30 . then you could have a slimlined console.
then buy both and you've got a wii for 90 quid.
Gamers Edition Please? After all, this was meant to affect all people and gamers, right?
Come on guys, sony and microsoft did this before. its a way of gettin money. A company needs money.
Yeah but Nintendo are gonna lose money with this, no one is gonna buy it. I hope with all this uprising that Nintendo change their mind.
This would seem pointless if it wasn't even CHEAPER (hint hint Ninty) or had a DVD player in it.
R.I.D.I.C.U.L.O.U.S. Full Stop. I don't like to say this, but I think I'm starting to turn away from Nintendo.
I looked at it for 2 minutes and couldnt spot the difference. Oh wait, its horizontal.
I think that Nintendo are trying to get more money from the Wii's last bit of life before the Wii u#U comes out. Also, it's a downgraded Wii that is horizontal without any Gamecube compatibility, it is completely pointless and if they wanted this model they should have released it earlier
Finally, I think that they are ripping people off by giving them a Wii with less capability and one that looks like a Wii U
I never thought I would say this but Nintendo are being cheapskates here 
It looks very similar to the original model to be honest but we need to see them side by side for a size difference. I myself sold my wii a long time ago so this will be perfect for me so i can play skyward sword. hopefully it will be even more energy efficient as well.
That is so stupid. Cant play gamecube? Stupid, Stupid, Stupid. Are Nintendo trying to forget the Cube altogether?
rubbish whats the point in buying it if it wont play gamecube games and you cant get youre downloads on it
Sorry, but I call willy-move. The removal of GC compatibility is completely uncalled for, not just because being able to play every GC game ever (that was released within your region) was awesome but also because it means the controllers can't be used. I know that the Classic Controller Pro softens the blow as it's a more viable alternative than the original Classic Controller, but if you happen to already have a GC controller then the Pro is just a purchase you shouldn't have to make and means basically giving back the money you've saved by buying the cheaper version, which isn't much anyway!
Also, the announcement of Wii U doesn't seem to have reached too many people in the casual crowd, but has been mostly confined to the hardcores. I pity anyone who thinks that this being the new version of the Wii will keep it from being obsolete for a long time, when really another new version is less than a year away. If Nintendo HAD to release this they could have at least done it sooner.
Basically this whole thing is a joke. They're trying draw all the attention to the lower price, but price cuts are actually meant to be getting the same for less, but this is less for less.