Redesigned Wii same size as old model

The European Wii bundle that removes GameCube backwards compatibility is otherwise the same as the original Wii, right down to the dimensions.

13

The European-exclusive revised Wii is similar to the old model in most respects. In fact, it's even the same size. Although Nintendo announced it had been "reconfigured," its dimensions are staying at the (already fairly small) case size the Wii has always been. If, for some reason, you're having trouble fitting a Wii in your shelves, this isn't the solution.

The word on size comes from the Official Nintendo Magazine. The bundle removes the stand that allows the system to stand vertically, but the much larger feature removal is GameCube support. The redesigned Wii removes backwards compatibility for Nintendo's previous generation system, and loses support for Gamecube accessories as well. Given the omission, one would think the new console would, at the very least, be a bit smaller.

As previously reported, this bundle is only set for Europe with no current plans to bring it to market in North America. If you are a European reader with a hankering for Wii Party and Wii Sports, the bundle is set to launch this October.

Editor-In-Chief
Filed Under
From The Chatty
  • reply
    August 23, 2011 3:15 PM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Redesigned Wii same size as old model.

    The European Wii bundle that removes GameCube backwards compatibility is otherwise the same as the original Wii, right down to the dimensions.

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 3:35 PM

      Worst update ever. C'mon Nintendo.

      • reply
        August 23, 2011 4:42 PM

        I think it's been pointed out elsewhere that this could mean a price cut (a $99 Wii perhaps).

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 3:36 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 3:44 PM

      They could at least lower power usage or add some new functionality or something. Something to rekindle some interest in the platform.

      • reply
        August 23, 2011 3:53 PM

        its currently running at 13Watts. That's low enough that I bought a car adapter for my wii and take it on the road.

        • reply
          August 23, 2011 3:59 PM

          I wasn't sure what it ran at, that's why I added "or something". But yeah, 13 watts is really low.

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 4:24 PM

      This reminds me of software updates that remove functionality from your software...

      If I remember right the only new thing added to the Wii is a slightly faster GPU and nothing else... I'd take backwards compatability over a feature most games wont support for fear of not being runnable on older models. Funny how that works.

      • reply
        August 23, 2011 4:47 PM

        It is cheaper for Nintendo to make, so it is now going to allow them to sell it for cheaper as well.

      • reply
        August 23, 2011 4:54 PM

        it has a faster CPU, GPU and more memory... I have a feeling developers haven't really pushed the system to it's full potential.

        CPU / GPU / Memory
        Wii - 729 mhz / 243 mhz / 24 MB - 64 MB (1TSRAM GDDR3) - 3 MB cache
        Gamecube - 485 mhz / 162.5 mhz / 24 MB - 16 MB (ARAM) - 3 MB cache

        Front-side bus bandwidth / main memory bandwidth / CPU DMIPS / cache
        Wii - 1.944 GB/s / 3.888 GB/s / 1691
        Gamecube - 1.3 GB/s / 2.6 GB/s / 1125

        Texture cache bandwidth / framebuffer bandwidth / z-buffer bandwidth
        Wii - 15.52 GB/s / 3.888 GB/s / 7.776 GB/s
        Gamecube - 10.40 GB/s / 2.6 GB/s / 5.2 GB/s

        Source: http://www.pvcmuseum.com/games/vs/nintendo-wii-vs-gamecube-specs.htm

        • reply
          August 23, 2011 4:56 PM

          IIRC the Wii is about equal or slightly better than Xbox 1. The Wii does reserve a bit of CPU and RAM for the OS and the sensor bar.

          • reply
            August 25, 2011 5:39 PM

            This isn't really correct. There is no OS. Applications allocate memory for using the sensor bar themselves.

    • reply
      August 23, 2011 4:45 PM

      I love this because it is increasing the resale value of the old Wii. Just in time for me to sell mine ahead of the WiiU next year.

      • reply
        August 23, 2011 5:55 PM

        good luck selling one. there are a bazillion wii's out there. Anyone who wanted one has one, or can get it for $99 now

        • reply
          August 24, 2011 3:59 AM

          I just sold one including 7 games,or $250 on ebay. Granted the 7 games is likely what it made it sell - but its much much more than I expected to get for it. If you have games and accessories to sell with it - it still sells.

    • reply
      August 24, 2011 5:11 AM

      They were probably tired of seeing used gamecube games outsellng new Wii releases.

    • reply
      August 24, 2011 7:17 AM

      What they did to the SNES and GameCube was terrible; not sure if N64 got this treatment. They removed S-Video from the SNES and component video from the GC. I can see them dropping GC support from the Wii but FFS do not remove support for clearer video.

Hello, Meet Lola