New Wii same size as current model

By Tom Phillips Published 23 August, 2011

Only difference is cut Cube support.

The upcoming Wii redesign will be the same size as Nintendo's current model.

Despite the removal of GameCube controller and memory card slots, the new horizontally-orientated Wii still measures up to the original's 167 x 44 x 215.4 mm dimensions, according to ONM.

This means the only difference between the two models is the lack of GameCube game and peripheral support - a feature Nintendo's upcoming Wii U will also not provide.

The new Wii will be out in Europe by Christmas. Nintendo of America has announced it has no plans to launch the new design there.

It comes with a Wii Remote Plus and Wii Party packed in, alongside original bundle game Wii Sports.

Nintendo told Eurogamer that after the new model launches, the current Wii will be discontinued.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Phillips

Tom joined Eurogamer in 2010 and has quickly made his mark writing news and columns and coming up with puntastic straplines. Questionable beard. @TomPhillips151 on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Phillips archive page.

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Comments (61) Latest comment 9 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Phoenisis #1 9 months ago

    How exiting, a new revision with less functionality. You're on a roll here, Nintendo.

  • midnight_walker #2 9 months ago

    But... why?

  • Donaldthescotishtwin #3 9 months ago

    Completely pointless I'll keep my current wii thanks

  • TruSmiles #4 9 months ago

    I'm struggling to see the point of this? Do extra GameCube controller sockets confuse some people or something?

  • DreadedWalrus #5 9 months ago

    DAY ONE.

  • BonzoBanana #6 9 months ago

    Does it have anything better about it like extra flash memory or something? It just seems a downgrade in everyway.

  • Darkmessiah24 #7 9 months ago

    Pretty useless but who cares? The Wii U is coming out sometime next year.

  • Cadence #8 9 months ago

    It's the same size but does less. Hmmm, I can't really see the point. The fact I'd not be able to use my Wavebird with it is definitely a disadvantage. Presumably this is paving the way for the Wii U where you'll be able to play Gamecube games, but only if you fork out for them on the online shop. And they're not going to be cheap, knowing Nintendo.

  • Zozzilla #9 9 months ago

    Nintendo are turning into trolls.

  • mr_bez #10 9 months ago

    So the new model won't be launching Stateside but the old model will be discontinued? Does that mean the USA are going to stop selling Wii full stop or have I missed something?

  • RedPanda #11 9 months ago

    Post deleted at 14:31:59 28-01-2012

  • masterson #12 9 months ago

    I don't think anyone is suggesting you should replace your existing Wii with this one.
    Probably safe to assume that anyone that still want's a Wii is not going to miss NGC support.
    This "redesign" (it looks no different to me) is primarily for Nintendo's benefit (fair enough).

  • sega #13 9 months ago

    Yes, Nintendo, the art of the past and the history of gaming is not important. Let's forget all that came before to save a little money on manufacture.

  • Steve2911 #14 9 months ago

    So both Sony and Microsoft found the secrets to making their tech more efficient and fit in a smaller space, but Nintendo's ancient hardware is just too sophisticated to be scaled down?

    In 2011 the Wii should be the size of a chocolate biscuit.

  • wizlon #15 9 months ago

    Considering the GC ports go unused by 99% of users and it costs Nintendo to manufacturer the ports I'm amazed they haven't done this before now, seems fair enough to me.

  • dun0790 #16 9 months ago

    think nintendo need to do a sony and change management honestly nintendo you gave me my first and best gameing memories whats happening to you drugs,women..........men?

  • HyperTails #17 9 months ago

    I've decided to get a Wii in a few months as you can get good games pretty cheap for it now, and Skyward Sword has been the tipping point for me really. However, i'm currently deciding whether or not to wait for this or get the current Wii. Will this new Wii come with a price drop? If it doesn't, then Nintendo are just being cheap.

    Anyway, this thing looks like a Wii U, and even has the Wii name, so those casuals are going to look at the Wii U and not tell the fucking difference, much like the 3DS and DSi. People are right here, Nintendo don't know what their fucking doing, and if they don't sort themselves out they are gonna' get destroyed by Vita, PS4 and Xbox 720.

  • Golgo #18 9 months ago

    @Steve2911: lol, but surely you mean a digestive? Chocolate would have gone the way of reduced functionality.

  • FortysixterUK #19 9 months ago

    Second , cheap wii purchased for backup purposes......see's no reason to contemplate buying the Wii-U, goes back to GC collection and current crop of Wii games. Ponders possibilty that Nintendo are fucked.

  • Lymmusic #20 9 months ago

    Costs down.. Price down.... The last wii dreggs mopped up before wii u

  • Phoenisis #21 9 months ago

    The thing is, normally new hardware revisions are a way to get people who had previously been holding off to finally give in and splash the cash, knowing that they will now get a better product for their money. It makes them feel vindicated in holding off in the first place, and that in turn means that they'll be more willing to give in now, feeling that they made the right decision.
    But I doubt anyone will be thinking "Oh man, a new Wii, finally I'll be able to play blockbusters like Wii Sports, Wii Sports 2, Wii Pro Bowling, Wii Athletics, Wii Tennis and Wii Minigolf Xtreme without that nasty, vulgar GC port staring in my face, mocking me. BOOYA GRANDMA!". So it's a bit of a wasted opportunity. But I guess the Wii U Controller is just around the corner anyways, and I hear it will even be bundled with some sort of console, though that could just be an empty rumour.

  • Street89 #22 9 months ago

    WHY is Eurogamer full of complete fucking morons!?! This is designed so that Nintendo can sell the Wii for more profit, removing parts saves them money. It isn't designed for a bunch of dickheads who already own a Wii.

  • Steve2911 #23 9 months ago

    @Street89 - Everyone's well aware of that.

  • Zozzilla #24 9 months ago

    @Phoenisis - the Wii U IS a console, it's just the controller was the only vaguely interesting part of it and that's why they showed it at E3.

    EDIT: Wow, negged for saying the Wii U is more than just a weird tablet/controller thing, WHICH IS A KNOWN FACT? You lot are fucking lame.
    Edited by Zozzilla at 23/08/11 @ 19:30

  • MoGamer2006 #25 9 months ago

    Astounding comments on here. I know the Internet likes to moan over nothing, but ffs.

  • CallousB #26 9 months ago

    It's simply to allow for deeper price cuts. Which is a smart move at this stage of the game.



  • mr_pink #27 9 months ago

    How much money could they possibly save with such a move? Re-designing, launching and marketing hardware isn't cheap. I suppose they must have done their maths but it would seem like a pretty minimal saving surely? Perhaps they're aiming to claw it back with their 'new control' remakes. Some of the Wii's best games are gamecube games, it's a shame.

  • Street89 #28 9 months ago

    "How exiting, a new revision with less functionality. You're on a roll here, Nintendo."
    "But... why?"
    "Completely pointless I'll keep my current wii thanks"
    "I'm struggling to see the point of this? Do extra GameCube controller sockets confuse some people or something?"
    "Does it have anything better about it like extra flash memory or something? It just seems a downgrade in everyway."
    "It's the same size but does less. Hmmm, I can't really see the point. "

    yeah.....you all totally get it.

  • skunkfish #29 9 months ago

    The Gamecube was hardly a big seller in Europe. In all probability, 95% of Gamecube owners have already bought a Wii in the last 5 years. Nintendo are spot on with this, it's only gaming sites that are blowing it out of all proportion. Most likely Nintendo won't make a song and dance about this new hardware revision, it's merely to reduce costs by removing unnecessary (for most) functionality.

  • MoGamer2006 #30 9 months ago

    @Street89

    Exactly. I doubt we're looking at the future of British business on this site... :o

  • Markusdragon #31 9 months ago

    I'm assuming that they also didn't package it with a stand, hence the horizontal image on the box.

  • TonyHarrison #32 9 months ago

    Meanwhile, a French site somewhere is readying a report that you'll be able to plug your GC controller into the Wii remote, and it will work just like that.

  • Syrette #33 9 months ago

    I bet you guys wish you were as smart and business-savvy as MoGamer and Street.

    In your dreams, losers.

  • Daikon #34 9 months ago

    I play more Gamecube games on my Wii than Wii games.

  • skunkfish #35 9 months ago

    @tjtj

    Blackmailed by who? Sega perhaps? They might trying to sell some more Dreamcasts..
    Edited by skunkfish at 23/08/11 @ 13:35

  • Scirm #36 9 months ago

    Oh well. Most of people aren't using GC games so... For me this is no prob, but I will stick with my Wii. I prefer it standing than lying.

  • speedjack #37 9 months ago

    Wow.

    Just... WOW.

  • TheFrostedFireFly #38 9 months ago

    ME: "........................................"

    NINTENDO: "Errr........ Merry Christmas???"

  • Phoenisis #39 9 months ago

    @Street89

    Setting aside the fact that new console revisions with sleeker designs have proven a successful moneymaker over the years, the people who read this site are generally gamers. That is, people who play games, not people who seek to profit from people who play games. As such, why should we not criticize companies for putting out boring, uninspiring products? Our stake in this is the wish for interesting games and hardware, not the desire to maximize profits margins by cutting features. And between this, the Wii U horror show, the lack of top tier games for the Wii, and the botched 3DS launch, Nintendo haven't been doing too well in that regard lately.
    Edited by Phoenisis at 23/08/11 @ 13:58

  • WAusJackBauer #40 9 months ago

    EXACTLY as I thought, its purely to cut down on production costs.

  • addugg #41 9 months ago

    I don't get it. No seriously, I cannot grasp what the hell the point of this is.

    Is it going to cost a tenner? Second hand Wiis only cost £5 now, so surely this has to be cheaper than a bag of chips*.

    *Disclaimer, chips from a chip shop, not from say, Selfriges or Waitrose.

  • Sid-Nice #42 9 months ago

    I know the family on the box; they're really nice people.

  • SG #43 9 months ago

    And probably the same price. One of the best things about the Wii was its backward-compatibility.

    The GC controller was the best way to play Mario 64, Brawl and arguably Mario Kart. I just don't know what goes on in their heads, I really don't.

  • sugarbaron #44 9 months ago

    GC controller was a work of art. In fact its probably the best thing Nintendo have made in the past 10 years. RIP GC joypad, your ability to play games without looking like a spaz waving your arms around will be sorely missed.

  • Sid-Nice #45 9 months ago

    This new design is designed to cause confusion with the Wii U console when it is released on the 2/11/12.

  • jamesslater #46 9 months ago

    Well, guys and girls, if you don't own a Wii yet and want one that can play Gamecube games, you know what you have to do ;).

  • Phoenisis #47 9 months ago

    And some games are just more playable with a GC controller, especially games not really designed around the WiiMote in the first place. Twilight Princess, for example.

  • skunkfish #48 9 months ago

    I think their may be several cost savings for Nintendo here:

    Physical ports (and memory card slot)
    Circuitry and possibly controller chip no longer required.
    Slot-loading drive that no longer has to support 8cm discs.
    It will be interesting to see if the mainboard itself is significantly different to previous Wii's.

  • MoGamer2006 #49 9 months ago

    @skunkfish

    Exactly, that makes for a considerable saving in CoG that gives Nintendo wiggle room for cheaper pricing as the Wii enters its twilight years.

    Of course, the Internet would rather see this as a conspiracy to bring down gaming. :o

  • Ryze #50 9 months ago

    Wait - have they ANNOUNCED that this thing can't be vertically mounted?

    If so, then they've FUCKED UP AGAIN.

    I've only ever seen ONE Wii in anyone's home that's been horizontally mounted, and it looked ridiculous.

    Nintendo are really doing a 2005 Sony right now. I mean, really...

  • Canyarion #51 9 months ago

    What, no nunchuck?? >_< That would mean people can't even play Wii Boxing...

  • Collymilad #52 9 months ago

    Lol what a load of bollocks.

    So basically you've removed GC support and that's it.

    Lame. Really.

  • muttler #53 9 months ago

    I was thinking of re-buying a Wii next year, but one of the things I want is GC compatibility for all the GC games I missed not owning a GC last gen. No GC controller compatibility either... lame.

  • kassmageant #54 9 months ago

    how the fuck is that new design U MOVED THE NAME BY 90 DEGREEZ

    what happened to nintendo that went from DS phat to sexy beast that was DS lite : (

  • Mystery_Penguin #55 9 months ago

    I guess I gotta pick up one soon. I never bought a GC but there are some GC games I'd like to play: Eternal Darkness, Rogue Leader, Skies of Arcadia (if I can ever find a copy), Zelda Wind Waker.

  • Sabreman64 #56 9 months ago

    No-one gives a toss about Gamecube games any more. Except retro enthusiasts and they will already own a Gamecube.

  • Mystery_Penguin #57 9 months ago

    @Sabreman64
    Seems I am that No-one you're talking about :)

  • penhalion #58 9 months ago

    So I wasn't going blind then!

    In the last thread for this I said I saw no difference between the Wii I already own and the new one and everyone thought I was blind or stupid.

    I guess it just goes to show how many people don't use their eyes and just believe what they are told. Bit like the emperor's new clothes.

  • Stratix #59 9 months ago

    The idea is anybody buying one now is late to the party as far as gaming is concerned and will not need these features. Therefore, Nintendo can remove them and increase their profit margin. Shrewd move.

  • GiarcYekrub #60 9 months ago

    Well done Nintendo, just ordered a Wii before you knacker it

  • grussbarbar #61 9 months ago

    Gods, all the negativity on gaming websites keeps hurting my eyes and it seems to be getting worse and worse. What happened to our hobby being about having fun?

    Anyway, I think Nintendo held out pretty well, considering Sony decided to drop backwards compatibility with the vastly more popular PS2 much earlier in the PS3's lifecycle. As luckily several commenters have stated, most of the people interested in GameCube games would probably already have a Wii by now.
    Cutting GC support will allow Nintendo to divert resources to Wii U manufacturing, which surely would be in all our interests? It will also make more future price drops possible, helping to increase the gaming world even more. I've had many more people I can talk to about games since Wii debuted and I very much welcome any expansion a simple cheap model might be able to offer.