The New Wii Mini: Nintendo, What are You Doing?

I have noticed that there are three major development paths companies can take to attract consumers to their new consoles. These paths are traditionally: Impressive hardware, excellent online community, and what I like to call the "ooh look shiny" approach. Sony has traditionally taken the first path; releasing unattractive black bricks that burn with the power of 1000 suns, but produce almost PC-level graphics. Microsoft with the Xbox 360 has focused on community and while their graphics have begun to look dated in recent years, you could make a very good argument that the Microsoft retains perhaps the strongest hold on the market because of its online community.

As for Nintendo, I don't know what to say. Apparently after the last rash of success with motion controllers (that never worked very well and had the same lasting appeal as Lindsey Lohan's singing career) Nintendo decided to embrace the "ooh look shiny" approach and released the Wii U. Yes, it is more powerful than the Wii but yet the only new appeal of the console is the touch-screen controller. Somehow, despite millions of advertising dollars spent, a fancy touch-screen is all that has really been represented to the public. To this day, even after its release, if I walked up to someone and asked them what the Wii U is, I think 75% of them would say it is a controller.

"No it's a console."

"So it's a handheld that interfaces with the Wii?"

"No, no, it's a seperate console. You plug it into the TV. It's not a handheld."

"...Wat?"

Nobody knows what the console is and I can hardly blame them. Nintendo has spent so many advertising dollars focusing on the Wii U touch screen controller they have completely glossed over the actual hardware bit that you plug into your TV. It's even called a "Wii," so small fucking wonder there is confusion. 

Now in a bid to attract more console owners, Nintendo has released the "Wii Mini" exclusive to Canada and available for purchase starting on December 7th. I'm guessing the release of a mini console was meant to ape the success of the Playstation slim over the years in dragging out hardware purchases. The problem with this concept is that the Playstation is traditionally a giant black brick that can single-handedly heat an entire household. The slim versions cut down on both the size and nuclear meltdown features so they were not only welcomed by consumers, but would sometimes be bought even if the person already owned an older PS3. The Wii never had this problem. It is already small, aesthetically pleasing, and is running on old hardware anyways so there isn't any reason to go slim.

O contraire, mon frere.

The Wii Mini is extremely cheap but it cuts out both GameCube compatibility and internet access. This means that it has no ability to patch or update games which, in our current development model of "get it out the door before it can brush its teeth" this could be a big problem. Still, for a financially crunched family, something is better than nothing and despite my reservations, the little red wonder retails at just $100 which is well within the affordable range of most consumers. This also places the console potentially in the grasp of charity organizations. Picking up three Wii Mini's for the price of one Wii U is a significant boon to these organizations and I wouldn't be surprised to see a large number of Wii Mini's hitting the trucks come Child's Play.

It costs them pennies on the dollar to make. They'll probably make millions.

Well played Nintendo. Well played.