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Forums - Sales - Wii Mini ain't doing half bad

sethnintendo on 01 March 2013

@savisn, I like your post. It would be nice if there was internet but not having it isn't going to cause it to lose that many sales. I just would like it because I use streaming services a lot (Netflix, Hulu+). It would have been nice if there was a way to get it hooked up to the internet (through a USB LAN adapter but there probably isn't even any USB ports on this version (not sure)).  However, this is marketed for the people that completely missed the Wii last generation who probably aren't that interested in online gaming.  They are mainly just looking for a cheap system to give to their kids.



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TheLastStarFighter on 01 March 2013

I live in Canada and they seem to be pretty popular from an anecdotal perspective. The packaging looks good and they are cheap. I think it's too bad it doesn't have online, but I guess that it might be good for a kid's room.



Barozi on 01 March 2013
famousringo said:

So, reportedly the Wii Mini sold 35k units in Canada during December:

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33451

Considering VGC's NA numbers show a little over 400k Wii units sold during that period and the Wii Mini wasn't available in US, I think those numbers are pretty damn respectable. In fact, it's hard to imagine that the regular Wii might have sold that many units in Canada during the same period.


actually it's 35.7k from launch in December til the end of January.



Maris on 01 March 2013
Sal.Paradise said:
Wright said:
Sal.Paradise said:
Wright said:
I would have seriously bought this mini Wii (coming to Europe) if it had Gamecube support. Seriously, carrying TimeSplitters around in my pocket console, ready to be connected and played would have been awesome. Too bad they screwed the Gamecube support in this one...

It's really not that much smaller than a regular Wii...


Yet my mom's Wii fit in my military jacket's pocket (huge pocket). So a smaller version should fit in a smaller pocket!

It's simple. Very simple. Logic.

You're right, sorry. I need to get into the mindset of a person that carries their Wii around with them. 

I wouldn't. Once you do, there's no going back.



sethnintendo on 01 March 2013

Shit I still have my GameCube carrying case... Although, I use it to hold my GBA games and accessories.



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famousringo on 01 March 2013
Barozi said:
famousringo said:

So, reportedly the Wii Mini sold 35k units in Canada during December:

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33451

Considering VGC's NA numbers show a little over 400k Wii units sold during that period and the Wii Mini wasn't available in US, I think those numbers are pretty damn respectable. In fact, it's hard to imagine that the regular Wii might have sold that many units in Canada during the same period.


actually it's 35.7k from launch in December til the end of January.

You are absolutely right. I originally read this on Polygon, which cited the article I linked, but misreported the end date as January 1st in their article here:

http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/1/4042952/nintendo-wii-mini-moves-35700-units-under-a-month-in-canada



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Aj_habfan on 01 March 2013

The way it's advertised (not too heavily at all) make it seem like a less expensive Wii, just in red. I'm not too sure how many people are aware of the features it's missing, and to be honest, I doubt the majority will even care.



ASStronaut on 01 March 2013
savisn said:
I'm not surprised at all. What surprises me are all the negative reactions I see on sites bemoaning lack of backward support, no internet, no GameCube and saying Nintendo made an idiot move.

I understand it from a consumer standpoint that no Gamer would want this, but this isn't aimed at that segment at all. The goal is to be bare bones and inexpensive - period. I would consider buying this for my niece and nephew who don't have any system. They are 5 and 7. They will never buy a GameCube game. They don't need internet or VC and in fact their parents would probably be just as happy without that ability until they are older - no worries about them getting on some site they shouldn't. And I guarantee those kids couldn't care less about 480p (and their parents wouldn't bother to buy that cable anyway besides the fact it would probably end up on their old TV that I'm sure lacks component inputs). A used Wii could serve just as well at the same price but many people won't buy used for warranty purposes (or the though of giving a "used" gift doesn't appeal.

This is clearly designed for 1 thing - to provide the Wii catalog at the cheapest price possible. There is a market for that and it's not found on gaming websites or looking at teardowns on EuroGamer. Just because something isn't made for one demographic doesn't mean it won't be great in another.

In my mind the only valid criticism is with the WiiU struggling there may be some confusion with another SKU - but I don't think many consumers will struggle with something that runs $100 vs. $350 to realize they are different. Dropping the regular Wii may make sense at this point though and just let this be the final version. I think there are enough used regular Wiis out there for people that care about real features.

If Nintendo is smart they will take this version after it gets some scale to less developed countries. Its very low power consumption, low price and large library could give it a long lifetime like PS2 saw despite almost 0 new games getting created for Wii anymore.

Very good post. The haters just want something/anything to hate on.



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luigiman5555 on 02 March 2013

Wii Mini is barely smaller than Wii. Second model was unnecessary.