Costco in Canada is selling the wii mini with pikmin 2 for $80.

Shoulda bundled a MOTION CONTROL GAME. NOT MARIO KART AGAIN

This is a terrible decision.

Replacing the original Wii with the Wii Mini actually helps distinguish the Wii U since the Mini looks physically different than the Wii & Wii U.  I think it will reduce consumer confusion at the physical retail spaces with the less informed person.

Wii and Wii U with their similar look below:

Wii Mini with its distinct Red color and shape below: 

Well, Sony continued to push for the PS2 with a redesign and cheaper price points during the early PS3 era. PS3 was struggling a bit, I remember people saying that it was a mistake for Sony to keep the PS2 around especially since the early PS3 was backwards compatible with PS2 games.

Is Nintendo in the same position though?

Regardless of them looking different. Still having "Wii" on the market could potentially confuse or nab at sales of the Wii U.

Nintendo just don't get it this will hurt wiiu sales .whatnare they thinking.reggie needs to get fired

I guess it has a chance of passing the PS1 now.

That thing looks like one of those cheap Chinese knockoffs.

No internet capabilities? That's OK... most of the Wii's audience didn't know you could hook it up to the internet in the first place.

I don't think people are as dumb as some believe. The people that don't care for WiiU and wouldn't buy one regardless are the ones that don't know the difference.