The Wii Mini -- Nintendo's rebadging of the six-year-old console -- launched yesterday in the UK, but it seems us Brits aren't too bowled over with it.
Staff at one of the UK's flagship Game stores told Techradar it isn't stocking the console due to a lack of interest from punters (though it does sell it online). "We've pretty much had nothing. None at all," they said. HMV also confirmed it's not stocking the console, though it might do in future if demand picks up.
It seems us Brits are either hooked on more throwaway games on our smart phones and tablets, or are waiting for the PS4 and Xbox 720 to touch down later this year. Nintendo's Wii U launched before Christmas, and has seen poor sales, with some outlets slashing the price, so it looks like Nintendo will continue to have a tough time here in the UK.
The Wii Mini originally launched only in Canada. It's smaller than the Wii, and cheaper too, costing just £80. It's lost a few of the original's features though -- there's no Internet connectivity, no SD-card slot, it won't play Gamecube titles, and there's only one USB port. Still, it will run the Wii's 1,200-strong back catalogue. And that matte-black finish and red border are rather fetching.
The Wii U, meanwhile, has been too confusing for the average casual gamer, just as Luke Westaway said it would be. The man knows his onions. Competition is coming from Sony and Microsoft, too -- Sony has demoed the PS4, though it still hasn't worked out how the console should look, and the Xbox 720 is rumoured to make its debut next month. Exciting times.
Did you pick up a Wii Mini? Or is it a waste of time? Can Nintendo still compete with the big boys? Let me know in the comments, or on Facebook.
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Comments 8
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Arby Bryce 23 March, 2013 10:35
Be abit hard for HMV to sell...Since they went bust ?
Jim Saunders 23 March, 2013 10:58
I have a Wii at home and rarely play it as it was never really as good or fun to play as the smiling loons on adverts make it out to be. Yeah it's great for 6 year olds but by having no DVD compatibility and the good games always being too expensive means that it never was going to be a serious machine. Not to mention that so many people think the same that you can get a second hand one for next to nothing and that has all the features. Another massive mistake was relying on wifi only for internet connection and the sheer lunatic ammount of accessories that now live in car boot sale boxes up and down the country. I go on... The controllers are absolutely cheap and nasty to hold with you having to strap them on. The first time I have faced Zelda and thought... Bollocks to this!
anonymous 23 March, 2013 11:42
As I and others have said, the Nintendo Wii was the casual gamers dream before quality smart phone games hit the market. The Wii has now lost its appeal of being non-mobile for the casual gamer. The Wii U barely has any novelty at all for the casual gamer due to its new controller seeing that all of what it can do can be replicated on a smartphone. The Xbox and the PS have always stuck to tradition catching onto motion control a little later which has worked well giving "hardcore" gamers and casual gamers the best of both worlds and so they will be triumphant in the the Next Gen wars incoming, just maybe not as successful as the Wii was back when it was first released.
Lee Hayward 23 March, 2013 13:15
The Wii U is to complicated for the casual market. Nintendo dropped the ball on this. I no of no one who has one.
Personally waiting for the PS4 to take my money
Patrick Cantellow 24 March, 2013 07:02
Ooooo, 3DS had bad sales, then the Wii U and now this..... Nintendo need to do something now
Jim Saunders 24 March, 2013 11:09
Nintendo are gonna end up like Sega. Just making Games.
anonymous 24 March, 2013 14:14
The problem is most people already have a Wii, those who don't can buy an older model preowned for £40 or less that has more functionality.
I also haven't seen this thing advertised much so the only audience that knows it exists don't need it. It also doesn't help to launch a new model Wii whilst it's successor is have an identity recognition problem.
anonymous 24 March, 2013 16:13
The Wii Sucked from day one, It had and still has No power, Won't play DVDs its crap. Really.
Now Nintendo have spent loads on making, the Wii u and no one is buying. Now there's a Mini Wii coming and that won't sell. lol Poor Nintendo. Take it from MS & Sony. Go powerful Go Big. Better look next time, if you can afford it.