Nintendo Unveils Wii mini Console, Ships Nov. 17 for $99

With gamers focused on the next-gen PS4 and Xbox One release dates this month, Nintendo has taken a surprisingly last-gen turn today, unveiling a Wii mini console for the North American market. The original Wii was a cultural phenomenon, and although most people who would consider buying a Wii Mini already have the original system, you can never discount the gotta-have-it-all consumers in the gaming community. Especially when the Wii mini console will cost just $99.99. Oh, and it ships Nov. 17.

You can pre-order the Wii mini from Amazon to ensure you get your hands on one, if you’re not positive about finding one in stores. The Wii mini release date is strategically timed, smack dab between the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One, and virtually alongside the Skylanders Swap Force Wii U bundle. So, in light of all that impending retail foot traffic, an Amazon pre-order may be a good idea.

The Wii mini is a smaller, redesigned version of original Wii that plays the entire library of more than 1,300 Wii games. The compact system is matte black with a red border, and comes bundled with the Mario Kart Wii game, a red Wii Remote Plus controller and a red Nunchuk controller.

Nintendo realizes that the Wii mini can’t compete with the PS4 and Xbox One, which release before and after the Wii mini, respectively. That’s why Nintendo isn’t trying to compete. Instead, the company has billed the Wii mini as being designed “for families who want an additional console in another room, allowing siblings and friends to play while the rest of the family enjoys other entertainment and games on the main living room TV screen.”

The Wii mini does not support an Internet connection and thus does not allow online functionality when playing games. But online was never the big selling point of the original Wii, and the same-room multiplayer games that made the first Wii so popular can still be played locally on the Wii mini with friends and families.

As a companion to the Wii mini system, a large collection of Nintendo Selects Wii games will be available for $19.99 each. These games include Super Mario Galaxy, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Super Paper Mario. In addition, three newly discounted Wii games – Super Mario Galaxy 2, New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Wii Sports Resort – will also be available for $29.99 each. You can learn more about the overall system at its official website.