Australia, You Get the Reconfigured Wii Console Too

good for families, I still prefer gamecube compatibility, a lot of classic games on gamecube!

Well if it makes it cheaper... people would be better off putting the Wii money in a term deposit for the Wii U though, since it will have Wii compatibility.

"Everybody's happy."

Yeah, right.

What the Falco?! I was going to get an unneutered black Wii for my bro either as his Christmas gift or just a gesture of broship! Now I learn that by the time I get it for him every Wii on Aussie shelves will be sterile?! >: [

Eh, he got total control of the GameCube when I bought my Wii back in 2007, so at least he can still play GCN games, but if that little black box breaks down, he'll be cut-off from his favourite GameCube gems. I shudder to think of the repercussions... O.O

It's kind of sad, but to be honest I actually spent more time playing GameCube games on my Wii than Wii ones.

I posted this is the North America Article but its relevant here so will post it again:

I cant believe how many of you are concerned about the lack of Gamecube support.

Surely everyone who is remotely interested in playing Gamecube games will already own either:

A. An origional Wii with built in gamecube support

or

B. An actual Gamecube console.

This new console is for people who dont already own either of the above.

The way some of you are carrying on you would think that Nintendo are planning to come round to your house, dismantle your existing Wii to remove the Gamecube support and while their at it snatch all your gamecube games and controllers away from you

@Rated_R_Superstar: I think a lot of the concern would more stem from the fact that if anything were to happen to either the Gamecube or the Wii, it'd be tough to go out and get a new one.

I know trying to get another PS3 with PS2 support was gonna cost me tonnes of money I wasn't willing to spend.

Also, getting progressive scan capable cabling for a Wii is much easier than getting it for a Gamecube.

@ChunkyDroid

I understand what you're saying but Its not difficult to pick up a pre-owed Wii for next to nothin if you really wanted one.

At least not where I live anyway

The 60gb PS3 with PS2 backward compatability was only available for a very short time and therefore they are more difficult to find but the Wii has been available for almost 5 years now so its not quite the same.

I prefer the Gamecube over the Wii actually.

Taking the Gamecube out of the Wii WILL be a problem or anybody who buys one but they don't know the difference b/c they aren't differentiating it on the box. The WiiU won't have Gamecube support but it's a different system, a WiiU which hasn't been advertised for 5 years having backwards compatibility. This may affect only 3 people but it will be a sucky day for them. Hopefully not Christmas morning.

And no, placing the Wii horizontal on the box is not enough of a difference. Making the price $99 should be required as you are no longer getting a Gamecube with your Wii. I need a place to plug in my DKJB bongoes.

@Rated_R: Not only that but some Wii games supported the Gamecube controller, which is also being taken out of this Wii iteration

The only region the reconfigured Wii is not announced for yet is Japan.

@Iz20XX Again though to my first point. Most people who are interested in Gamecube Games / controllers will aleady own either a Gamecube or a Wii.

I'm not trying to be difficult but what i'm trying to say is that this really only effects you if you dont already own 1 of the above.

This new "watered down" version is aimed at new comers to gaming, pretty much all hardcore gamers will already own the original Wii or Gamecube so this new model has no effect on their day to day lives.

This is why I can understand why people are getting so worked up over it

@Rated_R_Superstar It's this kind of rampant sense-making that we need to clamp down on at Nintendo Life. Reasoned, rational thought must give way to wild name-calling or we'll have to lobotomise you.

@Rated_R_Superstar - I agree. People have had 5 years to buy a Wii (much less an actual Gamecube) for the backwards compatibility. If they're really worried about it, they can now buy either machine dirt cheap in case of 'emergencies'.

Honestly, I'm tempted to get the blue Wii that comes with Mario & Sonic. That thing looks damn nice!

@Rated_R_Superstar: I also agree! And there's some 80-odd million consoles out there, so if mine ever break down I imagine I'll be able to find another one second-hand!

"Everybody's happy"

I'm not. Nintendo, taking away GCN compatibility from the Wii was one of your worst ideas ever! The GCN's still a great system. I love it! Oh well, at least I have the original Wii with that I can play GCN games on.

that is sad. I wonder if my friend will get it in time

What's really sad is that people are rationalizing Nintendo giving you less console for the same price. If Nintendo wants to take something away, they should, at least, drop the price.