wii Mini

[Ashen]

Looking at those pics, I'm going to bet when someone cracks one of these open they'll find a standard Wii motherboard in there. Most likely with all the connectors ports and everything still there.

[andzlay]

I find it's not looking like a game console from nowadays. more like a red SNES with a CD drive.

[emu_kidid]

yeah, it's been confirmed there's no SD Slot, but Ashen may be right about the standard mainboard in there with connectors just missing. Lets hope so, I'd like to see homebrew running on this just for the hell of it

[Benni]

@emu:

Do you allready own one?

[emu_kidid]

it's being shipped now

[Benni]

Where have you bought it?

[emu_kidid]

eBay

[liquitt]

btw, i would've thought it would be a lot smaller than the standard wii, hence it's name - MINI
not really mini though

[wii_HD]

btw, i would've thought it would be a lot smaller than the standard wii, hence it's name - MINI
not really mini though

Mini refers to the feature set remaining after removal of Slot drive/GC/WiFi/SD Card/Internet functions.

Still it did not deter me from ordering one.

https://www.videogamesplus.ca/product_i ... s_id=20581

[wii_HD]

Reviews up.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/06/nint ... -hands-on/

Looks like another feature is missing - component video

How low can the cost savings go Nintendo.

I sure hope emu and others can restore some pride to this poor wii.

[noobcube]

The Wii Mini design is sort of like a super Gamecube, except it does not support GC games. If it were not so crippled, it would make a nice compact unit for media playback and playing full size DVD Gamecube backups. Bad enough that there is no network or SD support, but lack of component video just tops things off. Hopefully the modding community will be able to overcome these shortcomings.

[noobcube]

Hmm... wonder if that unused area in the middle at the front was intended for an SD port?

Edit: Looks like (unused) connector P13 might be for Wi-Fi, not SD. Even so, Wi-Fi would make it more usable, assuming that HBC could be installed somehow.

[megalomaniac]

right under the serial number bar code sticker on the left:

the dvd drive connection looks more like the GC drive port...but a little different in size and with only 30pins
....so no plug and play WKF/WODE

most likely since there is no GC support, then there is no reason to have the additional GC audio streaming pins...(assuming those specific pins were not required for anything else other than GC audio streaming)

[Sintendo]

Since it has a single USB port, couldn't you just use one of those Wii LAN adapters and go online through that?

[Ashen]

Well I'll be damned.

[Diminuendo]

that thing does look right tiny. If the SD card function can be restored I think this would be a great portable

[Benni]

And for HD Video - use a hdmi-key...

So i don´t see any problems...

Why not to hook ub a SD Card Reader via USB?
WII Lan Adapter for USB...

So, there is everything we need available.
BUT: Does it work?
This need to be tested...

[wii_HD]

For those asking but need did read the review over @engadget linked to on page 3 here - you can not just plug in a usb lan module and expect it to work ( they tried ) the firmware on this machine is different just look at the barren menus

Nintendo could have at least put some effort in the look of the OS - a different theme or even a straight direct boot no menu would be better than what is there right now

[Diminuendo]

might be able to steal firmware from an earlier wii and install it on a mini to make the LAN adapter work.

[megalomaniac]

i dont see the mini getting much real support by looking at the board...
it would be possible to install a WKF/WODE, but only the brave will attempt, and seeing as how it might not sell much, those chances are kinda slim....but it could be done.....assuming: no issues with the firmware to recognize the WKF/WODE as a "drive"

also, it does not look like any "easy" possibilities to add SD either...so adding a different firmware with no SD or no WKF/WODE may be an issue...and all the other disc hack methods to install HBC are useless without SD...

agree with wii_HD, does not look like any effort was put into the mini other than hardware redesign and (temporary) roadblock of modchips/softmods

not to mention, i dont think many dealers will be willing to develop and produce a modchip for a console which will see very little sales

[wii_HD]

Okay its arrived.







Uploaded with ImageShack.us

The first thing I noticed was the flip top lid flys open (Nintendo saves more money) - not a nice smooth motion like the GC.

Composite lead at the ready but I dont have any time to plug the mini in today so I will try some ntsc discs later.

[emu_kidid]

Does it have a power LED or reset button?

[wii_HD]

^ It as the same red/blue off/on led located in the power button. No reset button.

Funnily enough in red state you can see the led through the thinner plastic side panel.

I used my UK wii power supply without problem and also RGB scart works - have not tried component yet but not expecting that to work as reported elsewhere. Plus I do not have a true three plug S-Video cable to test either.

As expected Japanese wii and any GameCube discs do not boot.

Firmware is stripped down 4.3U

[Cubelover]

have not tried component yet but not expecting that to work as reported elsewhere.

Why should component not work?

[wii_HD]

There is no option to switch to component in the menus.

engadget tried a cable in their review plus http://techforums.nintendo.com/message/81838