Not long after the US launch of the Wii U, Nintendo has announced a new model for it’s last generation console, the Wii Mini.

This $100 is a smaller, cuter and less capable version of the original console. Gone are the ability to player GameCube games, browse the internet, Wii shop, Nintendo Channel, Weather Channel and of course with the lack of network connectivity, online multiplayer.

For most of the lot of us, this seems to be a last minute attempt by Nintendo to cash in on the dwindling Wii market for the holidays but for people interested in getting a cheapish, console that’s meant for just gaming, it’s likely to be a hit.

“It’s a great value for first-time Wii owners who just want to jump in and experience all the great Wii games that helped usher in a revolution in motion-controlled gaming,” the official Nintendo of Canada press release explained. As such, Nintendo could also be positioning the Wii Mini as a starter platform then enticing users to move on to the Wii U eventually. Comparing the original Wii and the now-top-slot-loading console, the Mini looks a hell of a lot better than it’s older, better equipped brethren.

The Wii Mini will be initially available surprisingly in Canada only starting December 7, with no word as to when this device will hit shelves elsewhere in the world.

source Kotaku