Budget shoppers looking for a quality gaming console (with a vastly underrated software library) for their families this holiday season need look no further than the Wii Mini, which offers gamers big fun at a mini price.
Nintendo has discontinued the Wii in Japan and Europe, but here in the U.S. the console that started the motion control revolution back in 2006 is getting a fresh release. The Wii Mini, a smaller, cheaper Wii with online functionality stripped away, is scheduled to begin appearing on U.S. retail shelves by mid November for a wallet-friendly price of $99.99. The matte black with red trim console will come in a bundle featuring companion red Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk controllers, and a copy of Mario Kart Wii.
To accompany the budget-conscious Wii Mini, Nintendo has cut prices on three Wii classics. Super Mario Galaxy 2, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and Wii Sports Resort are now only $29.99. The Nintendo Selects collection also includes games like The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Super Paper Mario, Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Sports and Punch-Out!! for only $19.99.
The Wii Mini looks great, but it seems like this could lead to more Wii branding confusion. I think regular non-gamer shoppers already have had a tough time figuring out the difference between Wii and Wii U. Now Nintendo throws in the Wii Mini with a new look and cheap price point. It just makes me wonder if the Mini will steal away sales from the Wii U. I guess it doesn’t matter since all the cash is going to Nintendo anyway.
Matt Litten is the full-time editor and owner of VGBlogger.com. He is responsible for maintaining the day to day operation of the site, editing all staff content before it is published, and contributing regular news, reviews, previews and other articles.
Matt landed his first gig in the video game review business writing for the now-defunct website BonusStage.com. After the sad and untimely close of BonusStage, the former staff went on to found VGBlogger.com. After a short stint as US Site Manager for AceGamez, Matt assumed full ownership over VGBlogger, and to this day he is dedicated to making it one of the top video game blogs in all the blogosphere.
Matt is a fair-minded reviewer and lover of games of all platforms and types, big or small, hyped or niche, big-budget or indie. But that doesn't mean he will let poor games slide without a good thrashing when necessary! 
