Nintendo shrinks Wii for Crimbo

Mini Mii for Canada

Nintendo has officially unveiled a new version of the original Wii console, a smaller, top-loading model that shows the Japanese firm hasn't quite given up on its old tech yet.

While many expected Nintendo's focus to shift following the arrival of the Wii U, the company clearly believes there's still a market for standard definition gaming and today revealed a new look for its best-seller.

The Wii Mini - which has literally just appeared on the Nintendo website - shrinks things down into a slick rectangular box with red trim. It comes with a matching red Wiimote too.

There is a downside, though, particularly for shoestring shoppers in the UK. Nintendo has apparently made this boy "available exclusively in Canada during the holiday season".

And the Nintendo Wii Mini "does not connect to the Internet and does not support online features in games", admitted Nintendo. It isn't compatible with Nintendo GameCube Game Discs or accessories, either.

The price has been set at a smidgin shy of the CA$100 mark, which equates to roughly £63 on this side of the pond.

So UK parents with their eyes set on filling their kid's stocking here with an affordable Nintendo console this Christmas will have little choice but to reach for the Wii slim revamp, released in 2011. ®