Wii gets a makeover, loses GameCube compatibility

GAMESCOM: Nintendo has announced, via a tiny snippet at the end of its Gamescom press release, that it is to launch a new version of the Wii console this Christmas.

Simply referred to as the Wii Bundle”, the new hardware introduces a streamlined Wii console with a slightly altered configuration**, which is designed to sit horizontally, rather than vertically”.

The only detail confirmed so far is that compatibility with GameCube games and hardware has been dropped.

The bundle itself includes the new-look white console, a Wii Remote Plus controller, Nunchuck and copies of Wii Sports and Wii Party.

Nintendo has not yet confirmed either the launch date or the price. MCV is investigating.

UPDATE: Nintendo hasn’t confirmed a price, though MCV understands that the connections found on the top of existing models have been removed in this new version. The image on this story has also been updated.

UPDATE 2: The company has told Eurogamer the new Wii will replace all existing models once stocks run out in Europe.