European Wiis Won’t Be Backwards Compatible Much Longer

Nintendo’s getting ready to release a new version of the Wii over in Europe, but it turns out this edition won’t work with GameCube games or gadgets.

Hey, uh, Europe? We need to have a little chat. It’s one of those “good news/bad news” scenarios. Let’s start with the good news: You’re getting a cheaper version of the Wii! Now, for the bad news: The new console isn’t backwards compatible.

This revamped system, described by Nintendo as a “value Wii” will actually lose compatibility with both GameCube games and accessories. Not only that, but it’s designed to sit horizontally instead of vertically (though exactly how the system won’t work with a vertical stand isn’t entirely clear).

Nintendo, speaking to Eurogamer, explained that the new version of the Wii will be released sometime before Christmas. It’ll come in a bundle with copies of Wii Party and Wii Sports, as well as a Wi Remote Plus and Wii Nunchuk. Meanwhile the present version of the Wii will be phased out of Europe.

So, if you’ve got a bunch of GameCube titles that you want to keep on playing without keeping an extra console around – but haven’t picked up a Wii yet – you may want to head out to your local electronics retailer and snag an original version of the system while it’s still on store shelves. Sorry, folks.

Source: Eurogamer