Nintendo and Sega team up on Sonic-themed Wii

Posted on 11 Oct 2011 at 10:57

Nintendo has announced a product that, in previous years, would have seemed impossible: a Sega-themed Wii console, coloured blue in honour of the world's most famous hedgehog.

For years, Nintendo and Sega were bitter rivals - so much so, in fact, that Sega famously used the tagline "Sega does what Nintendon't" as a tagline for some of its advertising. After the failure of its Dreamcast console, Sega exited the hardware business and now concentrates solely on software, which is often a good fit for the Wii's family-orientated branding.

The new Wii is possibly the closest thing Sega fans will find to a new Sega console: a Sonic-style blue colour, the bundle includes a new-style Wii, a matching Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuck set, a copy of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and a sheet of stickers.

Sadly for fans looking to pick one up, there's a slight snag: the Wii on offer is one of the new, smaller models which lacks key features of its larger predecessor. The built-in Wi-Fi support is axed in favour of a wired Ethernet connection, and the system is no longer able to play GameCube games or use GameCube controllers and accessories.

Despite that, the console is sure to find some willing buyers eager to get their hands on the limited-edition bundle - even as Nintendo works on getting its next-generation console, the Wii U, ready for release.

The Sega Wii bundle is expected to launch on the 18th of November.

Author: Gareth Halfacree

Get more reviews, tutorials and in-depth advice, every month with Computer Shopper.
Click here to try 3 issues for £1

< Previous News : Games Next >

User comments

Nintendo is following Sega's path. Their situation is going towards stepping aside from console market just like Sega did. They both should join forces in console and game business. Only then Nintendo would have enough exclusives to stand against Sony and MS. Also, it would mean that together they would probably make some badass consoles. Would be interesting.

By xboxer on 29 Oct 2011