Hardware enthusiasts Wesk Mods and YvetalGriffin have created the smallest functioning Nintendo Wii with “Kawaii”. And by small, it’s the size of a keychain. The “console” is essentially a compact gaming device that uses passive cooling (read: no fan) and is very obviously designed for digital content due to its miniature yet easily portable size.
As with all “mini” things in the tech world, there are some caveats to Kawaii Wii. First, it does not accommodate any Nintendo Wii discs or traditional Wiimotes; the sheer size just means that there is no space to accommodate either. However, players can connect USB-C controllers and Gamecube controllers, the latter via the ports on the sides that also happen to be the biggest part of the keychain-sized console.
@YveltalGriffin and I have been cooking up something special over the past year or so and we are now happy to show it off.
A Wii console the size of a keychain!
CNC'd, anodized, laser marked, and passively cooled
Follow the link for more details: https://t.co/MgZT0ZBV6V pic.twitter.com/3trRBqoNiU
— Wesk Mods (@WeskMods) July 21, 2024
The operating system is open-source, suggesting the potential for emulation capabilities beyond its current functionalities. As for a release date, the Kawaii still doesn’t have an official release timeline. The modders had an initial run of 30 units at US$55 (~RM257) a pop. Those sold out almost immediately and while they haven’t set a new timeline for the next batch, it’s safe to assume that they’ve found their fanbase for it.
This isn’t the first time modders have cut open and altered the physiology of the Wii. Earlier this year, another modder created a Wii console about the size of a power bank, highlighting the fascination and ongoing innovation within the gaming community on reducing the sizes of existing consoles.
(Source: Engadget, TechSpot, Liliputing)
